Julian Baggini

Julian Baggini, a philosopher and author known for his work with The Philosopher's Magazine, explores how philosophy can illuminate modern politics. He discusses the importance of attention in decision-making and critiques groupthink across all ideological spectrums. Baggini emphasizes the need for humility and self-questioning in our thought processes. He challenges the notion of polarization, suggesting it can be nuanced rather than purely negative, and argues that people still value truth despite a crisis of authority.

Julian Baggini, britischer Philosoph und Bestsellerautor, teilt seine Erkenntnisse aus Reisen in Ostasien. Er erklärt, wie Konzepte wie Yin und Yang das westliche Denken bereichern können. Harmonie und individuelle Freiheit müssen kein Widerspruch sein. Zudem beleuchtet er die interkulturelle Wechselwirkung zwischen Individuum und Kollektiv, am Beispiel von Jazzmusik. Auch diskutiert er, wie wir unser starres Weltbild durch den Einfluss asiatischer Denktraditionen erweitern und Vorurteile hinterfragen sollten.

In this enlightening conversation, philosopher Julian Baggini explores the essence of political philosophy, advocating for values over rigid labels. He examines the allure of populism and offers strategies for addressing its rise. Baggini shares insights on the importance of pragmatic politics while celebrating character and virtue. He also dives into the ethics of AI, questioning its potential as a philosopher. His advice on tempered pessimism and enhancing communication is a must-hear for anyone interested in clearer thinking during turbulent times.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss self-examination. Socrates, the Greek philosopher of the 4th century BC, famously declared that "The unexamined life is not worth living." His drive towards rigorous self-enquiry and his uncompromising questioning of assumptions laid firm foundations for the history of Western Philosophy. But these qualities did not make him popular in ancient Athens: Socrates was deemed to be a dangerous subversive for his crime, as he described it, of "asking questions and searching into myself and other men". In 399 BC Socrates was sentenced to death on the charge of being "an evil-doer and a curious person". Two thousand years later, the novelist George Eliot was moved to reply to Socrates that "The unexamined life may not be worth living, but the life too closely examined may not be lived at all". For Eliot too much self-scrutiny could lead to paralysis rather than clarity. What did Socrates mean by his injunction? How have our preoccupations about how to live altered since the birth of ancient Greek philosophy? And where does philosophy rank in our quest for self-knowledge alongside science, the arts and religion? With Dr Anthony Grayling, Reader in Philosophy, Birkbeck, University of London; Janet Radcliffe Richards, Philosopher of Science and Reader in Bioethics, University College, London; Julian Baggini, Editor, The Philosopher’s Magazine and co-editor of New British Philosophy: The Interviews.

Join historian Bettany Hughes, travel journalist Mary Novakovich, philosopher Julian Baggini, and others as they dive into the ever-evolving meaning of travel. They explore the allure of ancient journeys and the significance of the Grand Tour, while Baggini questions the assumption that travel broadens the mind. The conversation touches on the impact of social media on authentic experiences, the roles women have played in shaping travel narratives, and the challenge of balancing planning with serendipity for deeper encounters.

Join philosopher and popular writer Julian Baggini as he delves into the vital connections between our food choices and broader philosophical themes. He discusses the complexities of modern food systems, questioning capitalism’s role in exploitation. Baggini highlights environmental issues like destructive fishing practices and emphasizes the urgent need for systemic changes to combat food waste and injustices faced by farmers. His insights prompt listeners to reflect on ethics, sustainability, and the significance of conscious eating in today’s world.

Philosopher Julian Baggini, philosopher of biology Ellen Clarke, and radical philosopher Ben Burgis debate the relevance of scientific facts, questioning the role of experts and the need for transparency in scientific communication. They discuss the pluralism of expertise, the role of values in theory building, the challenges of following science, and the importance of trust and reassurance during uncertain times.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the mind/body problem in philosophy. At the start of René Descartes' Sixth Meditation he writes: "there is a great difference between mind and body, inasmuch as body is by nature always divisible, and mind is entirely indivisible. For when I consider the mind, or myself in so far as I am merely a thinking thing, I am unable to distinguish many parts within myself; I understand myself to be something quite single and complete. Although the whole mind seems to be united to the whole body, I recognize that if a foot or an arm or any other part of the body is cut off nothing has thereby been taken away from the mind".This thinking is the basis of what's known as 'Cartesian dualism', Descartes' attempt to address one of the central questions in philosophy, the mind/body problem: is the mind part of the body, or the body part of the mind? If they are distinct, then how do they interact? And which of the two is in charge?With Anthony Grayling, Reader in Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London; Julian Baggini, editor of The Philosophers' Magazine; Sue James, Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London.

The writer Sarah Bakewell explores the long tradition of humanist thought in her latest book, Humanly Possible. She celebrates the writers, thinkers, artists and scientists over the last 700 years who have placed humanity at the centre, while defying the forces of religion, fanatics, mystics and tyrants. But placing humans at the centre isn’t without problems – critics point to its anthropocentric nature and excessive rationalism and individualism, as well its Euro-centric history. The philosopher Julian Baggini guides the listener in unpicking the tenets of humanism. His latest books is How to Think Like a Philosopher: Essential Principles for Clearer Thinking.Humanism may have relegated the divine to the side lines, but for the characters in Leila Aboulela’s novels faith and devotion are integral to their sense of themselves. In her latest book, River Spirit, set in Sudan in the 1880s, her young protagonists struggle to survive and find love amidst the bloody struggle for Sudan itself.Producer: Katy Hickman

Julian Baggini, a renowned philosopher and member of the Food Ethics Council, dives deep into food's ethical dimensions and its global impact. He examines the balance between animal welfare and practical activism, critiquing utilitarian views. The discussion also tackles the philosophy behind cultured meat, scrutinizing its practicalities versus traditional methods. Baggini explores the complexities surrounding GMOs, advocating for informed food choices. Additionally, he highlights the emotional and social significance of food and shared meals, revealing their philosophical depths.