

Philosophy For Our Times
IAI
Philosophy for our Times is a free philosophy podcast bringing you the latest talks and debates from the world’s leading thinkers. We host weekly episodes on today’s biggest ideas in news, society, culture, politics, science and arts. Subscribe today to never miss an episode.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 23, 2020 • 26min
Doing Wrong To Do Right | Stephen de Wijze
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesIs it possible to do a morally wrong action in order to do what is morally required? To help us answer this question we're joined by political philosopher and author Stephen de Wijze who explores the 'dirty hands' idea.Stephen de Wijze is senior lecturer in political theory at the University of Manchester. His work is concerned with the interface between ethical constraints and effective political action. He co-edited (with Eve Garrard) Thinking Towards Humanity: Themes from Norman Geras in 2012.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=doing-wrong-to-do-rightSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 16, 2020 • 43min
Morality and Humanity | Simone Schnall, Joel Robbins, Rae Langton
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesIs being good an innate component of the human condition? Or is morality just a story we tell ourselves rather than a set of rules we must follow?Psychologist Simone Schnall, Cambridge philosopher Rae Langton and anthropologist and author of Becoming Sinners Joel Robbins rethink meaning, morality and what it is to be human.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=morality-and-humanitySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 9, 2020 • 52min
Unpacking The Ethics of Covid-19 |Susan Neiman, Peter Hitchens, Patricia Churchland
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesWhen it comes to making risk-reducing decisions how does one strive for ethical and responsible outcomes? And how do we make any choice, if saving one group of vulnerable people has a disastrous impact on another?To help us explore the ethics of the pandemic we are joined by moral philosopher Susan Neiman, analytical philosopher Patricia Churchland and conservative journalist Peter Hitchens.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=unpacking-the-ethics-of-covid-19See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 2, 2020 • 41min
The Margins of Language | Stanley Fish, Genia Schönbaumsfeld, Hilary Lawson
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesWe use language every day to communicate with others and understand the world. Yet, from metaphors to the mystical, there are many things we seem unable to directly express.To help us explore the limits of language we are joined by eminent literary critic Stanley Fish, Wittgenstein expert Genia Schönbaumsfeld and post-realist philosopher Hilary Lawson. Joanna Kavenna hosts.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=the-margins-of-languageSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 snips
May 26, 2020 • 41min
How to Make the Right Decision | Jason McKenzie Alexander
In this engaging discussion, Jason McKenzie Alexander, Head of Philosophy at the London School of Economics, delves into decision-making and the cognitive biases that cloud our judgment. He challenges listeners to understand how evidence and intuition interact, highlighting pitfalls in reasoning illustrated by medical testing examples. The conversation also explores the complexities of coincidences and how they impact perception, alongside a fascinating case of gender bias in university admissions. Alexander emphasizes the role of narratives in shaping our decisions, exposing the flaws in human reasoning.

May 19, 2020 • 12min
Knowledge Resistance | Åsa Wikforss
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesWith the rise of 'fake news' and the publicising of blatant lies, how important is it to reassert the importance of accuracy and truth?Åsa Wikforss is a professor of theoretical philosophy at Stockholm University. Wikforss is a member of Swedish Academy whose research focuses on the intersection of philosophy of mind, language and epistemology, ans in 2017 Wikfoss published Alternative facts. On knowledge and its enemies, a book that has had a great impact in Sweden.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=knowledge-resistanceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 12, 2020 • 28min
Mysteries of the Mind | Markus Gabriel
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesIs the brain a conscious control centre? Where is my mind? Many believe the mystery of consciousness will be solved once we understand the physical brain. Philosopher and author of I Am Not A Brain Markus Gabriel challenges scientific complacency and argues for a different view of the self, the mind and human freedom.Markus Gabriel is a German philosopher and author at the University of Bonn.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=mysteries-of-the-mindSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 5, 2020 • 37min
In Search of Freedom | Paul Broks, Julian Baggini, Hannah Dawson, Hilary Lawson
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesIs there space left for individual autonomy when we are constrained by our genes, manipulated by technology and shaped by the cultural zeitgeist? Should we conclude that the very idea of freedom was a mistake, which once abandoned will enable us to reframe human behaviour and success and create a more equal society?Historian of ideas and author of Life Lessons from Hobbes Hannah Dawson, post-realist philosopher Hilary Lawson, neuropsychologist and science writer Paul Broks and author of Freedom Regained Julian Baggini ask who's really in control. David Aaronovitch hosts.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=in-search-of-freedomSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 snips
Apr 28, 2020 • 16min
How To Overcome Wilful Blindness | Margaret Heffernan
Margaret Heffernan, author of Wilful Blindness, discusses the dangers of willful ignorance and the importance of confronting uncomfortable information. The podcast explores the impact of willful blindness on decision-making, problem-solving, and personal growth, while emphasizing the need to break free from the trap of obedience and conformity.

Apr 21, 2020 • 41min
Philosophy Vs Authority | Noam Chomsky, Deirdre McCloskey, Mark Lilla
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesWe know authority is dangerous yet we assume it is necessary for society to work. Should we dream of a free and flourishing world without leadership and rules? Or do we want and need leaders and authority to feed our hopes and dreams?Philosopher Noam Chomsky, political scientist Mark Lilla and professor of economics Deirdre McCloskey ask whether we need authority at all.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=philosophy-vs-authoritySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.