Philosophy For Our Times

Cognitive scientist Daniel Kahneman, psychologist Ellen Langer, and philosopher Hilary Lawson discuss perception bias, decision-making, truth, variability in biases, openness vs. structure, expert guidance, AI surpassing human intelligence, and the role of AI in future discourse.

Michael Shermer, American science writer and historian, discusses how conspiracy theories undermine objective truth, create cult followings, and what objective truth might look like. He explores the emotional appeal of conspiracies, historic instances like MK Ultra, and the influence of charismatic personalities on beliefs. The conversation also delves into the parallels between religious beliefs and conspiracy theories, the impact of the 2020 election conspiracy theory, and strategies for engaging with entrenched conspiracy mindsets.

The podcast features Suchitra Sebastian, Philip Goff, and Hilary Lawson discussing the mysteries of emergence. They explore the concept's role in understanding consciousness, free will, and life. Critics debate if emergence truly explains phenomena or if it's a misleading illusion. The discussion delves into quantum physics, superconductivity, differentiation, consciousness, and panpsychism, challenging traditional views and proposing new perspectives on reality.

Peter Singer, Daniel Markovits, and Carol Gilligan discuss reevaluating the Golden Rule, exploring tolerance in democracy, navigating moral laws, nurturing relational capacities for an ethical society, valuing diverse perspectives, and expanding ethical principles to include distant strangers, animals, and future generations.

Professor and psychologist Dan Ariely discusses the psychology behind misbelief, including stress-induced narratives, cognitive biases, and personality traits leading to irrational beliefs. The impact of misbelief on society, behavior, and the difficulty in changing entrenched beliefs are explored in this insightful podcast.

Cognitive psychologist Donald Hoffman discusses his Interface Theory of Perception, challenging traditional views of consciousness. He explores the non-fundamental nature of spacetime, connecting consciousness to fundamental physics. Hoffman proposes that our perception is like a desktop interface for survival, not an accurate representation of reality.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, discusses the role of religion in a secularized world, climate activism, and interfaith relations. He shares insights on leadership, writing, and the importance of solidarity in contemporary society.

Australian philosopher Peter Singer and Mary Midgley discuss animal rights, challenging human superiority and promoting utilitarianism. They debate animal pain perception, ethical treatment, species barriers, and valuing human life over animals.

Join leading minds in physics, Priyamvada Natarajan, Avshalom Elitzur, and Bernard Carr, as they discuss the enigma of energy. They explore the mystical nature of energy, its role in the universe, dark energy, and the embrace of mysticism in the search for truth. They also touch on energy's presence in ecology, biology, and its interplay with matter and antimatter.

Philosopher Michael Della Rocca challenges traditional philosophy by advocating for a radical interpretation that questions common sense. He explores the idea of reality as a total unity without distinctions or relationships, prompting us to question why we haven't challenged everything before. The podcast delves into the complexities of language, ethics, and the blurred lines between rationality, morality, and mysticism in philosophy.