In this episode, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks speaks to the world-renowned political philosopher Michael Sandel about how we can return to a politics of the common good.Producer: Dan Tierney Series Editor: Christine Morgan

In this episode, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks speaks to the Harvard cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker and the American philanthropist, Melinda Gates. First, Steven Pinker outlines his reasons for hope for a better world, drawing on themes from his recent book ‘Enlightenment Now’. Melinda Gates explores what motivated her and her husband Bill to dedicate their lives to philanthropy and explains who her moral role models were when she was growing up.Producer: Dan Tierney Series Editor: Christine Morgan

In this episode, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks finds out who young people see as their moral role models in the 21st Century and explores powerful reasons for hope for a better, more ethical and more responsible world.Contributors: Steven Pinker, Harvard cognitive psychologist, linguist, and author; Melinda Gates, Philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Heather Templeton-Dill, President of the John Templeton Foundation; David Brooks, political and social commentator and author; Jordan Peterson, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto; Michael Sandel, political philosopher and professor at Harvard University; Students from The Manchester Grammar School, Manchester High School for Girls, Loreto College in Manchester, Graveney School in London and Queens' School in Hertfordshire.Producer: Dan Tierney Series Editor: Christine Morgan

In this episode, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks continues his exploration of the moral challenges posed by AI, by speaking to Nick Bostrom, Philosophy Professor at the University of Oxford, who was one of the first to warn of the dangers of “superintelligence” in his book by the same name.Producer: Dan Tierney Series Editor: Christine Morgan

Join Mustafa Suleyman, the Co-founder and Head of Applied AI at DeepMind, as he dives deep into the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence. He discusses the moral perils of data misuse and the urgent need for accountability in AI, especially regarding issues like criminal justice. Suleyman also reflects on the importance of collective morality in an age of self-help, emphasizing communal responsibility. Plus, he addresses the complex impacts of social media on teenagers, advocating for a balanced approach to technology.

Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind, and Nick Bostrom, philosophy professor at Oxford, dive into the ethical maze of artificial intelligence. They discuss the urgent need for moral frameworks as AI reshapes society. Topics include the risks of superintelligence, the potential for mass unemployment, and AI's role in surveillance. Suleyman emphasizes human oversight and empathy in tech development, while Bostrom warns of the dangers of unchecked AI progression. Together, they explore how these advancements could redefine human purpose and values.

In this episode, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks travels to Harvard University to speak to the political scientist Robert Putnam about what we mean by ‘society’, starting with a discussion about his seminal book, ‘Bowling Alone’, in which he described the loss of what sociologists call ‘social capital’ – the benefits we get from our social networks.Producer: Dan Tierney Series Editor: Christine Morgan

In this episode, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks travels to New York to interview Jonathan Haidt, Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University, who reveals his concerns about what he sees as a new destructive form of tribalism in society.Producer: Dan Tierney Series Editor: Christine Morgan

For most of history, societies have been held together by a shared moral code. But half a century ago, the West embarked on a great experiment: a move from "We" to "I," from "We're all in this together" to "I'm free to be myself." Recently, there's been a reaction against individualism in favour of the group. But what's returned isn't a sense of society as a whole, but rather, subgroups, defined by faith, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. What's lost, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks argues, is our sense of collective belonging and the common good.Contributors: Jonathan Haidt, Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University; Robert Putnam, Political scientist and Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University; Students from Loreto College in Manchester.Producer: Dan Tierney Series Editor: Christine Morgan

David Brooks, a renowned New York Times columnist and author focused on character and social dynamics, engages in a thought-provoking conversation. He critiques the excessive individualism that has emerged since the 1960s and reflects on his missed insights regarding the rise of Donald Trump. The discussion navigates the crucial balance between individualism and community, highlighting the importance of relationships over resume virtues. Brooks also connects historical lessons to modern identity struggles, emphasizing the need for meaningful social connections in today's fractured world.