
The Socratic Sessions
The Socratic Sessions explores humanity’s biggest questions—delving into philosophy, theology, history, science, and the enduring mysteries of religion.
Latest episodes

Nov 15, 2024 • 1h 18min
The Improbability Principle: Unravelling the Odds | David J. Hand | The Socratic Sessions | Ep #21
🔍 Overview: In this episode, Professor David J. Hand delves into the intriguing world of probability and chance, revealing how seemingly rare and improbable events are actually quite common, and how understanding these patterns can reshape our perception of the world and the decisions we make.
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🗣️ Highlights
[Highlight 1]: How do statistics enable us to understand chance and probability?
[Highlight 2]: Do we live within a deterministic clockwork universe?
[Highlight 3]: What does probability teach us, and how can we apply it to life?
📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)
Imperial College London
Improbability Principle Website
The Improbability Principle by David J. Hand
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#probability #odds #chance #luck #statistics #data #philosophy

Nov 12, 2024 • 10min
Probability and Outrageous Events: David J. Hand on The Law of Truly Large Numbers
🔍 Overview: In this clip, statistician David J. Hand delves into 'The Law of Truly Large Numbers,' which posits that any seemingly outrageous event is likely to occur given enough opportunities. He clarifies the distinction between the traditional Law of Large Numbers and the Law of Truly Large Numbers, shedding light on how scale affects probability and the unexpected occurrences in our universe.
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📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)
Imperial College London
Improbability Principle Website
The Improbability Principle by David J. Hand
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#probability #odds #chance #luck #statistics #data #philosophy

Nov 8, 2024 • 6min
From a Clockwork Universe to One of Chance and Probability w/ David J. Hand
🔍 Overview: In this clip, David J. Hand explores the philosophical shift over the last 300 years from the belief in a clockwork, deterministic universe to today's understanding of a universe governed by probabilistic causes and events. Hand discusses how this transition has led us to recognise the significant role of chance and uncertainty in shaping the world around us.
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📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)
Imperial College London
Improbability Principle Website
The Improbability Principle by David J. Hand
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#determinism #clockwork #probabilism #universe #philosophy

Nov 5, 2024 • 9min
Synchronicity and Superstition: Humanity's Search for Answers w/ David J. Hand
🔍 Overview: In this clip, statistician David J. Hand explores how prescientific and ancient cultures explained synchronicity and highly improbable events through beliefs in gods, spirits, luck, and even superstitions like black cats. Hand examines humanity's deep need to connect causes with effects, revealing how this drive has shaped our understanding of the world throughout history.
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📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)
Imperial College London
Improbability Principle Website
The Improbability Principle by David J. Hand
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#synchronicity #superstition #improbability #history #philosophy

Nov 1, 2024 • 1h 46min
Godless Normative Realism | Erik Wielenberg | The Socratic Sessions | Ep #20
🔍 Overview: This episode with Professor Erik Wielenberg explores objective moral reality and what it looks like if there is, in fact, no God to substantiate it. Erik and Sam also explore various other areas of his book, 'Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe'.
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🗣️ Highlights
[Highlight 1]: How can morality be objective if there isn't a God?
[Highlight 2]: If we don't have free will, can we really make ethical decisions?
[Highlight 3]: What are axiomatic necessary ethical truths, and how are they instantiated?
📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)
Erik's Website
Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe by Erik Wielenberg
A Debate on God and Morality: What is the Best Account of Objective Moral Values and Duties? by Erik Wielenberg & William Lane Craig
God and the Reach of Reason: C. S. Lewis, David Hume, and Bertrand Russell by Erik Wielenberg
William Lane Craig v Erik Wielenberg | "God & Morality" | NC State - Feb 2018
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#morality #realism #atheism #ethics #virtue #value #philosophy

Oct 29, 2024 • 11min
Erik Wielenberg on Religion and the Courage to Face Reality
🔍 Overview: In this clip, philosopher Erik Wielenberg explores humanity's reliance on religion as a source of solace against the evils we encounter and the unknowns of the future. He then challenges this view by discussing how courage enables us to break free from the need for religious comfort, accepting that death is final and that this life is all we have. Wielenberg argues that facing reality without illusions is the path to true freedom.
🤝 Support The Show 🤘
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📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)
Erik's Website
Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe by Erik Wielenberg
A Debate on God and Morality: What is the Best Account of Objective Moral Values and Duties? by Erik Wielenberg & William Lane Craig
God and the Reach of Reason: C. S. Lewis, David Hume, and Bertrand Russell by Erik Wielenberg
William Lane Craig v Erik Wielenberg | "God & Morality" | NC State - Feb 2018
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#religion #reality #atheism #theism #death #freedom #philosophy

Oct 27, 2024 • 25min
Original Sin: A Choice We Never Had 🐍🍎
✍️ Substack: If you'd rather read than listen, you can do so over on Substack!
🔍 Overview: A few people have contacted me following the publication of ‘Christianity: My Desires For and Some Arguments Against ✝️🤔’, and I wanted to respond to three of the main threads I've noticed in their feedback.
Interestingly, most of the pushback centres on my second argument against Christianity—Humanity's Fallen State. In this video, I’ll address these thoughtful critiques by exploring the concept of Original Sin vs. Individual Sin, how I think the historical credibility of Original Sin should be weighed, and whether 'biblical logical consistency' is a reason to accept Original Sin.
Join me as I dissect the complexities of this fundamental Christian belief and how it shapes our understanding of human nature.
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📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)
Christianity: My Desires For and Some Arguments Against ✝️🤔
Knowledge, Reality, and Value: A Mostly Common Sense Guide to Philosophy by Michael Huemer
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#christianity #doubt #sin #philosophy #god #theism #atheism #religion #faith

Oct 25, 2024 • 7min
Erik Wielenberg on The Divine Guarantee of Perfect Justice
🔍 Overview: In this clip, philosopher Erik Wielenberg explores the concept of 'The Divine Guarantee of Perfect Justice.' He questions whether someone who sacrifices their life for another, while believing in God, can truly be giving up their life. Wielenberg argues that the promise of an afterlife with rewards or punishments complicates the notion of ultimate self-sacrifice within the mortal realm.
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📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)
Erik's Website
Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe by Erik Wielenberg
A Debate on God and Morality: What is the Best Account of Objective Moral Values and Duties? by Erik Wielenberg & William Lane Craig
God and the Reach of Reason: C. S. Lewis, David Hume, and Bertrand Russell by Erik Wielenberg
William Lane Craig v Erik Wielenberg | "God & Morality" | NC State - Feb 2018
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#afterlife #sacrifice #atheism #selfsacrifice #reward #punishment #philosophy

Oct 22, 2024 • 7min
Erik Wielenberg on Discovering Objective Morality
🔍 Overview: In this clip, philosopher Erik Wielenberg explores the concept of objective morality and discusses how we uncover moral truths. He argues that the fact that morality is discoverable rather than created serves as evidence of its objectivity.
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📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)
Erik's Website
Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe by Erik Wielenberg
A Debate on God and Morality: What is the Best Account of Objective Moral Values and Duties? by Erik Wielenberg & William Lane Craig
God and the Reach of Reason: C. S. Lewis, David Hume, and Bertrand Russell by Erik Wielenberg
William Lane Craig v Erik Wielenberg | "God & Morality" | NC State - Feb 2018
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#morality #discover #create #objective #virtue #value #philosophy

Oct 18, 2024 • 1h 20min
Parfit: An Introduction | David Edmonds | The Socratic Sessions | Ep #19
🔍 Overview: In this episode, David Edmonds delves into the life, ideas, and work of Derek Parfit, exploring the profound impact of his contributions to philosophy.
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🗣️ Highlights
[Highlight 1]: What was the difference between Parfit the child and Parfit the Professor?
[Highlight 2]: Who were the major influencers on Derek Parfit and his philosophy?
[Highlight 3]: What did Derek uncover as he delved into moral realism?
📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)
David's Website
Twitter
Philosophy Bites
Social Science Bites
Understanding Humans: How Social Science Can Help Solve Our Problems by David Edmonds
Parfit: A Philosopher and His Mission to Save Morality by David Edmonds
Reasons and Persons by Derek Parfit
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#morality #parfit #moralrealism #derekparfit #philosophy