Philosophy Bites

Psychologist and philosopher Liane Young discusses her experiments on moral intentions, exploring outcome-based vs intention-based moral judgments and the impact on moral psychology. The podcast also touches on the perception of moral transgressions based on intention and adaptive functions, and the importance of understanding moral psychology and different stances people take on the world.

Gary Francione, advocate for animal abolitionism, challenges the animal welfare approach, arguing for the end of all animal exploitation. He discusses the flaws in valuing certain animals over others and argues that all exploited animals are sentient beings who value their lives. The podcast also explores different viewpoints on minimizing animal suffering, ethical considerations of feeding pets a vegan diet, and the practicality of animal welfare reforms.

Richard Sorabji, a philosopher, discusses Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence, exploring his commitment to subjecting arguments to criticism and his acceptance and disagreements with Tolstoy's theory of compassion. The podcast also examines the ethics of killing and moral dilemmas, Mahatma Gandhi's flexible approach to individual duty, and the objection to non-violence by discussing potential consequences and the connection between Gandhi and the Stoics.

Philosopher Tim Crane discusses the concept of non-existence and its implications in thought and language, including the truth behind fictional creations, mistaken beliefs about non-existent objects, the existence of God, the nature of the mind, and the relationship between thought and its objects.

In this episode, philosopher of consciousness and pain, Michael Tye, discusses the philosophical questions that arise from the experience of pain. He explores the relationship between pain and consciousness, the nature of pain, the valuational aspect of pain, the connection between emotional and physical pain, and the theory of consciousness known as representationism.

Daniel Dennett challenges traditional notions of free will by exploring the limitations of causation and arguing for a more nuanced understanding. The intentional stance and reflecting on reasons are crucial for understanding free will. The concept of free will worth wanting is explored, including its relation to cognitive abilities and the importance in political freedom. The role of revealing emotions, communication, and autonomy is emphasized.

Can science give us any insight into morality? In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast, originally released on Bioethics Bites, neurophilosopher Patricia Churcland argues that it can. Bioethics Bites is made in association with the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics with a grant from the Wellcome Institute.

Is it true that words can't harm you? What about hate speech? In the US the First Amendment protects a wide range of free expression, far wider than  is tolerated, for instance, in the United Kingdom. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Rae Langton discusses the phenomenon of hate speech and some of the moral questions it gives rise to. Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy.

Can moral decision-making be affected by chemical means? And if so, should we use drugs for this purpose? Molly Crockett's research in this area is the basis of this Philosophy Bites interview which was originally released on Bioethics Bites and made in association with the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics and with a grant from the Wellcome Institute.

Effects can't precede their causes, can they? The direction of causation is forwards not backwards. But this common belief doesn't mesh with every aspect of contemporary physics. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Huw Price discusses the counterintuitive idea that retro-causation might occur. Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy.