Elucidations

In this episode, Peter Adamson gives us a tour through the impressively wide-ranging work of Al-Kindi, including his arguments for the unity of God and against the eternity of the universe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Agustin Rayo considers whether the number of dinosaurs being zero is the same thing as there being no dinosaurs, whether some wood blocks being nailed together into the shape of a table is the same thing as there being a table, and similar matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, David Enoch argues that there are real facts of the matter about whether something is right or wrong, and that our ability to deliberate about what to do depends on this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Johan van Benthem argues that the subject matter of logic should be broadened to encompass not only processes of inference performed by individuals, but also the sharing of information among groups of people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Nicholas Asher discusses some of the challenges faced by philosophers, linguists, and computer scientists when it comes to developing a formal theory of meaning that (for example) a computer could understand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Christopher Frey explains why Aristotle thought that after you sever a person's hand, it isn't really a hand anymore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Catarina Dutilh Novaes, an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen, explores the diverse methodologies in philosophy. She challenges the notion of a singular philosophical method, categorizing approaches into conceptual analysis, historical methods, and empirical techniques. Novaes advocates for a conjunctive methodological pluralism, emphasizing collaboration across disciplines to enrich philosophical inquiry. She also examines the cognitive aspects of deductive reasoning, revealing its impacts on how we understand complex concepts.

In this engaging discussion, Robert van Rooij, Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Language, tackles the intricacies of vagueness in language. He dives into the Sorites paradox, questioning what truly defines someone as 'tall.' The conversation explores the ambiguity of terms like 'bank' and reflects on how vagueness impacts legal definitions and ethical dilemmas. Van Rooij argues that while we may crave precision, the inherent vagueness of language can enhance communication, revealing the complexities of human thought and understanding.

In this episode, Martha Nussbaum proposes a new set of criteria for determining the overall health and prosperity of a country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kieran Setiya, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh, dives deep into moral disagreement. He distinguishes between personal choices versus objective facts, comparing moral disputes to scientific controversies. Setiya explores how cultural differences influence ethical views and critiques the balance between self-interest and altruism. He discusses the challenges of teaching ethics amid conflicting beliefs and highlights the complexities of moral justification in navigating these disagreements.