Could everything that exists have experiences? Is there something that it is like to be an electron? This sounds unlikey on first hearing, but in this episode of the podcast argues in conversation with , that panpsychism is the best explanation of...
How should doctors, patients and family make end of life decisions? explores questions about euthanasia, abortion and autonomy in conversation with in this bonus episode of the podcast (originally released on ). This episode was made as part of...
What is republicanism? In this episode of the podcast outlines the key features of this important strand in political philosophy, one which has a continuing relevance today. Philosophy Bites is made in association with the .
Disagreement about moral status is at the heart of many issues in practical ethics. In this bonus episode of the podcast (originally released on ) , in conversation with , explores some of the questions surrounding the status of a human foetus,...
What is the point of studying philosophy's past? Is it just to learn about the history of ideas? Is there something special about the history of philosophy that makes it different from the history of other subjects? , author of a new book on the...
Is it ethical to select advantageous genes and select against disadvantageous genes when having babies? , Director of the in Oxford, discusses this question with . This bonus episode was originally made for in...
Do recent discoveries in neuroscience threaten the notion of moral responsibility? Could we have moral responsibility without full consciousness of the significance of our actions? discusses these questions in conversation with for this episode of...
Is liberty compatible with equality? Many philosophers think it can't be, and that pluralism is the correct response. In this episode of the podcast argues that there is a fundamental unity of value. Philosophy Bites is made in association with...
J. L. Austin, who died in 1960, was an immensely influential philosopher whose method involved precise scrutiny of ordinary language: the precise words, the contexts in which they were uttered, and what people were doing by uttering them....
Jeremy Bentham, legal reformer and philosopher, was an early Utilitarian. In this episode of the podcast interviews Bentham scholar and head of the , about Bentham's contribution to moral philosophy. Philosophy Bites is made in association with the .
What is criminal responsibility? Is it a timeless concept, or does it have a historical aspect? addresses these questions in conversation with in this episode of the podcast. Philosophy Bites is made in association with the .
Some atheists despise religion and ridicule it as absurd. In this episode of the podcast , author of Religion for Atheists, takes a more pragmatic line, arguing that atheists can learn a great deal from religion. Philosophy Bites is made in...
Metaphysics is the philosophical study of reality. But what does that mean in pratice, and what are the limits of what it can reveal? addresses the question 'What is Metaphysics?' in discussion with in this episode of the podcast. Philosophy Bites...
Is there a useful distinction to be made between analytic and continental philosophy? thinks not. Listen to him in conversation with in this episode of the podcast. Philosophy Bites is made in association with the .
What can Plato teach us about sustainability? According to Princeton's , author of Eco-Republic, quite a lot. Melissa discusses this topic with in this episode of the podcast. Philosophy Bites is made in association with the .
What sort of minds do other animals have? discusses this intriguing question with in this episode of the podcast. Philosophy Bites is made in association with the .
Homer is a great poet, but is he relevant to philosopy? Harvard University's believes that he is and that we can glean important insights from studying Homer's work, insights about what it is to be human that might otherwise be overlooked. is made...
Are moral judgements simply relative to culture? Are moral relativists in the grip of a fundamental confusion, or is that just the view of a philosophical subculture? suggests that moral relativism is an untenable position in this episode of the ...
Beliefs are important. Wars are fought over conflicting belief systems. Philosophers ask 'What is it reasonable to believe?' Can philosophers, then, give us any insights into what is going on when belief systems clash? discusses this issue with in...
Our reasoning capacity sets us apart from other animals. But reason is frequently prone to error. Why then did we evolve with a capacity for reason at all? This is a question that has vexed - with he has been researching the topic....