
Oren Harman
Senior Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute and lecturer in the Science, Technology and Society program at Bar-Ilan University; author of Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History and The Price of Altruism.
Top 3 podcasts with Oren Harman
Ranked by the Snipd community

10 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 54min
Oren Harman - The Human History of Metamorphosis
Oren Harman, historian and author who studies the history of biology, chats about how drastic animal transformations have intrigued thinkers from Aristotle to modern scientists. He explores metamorphosis as both a biological process and a cultural metaphor. Stories include Maria Sibylla Merian’s fieldwork, debates over development, and how some insects keep memories through radical change.

9 snips
Oct 11, 2025 • 1h 1min
Oren Harman on the Magic of Metamorphosis
Oren Harman, a Senior Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute and author of "Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History," dives into fascinating insights on altruism and transformation. He explores the evolutionary benefits of altruism, discussing why it challenges traditional Darwinian thought. The conversation covers surprising statistics on instinctive heroism, the spectrum of altruism, and the cultural dynamics that shape empathy. Harman also unpacks the evolutionary puzzle of metamorphosis, revealing its prevalence and the dramatic shifts in identity it involves.

Feb 8, 2026 • 38min
Oren Harman, "Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History" (Basic Books, 2025)
Oren Harman, historian of science and biographer of ideas, explores why so many animals undergo dramatic life changes. He discusses jellyfish that reverse aging, starfish with two simultaneous forms, and links between animal transformation and human identity. He also traces cultural influences and considers parenthood and futurism as forms of metamorphosis.


