Within Reason

Douglas Murray, a British conservative author and associate editor of The Spectator, dives into the contentious worlds of gender and activism. He discusses the fear of backlash in addressing sensitive topics and critiques the motivations behind modern protests. The conversation touches on the intricate dynamics of reparations, contrasting genuine advocacy with self-interest. Murray candidly examines the tensions within LGBTQ+ activism and the complexities of gender identity, urging respectful discourse amidst evolving social narratives.

Richard Dawkins is the world-famous evolutionary biologist, New York Times bestselling science writer, emeritus fellow of New College, Oxford, and previously Oxford University's Professor for Public Understanding of Science. Dawkins rose to prominence after his 1976 publication The Selfish Gene, which introduced the term 'meme' and began a series of highly popular books including the Blind Watchmaker, The God Delusion, and, most recently, Outgrowing God. Professor Dawkins speaks to Alex about the meaning of atheism, the labelling of children as 'atheists', the evolutionary and social bases of morality, and the usefulness of theology as a discipline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ed Winters, known online as Earthling Ed, is a vegan educator and public speaker, co-founder and co-director of Surge, which founded the annual Official Animal Rights March, producer of the documentary Land of Hope and Glory, and my most requested podcast guest to date. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Copson is is Chief Executive of Humanists UK and author of Oxford University Press' Very Short Introduction to Secularism. He speaks to Alex about the meaning of secularism, its distinction from humanism, liberalism and atheism, and how it might be achieved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Magnabosco is the founder and executive director of Street Epistemology International, a non-profit organisation formed to encourage critical thinking and scepticism while providing people around the world with the resources needed to develop and promote Street Epistemology. He speaks to Alex about how to get people to rethink their beliefs and discard of falsities they might hold to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peter Singer is an Australian moral philosopher and author of the seminal Animal Liberation, a book credited with initiating the modern animal rights movement. He speaks to Alex about utilitarianism and how we might apply it to all sentient creatures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Brierley, host of 'Unbelievable?' and author of 'Unbelievable: Why, After Ten Years of Talking With Atheists, I’m Still a Christian', shares insightful thoughts on faith and reason. He explains his journey moderating debates between Christians and non-Christians and discusses his motivation for writing his book. Justin delves into the moral argument supporting theism, the relationship between free will and morality, and the complexities of faith amid challenging conversations. His experiences reveal how engaging with differing views shapes belief.