Philosophy For Our Times

Isabel Millar challenges assumptions about AI by deploying psychoanalysis tools. The podcast explores the relationship between AI and psychoanalysis, the effectiveness of film in exploring concepts, and the administration and domination of bodies through sex as a mode of administration. They also discuss the evolution of psychoanalysis and its compatibility with AI.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and groundbreaking psychiatrist, Iain McGilchrist, explore the nature of reality and meaning beyond a materialist worldview. They discuss the complex reality that goes beyond passive understanding, the limitations of online diagnostic tools, the tension between following science and skepticism, the role of imagination in understanding reality, and the significance of mistakes and surprises in mental activity.

Renowned philosopher Simon Blackburn explores the difference between narcissism and self-love, the complexities of emotional reactions to self-love, and the distinction between conceit and vanity. He also delves into the concept of narcissism through the myth of Narcissus and discusses different forms of self-love and how they intersect with our relationships with others.

Renowned philosopher Slavoj Žižek, political philosopher Maria Balaska, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and anthropologist Richard Wrangham discuss the nature of good and evil. They explore the complexity of human nature and argue against oversimplification. The panel examines the definition of good and evil, their relativity, and their relationship with power. They also discuss the concept of evil and its disruption of the moral fabric. Overall, the podcast delves into the multifaceted nature of humans and challenges traditional categorizations of good and evil.

Acquisition of knowledge and its limits are debated by Rupert Sheldrake, Suchitra Sebastian, and Tommy Curry. They challenge the Western view of knowledge, discuss alternative ways of knowing, and emphasize the importance of questioning and embracing discomfort in science.

Oxford scholar and polymath Iain McGilchrist discusses the nature of truth and the cosmos, the danger of delusional thinking, and the approximate nature of belief. McGilchrist and post-postmodern philosopher Hilary Lawson also explore the intersection of philosophy and neuroscience, their perspectives on reality, consciousness, and the divine, and the dominance of the left hemisphere in understanding the world.

Nolen Gertz, Betty Sue Flowers, and Joscha Bach explore the relationship between language and reality, discussing metaphors, AI, and the limitations of neuroscience. They also highlight the role of language in shaping culture and reflect on the potential dangers associated with AI.

Renowned scientists, Michael Shermer and Rupert Sheldrake, engage in a head-to-head debate on accessing scientific knowledge. They discuss the limits of human understanding, rationality, materialism, prejudice, integrating alternative theories of physics, and the burden of proof in scientific debates.

Rebecca Roache, Simon Baron-Cohen, and Hilary Lawson discuss the ethics of lying and the value of honesty. They explore the relationship between honesty and other virtues, the role of lies in politics, and the impact of consistent lying on communication. They also delve into the concept of judgment and the importance of understanding different perspectives before labeling someone as a liar.

Renowned guests Joanna Kavenna, Rory Sutherland, and Rebecca Roache debate the importance of reason in an increasingly chaotic modern age. They question its value in decision-making, explore the complexity of human behavior, discuss the role of serendipity in discovery, and highlight the unintended consequences of pushing rationality to extremes. The podcast explores the balance and limits of reason, reflecting on the parallels between science and the online world, and the value of embracing irrationality.