Philosophy For Our Times

Join fearless professor Katarina Schwarz as she explores how we can free the oppressed of our world. An eye-opening discussion on the different dimensions of slavery, including its historical and contemporary forms. The chapter discusses different forms of modern slavery and provides concrete examples of individuals being forced into exploitation. Exploring the global production of cobalt and the dark reality behind its mining, including hazardous conditions, child labor, and extreme poverty. The chapter discusses the acceptance of exploitative work and the conditions that arise from it, highlighting the scale of profits made by multinational corporations.

Evolutionary biologist Sunetra Gupta, neuroscientist Anders Sandberg, and psychologist Subrena Smith discuss the compatibility of our neurobiology with the modern world. They explore topics like the impact of storytelling and virtue signaling, the inadequacy of neurobiology in dealing with 21st-century challenges, the relevance of evolution in humans, and the tension between biology and human values. The panel debates whether our ancient traits are now risking our species and if we can change our behavior before it's too late.

Renowned physiologist Denis Noble argues that free will is not an illusion, challenging the materialist view. He explores the connection between free will, physiology, and philosophy, discussing the role of empirical investigation in understanding decision-making processes. Noble also examines the complexity of life, highlighting the unique properties of water and the role of chemistry in supporting organisms. He explores stochasticity and errors in DNA replication, questioning the assumptions of the selfish gene theory. Finally, he discusses the interplay between choices, genetics, and physiology, using examples to explore the relationship between free will and physiological processes.

Renowned philosopher Barry Smith, neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow, and author Gary Lachman discuss collective experience versus subjectivity. They delve into the connection between subjectivity and personal experiences, explore how crowds influence individuals, examine emergent behaviors in groups, and touch on telepathy, precognitive dreams, and neuroscience. They also explore the correlation between heartbeat detection and trader profitability, discuss the balance between individualism and collectivism in Western culture, and analyze the decline of IQ and the rise of 'me' culture.

Lucelia Rodrigues, Chair of Sustainable and Resilient Cities, discusses the architecture of sustainable cities and the importance of avoiding excessive emissions. They also explore meeting pledges to limit global warming, challenges in reducing carbon emissions, and the Smartify project for energy-efficient homes.

Stephen Kinsella, Victoria Baines, and Hugh Tomlinson discuss the pros and cons of internet anonymity. Topics include online abuse, government coercion, whistleblowers, human rights abuses, financial incentives of anonymity, potential consequences of ending anonymity, and debating the pros and cons of implementing a verification system on internet platforms.

Is the academy and our culture as a whole in need of newer, bigger ideas?Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesIn the first half of the twentieth century radical thinkers, from Einstein to Schrödinger, Russell to Wittgenstein, Woolf to de Beauvoir, were transforming ideas. But many wonder where the equivalents are today and point to a deep seated flaw. Universities and research labs have become increasingly specialised and focus on small 'piecemeal advance' leaving little room for originality and big thinking. Studies confirm a bias against publishing novel research and 90% of papers remain uncited, possibly unread by anyone.Should we encourage a less specialised and broader approach to create the breakthroughs and radical ideas of the future? Do we need to change the way university appointments are made and articles reviewed to escape conventional set thinking? Or have the big theories largely been found already and have we now only to fill in the gaps?There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=the-new-renaissanceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Philosopher Julian Baggini, philosopher of biology Ellen Clarke, and radical philosopher Ben Burgis debate the relevance of scientific facts, questioning the role of experts and the need for transparency in scientific communication. They discuss the pluralism of expertise, the role of values in theory building, the challenges of following science, and the importance of trust and reassurance during uncertain times.

Renowned guests Lisa Miller, Nick Lane, and Paul Bickley explore consciousness, life after death, and the limitations of the physical body in this thought-provoking podcast. They discuss scientific evidence for life after death, the concept of afterlife in a secular world, and the significance of love and connection in spiritual life. The speakers also debate the possibility of an afterlife in a secular society and the need for better frameworks to understand and process death.

Renowned philosopher Simon Blackburn discusses navigating heated moral discussions, the play of perspective on moral dilemmas, and his notable disagreements with Richard Rorty. From understanding contentious topics to gaining insights into meta-ethics, Blackburn takes us on an enlightening journey into the depths of truth and its implications in the modern world.