

Philosophy For Our Times
IAI
Philosophy for our Times is a free philosophy podcast bringing you the latest talks and debates from the world’s leading thinkers. We host weekly episodes on today’s biggest ideas in news, society, culture, politics, science and arts. Subscribe today to never miss an episode.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 8, 2020 • 49min
Morality Before Metaphysics | Simon Blackburn, Raymond Tallis, Joanna Kavenna
Should we prioritize morality over scientific research? Our experts discuss.Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesAre our descriptions of the world independent from our morality? And should philosophy aim to interpret the world or to change it?On today’s episode we’re discussing the relationship between morality and metaphysics and whether putting morality first is a good idea when proposing theories. To help us debate the role of morality we’re joined remotely by cultural critic and polymath Raymond Tallis, award-winning novelist Joanna Kavenna and renowned philosopher and ethicist Simon Blackburn investigate the relationship between metaphysics and morality. Hilary Lawson hosts.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=morality-before-metaphysicsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 24, 2020 • 42min
Reality Uncovered | John Ellis, Sabine Hossenfelder, Jim Baggott
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesAt the heart of our understanding of reality is physics, the cornerstone of science. But it appears to be in all sorts of trouble. On today's episode we ask whether the whole framework of contemporary physics might be wrong? And if so, where can we turn for an alternative?CERN physicist John Ellis, theoretical physicist and Research Fellow at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies Sabine Hossenfelder, and award winning science writer and quantum expert Jim Baggott debate the crisis in physics. David Malone hosts.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=reality-uncoveredSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 17, 2020 • 45min
Animal Rights and Human Wrongs | Peter Singer, Christopher Belshaw, Mary-Ann Sieghart, Peter Egan
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesWhat is our relationship with other species? And can we care about animals if we eat them? On today’s episode we’re discussing the morality of our relationship with animals.World-renowned moral philosopher Peter Singer, Honorary Associate in Philosophy at the Open University Christopher Belshaw, former assistant editor of The Times Mary-Ann Sieghart and British actor and longtime vegan Peter Egan debate in love with animals. Myriam Francois hosts. In association with Future NormalThere 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=animal-rights-and-human-wrongsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 10, 2020 • 60min
Do We Really Want To Save The World? | Vince Cable, Aaron Bastani, Emma Slade, John Zerzan
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesIs the purpose of life personal development or changing society for the better? And what is the future of political engagement? On this week’s episode we’re discussing the relationship between our personal beliefs and civic engagement.We’re joined remotely by anarcho-primitist John Zerzan, author and Buddhist nun Emma Slade, radical left-wing journalist Aaron Bastani and former liberal democrat leader Vince Cable.This episode is in association with Say Your Peace. Say Your Peace aims to spark global change through self-transformation and community dialogue. Find out more at sayyourpeace.org, and check them out on Instagram and Facebook.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=do-we-really-want-to-save-the-worldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 3, 2020 • 46min
Rational Animals | Steven Pinker, Daniel Kahneman, Shami Chakrabarti
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesAre humans incapable of weighing up risk rationally? And are governments any better? Should we seek to reduce all risks and outlaw activity we deem dangerous?Nobel Prize winning economist Daniel Kahneman, Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker and Labour MP, barrister and human rights activist Shami Chakrabarti explore risk, rationality and coronavirus. Anil Ananthaswamy hosts.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=rational-animalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 27, 2020 • 46min
Free Will Worth Wanting |Daniel Dennett, Helen Steward, Patrick Haggard
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesDo we choose to follow the rules? Are we really free to decide, or is choice just an illusion? On this week’s episode we’re trying to understand why many neuroscientists and philosophers argue that there is no such thing as free will.Groundbreaking philosopher and cognitive scientist Daniel Dennett, Cognitive Neuroscience specialist Patrick Haggard and author of A Metaphysics for Freedom Helen Steward deliberate over the existence of free will. Mark Linsenmayer hosts.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=free-will-worth-wantingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

13 snips
Oct 20, 2020 • 31min
Why Choice is Not an Illusion | Raymond Tallis
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesIn the modern world we seem to benefit from an abundance of choices in our day-to-day life. But are we really free to decide, or is choice just an illusion? On today’s episode we’re joined remotely by cultural critic and philosopher Raymond Tallis who unpicks the arguments against the existence of free will. Professor Raymond Tallis is a philosopher, poet, novelist and cultural critic and was until recently a physician and clinical scientist. In the Economist's Intelligent Life Magazine (2009) he was listed as one of the top living polymaths in the world.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=why-choice-is-not-an-illusionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 13, 2020 • 49min
Materialism Deconstructed| Bernardo Kastrup, Nancy Cartwright, Peter Atkins
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesHas physical materialism been undermined in favour of fields and energy, mathematics and information? This week we’re asking whether the world is only material, only made of physical stuff.Metaphysical idealist Bernardo Kastrup, chemist and Fellow of Lincoln College at Oxford University Peter Atkins and Philosopher of Science Nancy Cartwright debate beyond material. Founding director of the Centre for the Study of the Senses Barry C. Smith hosts.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=materialism-deconstructedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 6, 2020 • 16min
The Maths of Life | Silvia Jonas
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesHow can mathematical models inform our understanding of the world? And how can we explain overwhelming experiences? This week, philosopher Silvia Jonas investigates how mathematics shapes the way in which philosophers conceptualise reality and considers how we can use mathematical models to answer big philosophical questions.Silvia Jonas is a philosopher at the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy working in metaphysics, philosophy of mathematics, and epistemology. She is the author of 'Metaphysics: The Unspeakable in Art, Religion, and Philosophy'. 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-maths-of-lifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 29, 2020 • 43min
What do we really know? | Renata Salecl, Philip Goff & Simon Blackburn
Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesFor much of human history people have held firm - if mistaken - beliefs about the nature of the world and the right course of action. But now a steep decline in religious belief, compounded by doubts about the very possibility of objective truth, has left many in the West profoundly lost. Should we welcome this new uncertainty and revel in the absence of a constricting set of agreed beliefs? Are we only now recognising the limitations of the human condition, which our hubris once obscured or denied? Or must we escape from being lost - even if it means adopting illusory certainties - in order to provide social identity, personal well being and purpose?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=what-do-we-really-knowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


