Philosophy Bites

Some philosophers have drawn very strange conclusions about the nature of reality. Despite this Emily Thomas believes that their work may still be worth studying. They usually have had good reasons for what they concluded. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast she discusses several wildly implausible metaphysical theories with Nigel Warburton. We are grateful for support from the Marc Sanders Foundation and from our Patreon donors.

Are thought experiments the best way of doing practical ethics? Not according to James Wilson. He thinks we need the rich detail of real cases or complex imaginary cases not a simplified version of reality to make sense of the moral problems we face. We are grateful for support for this episode from the Marc Sanders Foundation and from our supporters on Patreon.

Kate Kirkpatrick, a philosopher and biographer of Simone de Beauvoir, offers fresh insights into Beauvoir's life and work. She challenges the stereotype of Beauvoir simply as Sartre's existentialist echo, emphasizing her originality. Kirkpatrick discusses Beauvoir's early influences, the nuances in translating her ideas, and her extensive correspondence with readers. She explores Beauvoir's critique of Sartrean freedom and highlights the reciprocal nature of her relationship with Sartre, shedding light on the importance of biography in understanding her philosophy.

'What is a woman?' has become a contentious question with practical implications. The philosopher Kathleen Stock gives an account of the category 'woman' and how we should think about it. She gives a different answer to this question which Amia Srinivassan addressed in a previous Philosophy Bites interview on this topic.

Christian Miller believes that there is a character gap, a gap between what we think we are like morally and how we actually behave. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast he explores the psychology of moral behaviour, and how we can become better people. We are grateful for support from the Marc Sanders Foundation.

Philip Pettit, a renowned philosopher specializing in republicanism and ethics, unveils the intriguing origins of ethical concepts. He discusses the role of language in shaping moral behavior, arguing that true ethics evolve alongside societal interactions. Pettit explores how personal reputation intertwines with ethical conduct, especially when desires clash with values. He emphasizes the social foundation of morality, revealing how our actions are influenced by societal expectations. Through counterfactual storytelling, he offers fresh perspectives on ethical dilemmas, enriching our understanding of responsibility and accountability.

Philosophers often talk about possible worlds. Is this just a way of describing counterfactual situations? As Helen Beebee explains, some of them believe that possible worlds actually exist. This episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast is supported by the Marc Sanders Foundation and by Patreon donations.

Throughout its history there have been challenges to the status of philosophy. Paul Sagar discusses some of these in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast. We are grateful for support from the Marc Sanders Foundation in making this podcast, and for donations from Patreon patrons.

Is it always good to be trustworthy? Can trustworthiness come into conflict with other values, such as generosity? Katherine Hawley discusses these and other questions about trustworthiness with Nigel Warburton in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast. We are grateful for support from the Marc Sanders Foundation and from our Patreon subscribers for this episode.

Civility is a conversational virtue that governs how people talk to each other. How important is it in political life? In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Teresa Bejan discusses this manner of speaking and writing and its history. We are grateful for sponsorship for this episode from the Marc Sanders Foundation and from our Patreon patrons.