Philosophy For Our Times

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes In Western society, individualism is everywhere – whether it’s being fuelled by capitalism, technology or populist politics, we are being encouraged to think of ourselves more than ever before. But how do other parts of the world understand the self? Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad, FBA is the Distinguished Professor...

Today we bring you the first episode of Beyond Us, an all-new series made in association with Essentia Foundation.  Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Few things are more valued by 21st century humans than knowledge. But how is it acquired? Cognitive psychology tells us that we leverage a variety of functions which can be roughly divided...

How should we redress the wrongs done to the LGBT+ community in the past? And is it even possible? Peter Tatchell discusses. Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes The LGBT+ community has won many hard fought battles, but that doesn't make up for the years of suffering caused by prejudice and oppression. On today’s episode we’re joined by Renowned...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Philosophy for Our Times is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of  Beyond Us , an all-new podcast series by the IAI, exploring four concepts that define the modern world: knowledge, competition, language and growth. In each episode, humanitarian Fred Matser and philosopher Bernardo Kastrup are joine...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Is the greatest emergency in our current age the absence of emergency itself? And how helpful is freedom in tackling emergencies? On today’s episode we’re discussing the philosophy of crises and how society should respond to emergencies. Santiago Zabala is a philosopher and ICREA Research Philosopher at the P...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes We value the feeling of happiness above all else. But is it time we outgrew this self-centred ideology? On today’s episode we’re discussing happiness and the future of our society. Joining us to share his vision for a post-liberal society is John Milbank, renowned theologian and President of the Centre of The...

How has language informed the evolution of philosophy? And is there a point where the usefulness of words ends? Our experts discuss. Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes On today’s episode we’re discussing philosophy’s linguistic turn as well as the general relationship between language and philosophy. To help us discuss our descriptions of the...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes On Today’s episode we’re discussing meritocracy and social models of success. Is sorting people by merit dangerous and should we be championing an alternative model, one more attentive to the role of humility, solidarity and luck? Renowned philosopher Michael Sandel exposes the hubris a meritocracy generates...

How tied are mental health and choice? Listen to find out! Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes From eating to dating, what the modern world presents us with are endless choices. But is this leading to lives full of anxiety and guilt? On today’s episode we’re discussing happiness and freedom of choice.   Renata Salecl is a philosopher, soci...

What are the benefits of curiosity? Listen to find out! Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes In our modern world of encroaching digital connectivity, is it curiosity that enables individuals and businesses to survive and thrive? On today’s episode we’re discussing curiosity and how practicing being curious can improve our private and professiona...

Should we prioritize morality over scientific research? Our experts discuss. Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Are 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 putt...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes At 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, theo...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes What 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 assis...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Is 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 Buddhis...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Are 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...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Do 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, Cognitiv...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes In 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 w...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Has 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 Phil...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes How 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 philoso...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes For 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 welco...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Can the radical elements of religion help us today? And how should we view martyrdom and sacrifice? To help us discus the role of religion today we’re joined this week by Marxist literary critic and public intellectual Terry Eagleton who explores the intersection between faith, martyrdom and sacrifice in a po...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Should it be a philosopher’s duty to discuss politics? And how can philosophy be used to improve public life? This week we’re discussing the roles and responsibilities of philosophers and the everyday applications of philosophy. Julian Baggini is a philosopher, journalist and the author of philosophy boo...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Should we conclude that consciousness cannot be explained in terms of the physical? But if so what is the alternative? Or is it just a matter of time, and one day an AI machine will miraculously find itself experiencing the world, and its mere components will have soul? Philosopher of mind Tim Crane, metaphys...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes The radical idea that everything is conscious has a small but growing following in Anglo-American philosophy. How deep are the philosophical roots of panpsychism? And how do older Indian systems of thought inform modern philosophical ideas?  To explore these questions we’re joined on this week’s epi...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Should we trust our senses? And how can we know that the waking world is real but the dreaming world is not? On this week’s episode we are interviewing Professor of Buddhist Philosophy at Oxford University, Jan Westerhoff. Westerhoff discusses the philosophy of illusions, dreams and outlines his theory of an...