Philosophy For Our Times

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes The notion that there is no self has won over philosophers and scientists since Hume argued that the self is nothing but a 'bundle of perceptions'. So is our experience of a unified, continuous self merely illusory? And if the self does exist, how should it be understood? Joining us remotely to ask wheth...

Today we bring you the fourth episode of Beyond Us, an IAI mini-series made in association with Essentia Foundation.  Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes The ancient concept of growth referred to a function of nature, the development of natural phenomena and their qualities. While in many modern contexts growth simply means 'bigger' on som...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes It is the question that has rocked humanity for millennia, the conundrum that has confounded scientists, philosophers, politicians, artists and everyone in between: which came first, the chicken or the egg? And here we find ourselves, in need of help from the world’s greatest thinkers to settle this issue onc...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Why do people trust some experts but not others? And how can we improve trust between the public and experts. On today’s episode we’re exploring the philosophical relationship between trust and relativism. To help us we’re joined by one of the world’s leading experts on moral and epistemological relativism, P...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes When we look back our century will undoubtably be defined by the rise of intelligent machines. But in the future will humans and artificial coexist symbiotically? And is it possible that we'll ever be able to merge with AI?  On today’s episode we’re joined remotely by American philosopher and cognitive s...

Today we bring you the third episode of Beyond Us, an IAI mini-series made in association with Essentia Foundation.  Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Language is at once one of the most fulfilling and frustrating of human faculties. It allows us to communicate vital information and to organise communities. But language also has limited...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes For centuries we have distinguished between our experience and the world, between the subjective and the objective, between consciousness and material reality. Might the very distinction between subject and object, conscious experience and the world, be the mistake? Or could we formulate a new conceptual fram...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Is empathy a prerequisite for a successful society? Or is empathy an irrational emotion which appeals to our narrow prejudices? This week we’re asking whether empathy is our best base for morality and we explore the implications of empathy in the modern world. On Today’s episode we’re joined remotely by Oxfor...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes How should we treat time in our lives? What should time mean to us? And can psychedelic experiences allow us to reconfigure our sense of time? On today’s episode we’re joined by philosopher of the mind, metaphysician and associate lecturer at The University of Exeter Dr Peter Sjöstedt-H, who breaks down ...

Today we bring you the second 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 Evolution favours cooperation as well as competition. But to what extent is human competitiveness culture-bound? Is the competitive dynamic environmentally, politically and psychologically...

How much can we possibly know about the universe? And where do the boundaries of scientific knowledge lie? Listen to find out! Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes The more we discover, the more we realise we have yet to learn. On today’s episode we’re discussing the philosophy of science and the limits of what we can know. We’re joined remotely...

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here:  https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes On today’s episode we’re discussing the role of idealism in the world of politics. Whether it's tribal nationalism, radical socialism, or environmental activism, the goals and ideals of politics are once again taking centre stage. Is a return to idealism dangerous or a necessary antidote to a bland politics t...

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...