Thoughts: Philosophy Untangled

In this episode, Keir and Jasmine explore Underdetermination and what it’s all about. Speaking to JB Manchak, from the University of California, Irvine, We discuss the limits of scientific research, conspiracy theories and time travel. We also discuss Buddhism and the idea of the non-self.

In this episode Alex and Ross are joined by Dr. Simon Hope of Stirling University to discuss the role and scope of political philosophy; what do we do when we do political philosophy and whose viewpoint gets to count?

In this episode co-hosts Alice and Katie delve into the complex nature of voting systems with senior lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, Dr Adam Rieger. The episode focuses on first past the post, preference voting, and the alternative voting method – with Adam helping us to untangle some of the key criticisms of each.

Hamish and Alexandros delve deep into the world of Miracles with Timothy McGrew. They discuss Hume’s argument against Miracles. Join us in this discussion about human testimony, the limits of inquiry and bizarre animals.

This is our second episode devoted to the philosophy of law. We discuss the function of law in our society and where our legal system is misaligned with our political and economic systems. We hear about when Coca Cola took on the Bolivian government, and won. Finally, Emilios gives us a brief history of our rights and we take a moment to think about what our rights may look like in the 22nd centur...

This episode is one of two which looks at the philosophy of law. We discuss 'what is the law?', we look at the connection between law and justice, and between law and morality (legal Positivism vs. Natural law). We visit the peculiarities of legal reasoning, the connection to rights and values, and with an emphasis on the philosophy of language also on how the law both abhors and deploys ambiguity...

In this New Year’s special episode, Professor Ben Colburn joins Ross and Alexandros in an in-depth discussion of the meaning of autonomy in Moral and Political Philosophy. What does it mean to be autonomous and ultimately why is it a good thing? Join us in in contemplating these and many more questions in this special episode of Thoughts.

What does it mean for a category to be socially constructed? Are we wronged when we are cast into a social category that doesn’t characterise us? How does Gender relate to all this? Dr. Katharine Jenkins, lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, joins Ross and Alexandros to discuss these questions and many more in this episode of Thoughts.

!Content Warning: Sexual Assault! Why do we believe what we are told? When should we believe what we are told? And why is it so often the case that we suspend our belief exactly when others need it the most? Dr Mona Simion – Deputy Director of COGITO (and so much more) – is going to dissect these questions for us and explain to Ruaridh and Arianna why she thinks that, when it comes to cases of sex...

In this episode co-hosts Katie and Hamish are joined by Charlotte Kleine and Belen De Bacco from the Glasgow University Art Appreciation Society (GUAAS). They find out about some of GUAAS’s upcoming events and discuss Walter Benjamin’s essay , “ The Work of Art in the Age of Its Technological Reproducibility”, and the body in modern and postmodern space.

Are borders always bad? Believe it or not, some philosophers think they are. Today we speak to Karl Martin Adam - a PhD candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - who argues that settler colonialism is a case where borders seem like quite a good thing.  Jasmine Hunt and Hamish Stewart join him in conversation.

Why do we think of some violent acts in video games as wrong, and others not? In this episode, Katie Moody speaks to Dr. Rebecca Davnall, a lecturer in philosophy and game design studies at the University of Liverpool, about whether actions in video games can be morally wrong.

Do we have obligations to future people? Would it be better to just nuke the world? In this episode Katie Moody and Ross Patrizio talk to Dr Joe Slater, a lecturer in moral philosophy at the University of St Andrews, about our moral obligations to people living in the future.

Buddhism, and its metaphysics, is not given much attention in Western philosophy. Fortunately, Pavel Nitchovski, a PhD candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was as annoyed as we were about this, and decided to teach the topic in the Summer of 2020. In this episode, Hamish Stewart and Keir Aitken quiz Pavel about Buddhism’s conception of the non-self.

What is disability? How does it relate to enhancement? Do enhancements promote equality, or inequality? In this episode, Jasmine Hunt and Keir Aitken discuss the relationship between disability and enhancement - and the social and philosophical relevance of each - with Lysette Chaproniere. 

Most of us probably think we know how causation works. If we flick the switch of the kettle, we will cause the kettle to boil. If we set up a line of dominoes, and knock over the first domino, we will have caused that domino to fall, which will cause the next domino to fall, and the next, and the next, and so on. In this episode, Dr Neil McDonnell – The Lord Kelvin Adam Smith Research Fellow of th...

Climate change is becoming an increasingly pressing issue in politics and in everyday life. On today’s episode Hamish Stewart talks to Quan Nguyen, a PhD candidate at the University of St. Andrews. In this episode Quan describes a public philosophy article he wrote following the school strikes for climate as well as his experience in Extinction Rebellion Scotland.

In this episode we discuss women’s place in the world and why its important to celebrate successful women. We talk about what SWAG is and its role in the Glasgow University community. We talk about inspirational philosophers, why it's important to celebrate women and what grinds Anna’s gears most.

Are we ever morally assessable for the things we do in our dreams? If we are, should we feel guilt, or pride, for our dreaming actions? Dr. Robert Cowan, lecturer in Moral Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, joins Ross Patrizio and Alexandros Constantinou to discuss these questions and many more in this episode of Thoughts.

Why do we have a government? Why don’t we just ‘Lord of the Flies’ it? Do we really have to obey political authority? James Humphries, lecturer in Political Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, talks us through these questions and many more in this episode of Thoughts. Keir Aitken and Jasmine Hunt join him in discussion.

Derrida is a notoriously difficult philosopher to understand. Some love him, others loathe him, and everyone struggles to comprehend him. Today, we embark on a journey of discovery with Derridean thought and the wider Post-structuralist movement. Joining us again is David Baker, distinguished professor in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at the University of North Carolina at C...

On this episode Katie chats to Amelia about the GU Psychology podcast, Brainscape. Amelia gives some ‘speedy summaries’ of ‘Love is in the Air’ and ‘Storytime’ - two episodes on the podcast – and they discuss all things from how to stand out on Tinder, to representation in children’s books.

Have you ever wondered what Postmodernism is? A hugely influential movement during the second half of the 20th C, it has gone on to influence contemporary philosophy in countless ways. Today, David Baker, Professor of Comparative Literature at UNC, talks us through what Postmodernist philosophy looked like, and the difficulties inherent in defining anything Postmodern. Hamish Stewart and Max...

What is pain? Is it physical, mental, or both? What are the real-world implications of research in the philosophy of pain? Dr. Jennifer Corns, lecturer in Philosophy of Mind at the University of Glasgow, joins Ross Patrizio and Alexandros Constantinou to discuss these questions and many more in this episode of Thoughts.

On this episode Jasmine and Arianna chat to Nathan, John, and Robbie about their History podcast “GUHS Podcast”. After discussing John’s latent carpentry ambitions, Arianna and Jasmine learn a lot of history in 5 minutes as the boys discuss their upcoming plans for future episodes, including one spawned by Robbie’s reading of George Orwell’s ‘Homage to Catalonia’.