Episodes
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The consciousness test
Could an artificial intelligence be capable of genuine conscious experience?
Coming from a range of different scientific and philosophical perspectives, Yoshua Bengio, Sabine Hossenfelder, Nick Lane, and Hilary Lawson dive deep into the question of whether artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT could one day become self-aware, and whether they have already achieved this state.
Yoshua Bengio is a Turing Award-winning computer scientist. Sabine Hossenfelder is a science YouTuber and theoretical physicist. Nick Lane is an evolutionary biochemist. Hilary Lawson is a post-postmodern philosopher.
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Should we sacrifice the present for a better future?
Join the team at the IAI for three articles about effective altruism, longtermism, and the complex evolution of moral thought. Written by William MacAskill, James W. Lenman, and Ben Chugg, these three articles pick apart the ethical movement started by Peter Singer, analysing its strengths and weaknesses for both individuals and societies.
William MacAskill is a Scottish philosopher and author, best known for writing 2022's "What We Owe the Future." James W. Lenman is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield, as well as the former president of the British Society for Ethical Theory. Ben Chugg is a BPhD student in the machine learning department at Carnegie Mellon University. He also co-hosts the Increments podcast.
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Missing episodes?
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Why do we love evil?
We may condemn tyrants and abhor serial killers, but we are obsessed with evil and violence. Our news and our entertainment focus on such material. Are we fascinated by evil, violent characters because they make life more exciting? Or because they express our true nature? Should we look to end this morbid obsession, or accept it as a feature of humanity?
Join Terry Eagleton, Susan Neiman, and Stephen de Wijze for a debate about why evil is so seductive to modern society. Terry Eagleton is is a literary theorist, critic, and public intellectual. Susan Neiman is a moral philosopher and cultural commentator. Stephen de Wijze is senior lecturer in political theory at Manchester, whose work concerns the interface between ethical constraints and political action.
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Morality and prejudice
Is there such a thing as morality? And, if so, can we know what it is and act on it? Or is morality rather a shield for the powerful and a defence of their interest? The answer may have life-changing consequences...
Join a heated debate between three philosophers with three different perspectives on the meaning of morality and the role it should play in our lives: Tommy Curry, Chair of Africana philosophy at Edinburgh and a moral sceptic; Michael Huemer, Professor of Philosophy at Boulder and a moral realist; and Melis Erdur, Professor at the Open University of Israel and representing a compromise between realism and scepticism on morality. The debate is inconclusive, but opens important questions on how we should relate to morality and ethics.
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Humans are not morally superior
Is the meat industry a monstrous tyrant?
Join YouTuber Alex O'Connor for a thought-provoking talk on the ethics, or lack thereof, of eating meat. From a horrifying look at the practices of the meat industry to provocative analogies and compelling arguments, Alex doesn't hold back as he holds up a mirror to our modern dietary culture.
Alex O’Connor, also known by his YouTube alias ‘CosmicSkeptic’, is a prolific philosopher, YouTuber, public speaker and animal welfare activist. His YouTube channel has amassed over 1 million subscribers and discusses issues relating to free speech, free will, animal rights and the philosophical arguments against religion.
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Humanity and the gods of nature
Do animals and nature have an ethical life of their own? Must, or should, we extend our morality to non-human entities, or are their limits to notions of ethics?
Tune in to hear three world-famous philosophers on ethical issues discuss these questions from their different perspectives: Peter Singer has made a name for himself defending the rights and feelings of all sentient creatures; Slavoj Zizek enjoys turning established ideas on their head; and Nancy Sherman always brings insights from her beloved Aristotle and the stoics. The discussion is at times rigorous and philosophical, and other times provocative and fun.
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Creating the meaning of life
Do life's struggles make the search for meaning a hopeless endeavour?
Join renowned, continental philosopher Babette Babich as she explains the Nietzschean path to finding purpose, arguing that we must embrace all elements of life - good and bad - in our search for a meaningful existence.
Babette is a trailblazing philosopher of technology and science. Known for her exploration of the philosophy, history, and sociology of science, she also works on the philosophy of digital media, poetry and art. Babette is a Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, New York City.
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What can ancient philosophers teach you about exercise, economics, and the myth of celebrity?
Join the team at the IAI for three articles about life, ideas, and status in ancient Greece. Written by Etienne Helmer, Steve Fuller, and Sabrina B. Little, these articles cover a range of thought-provoking concepts, including; why Plato wants you to go for a run, how Athenian values can improve our current economic predicament, and what we can learn from the (perhaps embellished) stories of Socrates and Jesus.
Sabrina B. Little is an Assistant Professor at Christopher Newport University and the author of "The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners," published by Oxford University Press. Sabrina's research is in virtue ethics, classical philosophy, and moral psychology. She is also a 5-time US Champion and World Championship silver medallist in trail and ultramarathon running.
Steve Fuller is a postmodern philosopher, Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick, and the author of "Popper vs. Kuhn," and "Dissent Over Descent: Intelligent Design's Challenge to Darwinism."
Etienne Helmer is a philosopher at the University of Puerto Rico, specialising in the philosophy of economics, politics, and the sociology of ancient Greece.
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What both religion and stoicism misunderstood
Philosophy and religion appear alternatively dry and ascetic. But is that our misunderstanding? What role do the passions play in our intellectual and mystical life? Can it ever be removed?
Join former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams (a deeply thoughtful theologian, writer, and poet) as he faces these questions head on, guiding us through his 2024 book Passions of the Soul, which focuses on the Eastern Christian tradition to help illuminate the role of passion, and the body, in early Christian teachings and in philosophy and religion more broadly. He is interviewed by public philosopher Angie Hobbes, who shares his fascination for ancient and medieval wisdom.
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Massimo Pigliucci | In-depth Interview
How can philosophy play an active role in daily life? How can ancient philosophical traditions like stoicism help us navigate modern challenges? Why does scepticism remain relevant in a world dominated by technology and information overload? In this interview, Massimo Pigliucci explores these questions, advocates stoicism as a philosophy to live by, delves into the enduring value of stoicism, and reflects on the philosophers who have most profoundly influenced his thinking.
Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster and philosophy professor at the City College of New York and former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast. His research interests include the Philosophy of Science and the Philosophy of Biology. Pigliucci is, and always has been, a vehement critic of creationism and pseudoscience and a central advocate for secularism and science in education. His most recent works include a FieldGuide to a Happy Life and How to be a Stoic. He has contributed to numerous TedTalks and his lectures are widely available on youtube. He is the author of several books including How to be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (2017) and Philosophy of Pseudoscience: Reconsidering the Demarcation Problem (2013).
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Stoicism reimagined
With the modern revival of stoic philosophy, plenty of ancient wisdom has returned to the modern world - but what ideas have we consigned to history?
These days, we think of stoicism as a philosophy that preaches a fearless self-reliance and detachment from the challenges of the world. However, distinguished philosopher Nancy Sherman argues that this is an incomplete understanding of Stoicism, and that the modern Stoic must also focus on cultivating strong relationships in the outside world.
Nancy Sherman is professor of philosophy at Georgetown University, having previously taught at Yale University, John Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland. Nancy was also the inaugural Distinguished Chair in Ethics at the United States Naval Academy, and she has written six books, including; "Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons For Modern Resilience", "Stoic Warriors: The Ancient Philosophy Behind the Military Mind", and "Afterwar: Healing the Moral Wounds of Our Soldiers".
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Why is stoicism one of the most well-known and read philosophical strains in the contemporary age? After 2000+ years, what is its continued appeal?
Join philosopher Nancy Sherman, an expert in ancient philosophy, as she delves into her attraction to the topic and the ways she believes it applies to the contemporary age. A good introductory episode to the topic for those interested in learning more.
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How to be a Stoic
What can Zeno of Citium teach you about going to the movie theatre?
Join philosopher and author Massimo Pigliucci for part two of a series on the ancient practice of Stoicism, exploring and analysing ideas from Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Zeno of Citium.
Massimo Pigliucci is an American philosopher and biologist who currently works as professor of philosophy at the City College of New York. He is also the former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast, and former editor-in-chief for the online magazine Scientia Salon. He is a critic of pseudoscience and creationism, as well as an advocate for secularism and science education. Massimo's recent work has focused on stoicism, having written three books on the topic, including 'The Stoic Guide to a Happy Life' and 'How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life'.
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How to be a Stoic
What can Marcus Aurelius teach you about the iPhone?
Join philosopher and author Massimo Pigliucci for part one of a series on the ancient practice of Stoicism, exploring and analysing ideas from Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Zeno of Citium.
Massimo Pigliucci is an American philosopher and biologist who currently works as professor of philosophy at the City College of New York. He is also the former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast, and former editor-in-chief for the online magazine Scientia Salon. He is a critic of pseudoscience and creationism, as well as an advocate for secularism and science education. Massimo's recent work has focused on stoicism, having written three books on the topic, including 'The Stoic Guide to a Happy Life' and 'How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life'.
To witness such talks live, buy tickets for our upcoming festival: https://howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/
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Has contemporary philosophy colonised all philosophy with its preference for rationality over feeling, intensity, experience, and love? What can an open conversation about mysticism help us uncover about our philosophical tradition and ourselves?
Join maverick Professor of Philosophy Simon Critchley as he talks about his new book On Mysticism and explores some of the mystical characters in the Medieval times, as well as ways in which we can access mysticism in our daily lives.
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Ways to go beyond: Why spiritual journeys draw non-religious people
Did pilgrimage go out of fashion or did it simply take on a new form?
Join biologist and psychic phenomena researcher Rupert Sheldrake as he analyses the history of pilgrimage, going all the way from its ancient roots in religious ceremony to its modern incarnation of tourism.
Rupert Sheldrake is an English scientist whose research into parapsychology and evolution led to the theory of morphic resonance, expounded in the book 'A New Science of Life'. The theory posits that "memory is inherent in nature" which makes it possible for "telepathy-type interconnections between organisms." Other topics he has written and spoken on include precognition, the relationships between spirituality and science and the psychic staring effect. Sheldrake's most recent book is 'Science and Spiritual Practices'.
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Are you ready to discover the true meaning of Christmas?
Join the team at the IAI for three Christmas-themed articles, written by James Mahon, Tim O'Keefe, and the IAI editorial team. In this present, you'll find a scathing analysis of the Santa Claus lie, an Epicurean reflection on holiday traditions, and musings about Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and their relationship with Christmas!
Tim O'Keefe is professor of philosophy and director of graduate studies at Georgia State University. He is also the author of 'Epicurus on Freedom' and 'Epicureanism'. James Mahon is chair of the CUNY-Lehman College Philosophy Department, He has written extensively on the ethics of lying and is the author of 'Kant On Lies'.
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In search of oneself
Should we see self-knowledge as an aim not only misguided, but actively dangerous? Is self-knowledge in fact impossible for as Nietzsche argued we have to use the self to uncover the self? Or is self-reflection a vital and rewarding activity that uncovers meaning and improves our ability to act well in the world?
Joanna Kavenna hosts this debate on how our contemporary culture is influenced, shaped and potentially misinformed by our most recent self-help culture. Joining her are Frank Furedi, an emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent, John Vervaeke, an award-winning professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, and Isabel Millar, an associate resercher at Newcastle University.
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Thinking set free
Look for part 1 of this episode from earlier this week! Join our panel of speakers (consciousness researcher Stuart Hameroff, evolutionary critic Subrena Smith, and psychologist Paul Bloom) as they explore the limits of rationality, while still defending its importance to how we think and live in the world.
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Thinking set free
Is the emphasis our modern society places on rationality well-placed? Does rationality help us think or should we be in tune with other ways of thinking/perceiving the world?
Join our diverse panel of speakers as they discuss these questions: Stuart Hameroff, anesthesiologist known for the theory of consciousness he developed with Roger Penrose; Subrena Smith, philosopher and vocal critic of evolutionary explanations of behaviour; and Paul Bloom, professor of psychology and cognitive science (and staunch defender of rationality).
To witness such debates live buy tickets for our upcoming festival: https://howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/
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