philosophy bites

Mark Vernon on Friendship

What is friendship? Can Philosophy help us understand friendship? Mark Vernon, author of The Philosophy of Friendship discusses these questions in this episode of Philosophy Bites.

Listen to Mark Vernon on Friendship

Read Guardian article by Mark Vernon about Friendship

G.A. Cohen on Inequality of Wealth

Can an egalitarian be rich without being guilty of hypocrisy? How should we think about wealth and inequality? G.A.Cohen, author of a book with the provocative title If You're An Egalitarian, How Come Your'e So Rich? addresses these questions in this episode of Philosophy Bites.

Listen to G.A.Cohen on Inequality of Wealth

Barry Stroud on Scepticism

Can I trust my senses? Can I tell that I'm not now dreaming? Some philosophical sceptics have maintained that we can't know anything for certain. Barry Stroud discusses the challenge posed by such sceptics in this episode of Philosophy Bites.

Listen to Barry Stroud on Scepticism

Julian Baggini on Thought Experiments

Philosophers often use elaborate thought experiments in their writing. Are these anything more than rhetorical flourishes? Or do they reveal important aspects of the questions under discussion. Julian Baggini, editor of The Philosophers' Magazine and author of a book, The Pig That Wants To Be Eaten, which surveys some of the most interesting and imaginative thought experiments philosophers have used discusses this topic with Nigel Warburton. David Edmonds introduces the interview.

Listen to Julian Baggini on Thought Experiments

Susan James on Spinoza on the Passions

Baruch de Spinoza was a highly original thinker and his Ethics provides an interesting analysis of the human condition. In this episode of Philosophy Bites Susan James discusses Spinoza's views on the passions.

Listen to Susan James on Spinoza on the Passions