philosophy bites

Carissa Véliz on Digital Ethics

Digital Ethics is a new field. What is its main focus? Carissa Véliz discusses digital ethics with Nigel Warburton in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast. 

Listen to Carissa Véliz on Digital Ethics

Mary Warnock on Philosophy and Public Life

What can philosophers contribute to public life? Mary Warnock who was a member of the House of Lords chaired two important commissions - special education needs and on human fertilisation and embryology - discussed how her training in philosophy prepared her for these roles.

Listen to Mary Warnock on Philosophy and Public Life

This episode was first released in 2007. It was our second Philosophy Bites episode.

Mary Warnock died in 2019. There is an obituary here.

We recorded two further Philosophy Bites interviews with Mary Warnock (in 2007 and 2008):

Listen to Mary Warnock on Sartre's Existentialism

Listen to Mary Warnock on the Right to Have a Baby

James Wilson on Real World Ethics

How should we go about deciding what to do? Philosophers often discuss abstract simplified thought experiments. But is the best way to go about things? James Wilson thinks not. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast he explains why. 

Listen to James Wilson Real World Ethics

We are grateful for support for this episode from the Marc Sanders Foundation and from Patreon supporters.

Read James Wilson's essay 'Internal and External Validity in Thought Experiments

Katherine Hawley on Trustworthiness

In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast, Katherine Hawley discusses a concept we all rely on, but rarely question: trustworthiness. Is it always a good trait to have? Can it come into conflict with other traits we value, such as generosity? 

Listen to Katherine Hawley on Trustworthiness

We are very grateful for support from the Marc Sanders Foundation, and from our Patreon supporters, for this episode.

Leif Wenar on Trade and Tyranny

Does it matter where our oil and other resources come from? Leif Wenar, author of the recent book Blood Oil, argues that Western democracies are compromising themselves by buying oil either directly or indirectly from tyrants with atrocious records on human rights. There is a strong case against these trade relationships, and, practically, they could be ended very swiftly.

Listen to Leif Wenar on Trade and Tyranny

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Shelly Kagan on Speciesism

Peter Singer famously argued that many of us are guilty of speciesism in our dealings with animals - we give unreasonable priority to humans over other the interests of other animals. Speciesism is like racism and other prejudices in many respects. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast, Shelly Kagan outlines and criticises Singer's arguments for this position, and in the process makes some interesting points  about prejudice in general. 

Listen to Shelly Kagan on Speciesism

 

Jonathan Webber on Deception With Words

Lying is one way of deceiving with words, but it's not the only way. Jonathan Webber explores the morality of deception with words in conversation with Nigel Warburton.

Listen to Jonathan Webber on Deception With Words

Read Jonathan Webber's article 'Liar!' (Analysis)

 

Dale Jamieson on Green Virtues

How should we live? This is a basic philosophical question, but at at time when human beings' actions are devastating the environment, we need to cultivate specific virtues, green virtues. Dale Jamieson outlines some of these virtues in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Dale Jamieson on Green Virtues

 

Les Green on Same Sex Marriage

Are there any reasonable objections to same sex marriage? Leslie Green discusses this issue in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Les Green on Same Sex Marriage

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy

Gary L. Francione on Animal Abolitionism

How should we treat non-human animals? Is it enough not to cause them harm? In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Gary Francione argues that we need to go one step further than Jeremy Bentham did and abolish all use of animals. He calls his approach abolitionism.

Listen to Gary L. Francione on Animal Abolitionism

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy