philosophy bites

Colin McGinn on Descartes on Innate Knowledge

Where do our ideas come from? According to René Descartes at least some of them are innate, acquired indpendently of experience. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Colin McGinn explains why he thinks that Descartes' view of the mind has something to be said for it, particularly when combined with Leibniz's insight that innate ideas must be initially unconscious.

Listen to Colin McGinn on Descartes on Innate Knowledge

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy

 

A.C. Grayling on Descartes' Cogito

Anthony Grayling, author of a recent biography of René Descartes, explores Descartes' Cogito argument, the pivotal argument of the Meditations, in conversation with Nigel Warburton in this episode of Philosophy Bites.

Listen to A.C. Grayling on Descartes' Cogito Argument

Read Simon Blackburn's review of Grayling's biography of Descartes

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