philosophy bites

Vagueness and Ethics: intervews with Robert Williams and Ofra Magidor

​Sometimes, there is vagueness about whether it is morally permissible (or even in some situations required) to perform a certain act—moral vagueness. What is the source of moral vagueness? 

These two episodes of the Philosophy Bites podcast have been made in association with Vagueness & Ethics, a research project funded by the European Commission (grant agreement number 101028625 — H2020-MSCA-IF-2020) and led by Miguel Dos Santos at Uppsala University in Sweden

Listen to Robert Williams on Decision Making Under Indeterminacy 

Listen to Ofra Magidor on Epistemicism and Moral Vagueness

 

Jonathan Birch on the Edge of Sentience

Recent zoological research has shown us that a wide range of animals are likely to have sentience. We don't know for sure. There is sufficient evidence to think that it is likely that, for example, lobsters can feel pain. What should we do in the light of this? Jonathan Birch of the LSE,  author of The Edge of Sentience, discusses this important question with Nigel Warburton.

Listen to Jonathan Birch on the Edge of Sentience

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

Theron Pummer on the Rules of Rescue

You might not have an obligation to risk your life saving other people, but if you do, you should opt for saving the greatest number you can. So thinks Theron Pummer. He discusses why with David Edmonds. 

Listen to Theron Pummer on the Rules of Rescue

William MacAskill on Longtermism

When we make moral decisions do we need to take into account their effect on future people? What weight should we give to these people's interests. William MacAskill argues for longtermism and this has some controversial consequences. He discusses longtermism with David Edmonds.

Listen to William MacAskill on Longtermism

Kieran Setiya on Loneliness

What is loneliness, and what can philosophers say about it? Kieran Setiya discusses loneliness with Nigel Warburton in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast. 

Listen to Kieran Setiya on Loneliness

Peter Singer on Consequentialism

Peter Singer's positions on animals, human suffering, poverty, and much else besides are all underpinned by his consequentialism: he believes that the right thing to do is to maximise happiness. Here he explains what that means in practice, and in particular what it means for rich people...

 

Listen to Peter Singer on Consequentialism

Listen to a short clip of Peter Singer explaining why he gave the million-dollar Berggruen Prize money away

Listen to a short clip of Peter Singer on the importance of writing clearly in the humanities and in philosophy

 

Previous interviews with Peter Singer on Philosophy Bites:

Listen to Peter Singer on Life and Death Decision-Making

Listen to Peter Singer on Henry Sidgwick's Ethics

Listen to Peter Singer on The Life You Can Save

Listen to Peter Singer on Human Use of Animals

 

 

 

Kate Manne on Misogyny and Male Entitlement

Cornell philosopher Kate Manne discusses misognyn, male entitlement, together with the notion of 'himpathy', a term she coined, in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast. Manne is the author of two recent highly influential books, Down Girl and Entitlement.

Listen to Kate Manne on Misogyny and Male Entitlement

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

Christian Miller on the Character Gap

People like to think of themselves as reasonably virtuous, but there is usually a gap between how they think of themselves and how they actually behave. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Christian Miller discusses this gap and how we can close it. 

Listen to Christian Miller on the Character Gap

We are grateful for support for this episode from the Marc Sanders Foundation