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

 

Philip Pettit on Republicanism

What is republicanism? Philip Pettit discusses this important political tradition in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast, emphasizing the centrality of a principle of non-domination. 

Listen to Philip Pettit on Republicanism

Listen to an earlier Philosophy Bites interview: Philip Pettit on Group Agency

Listen to an earlier Philosophy Bites interview: Philip Pettit on Consequentialism

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy

 

Adrian Moore on Philosophy and Its History

Why isn't studying the history of philosophy like a visit to a museum of outmoded ideas? The history of early science doesn't usually inform contemporary science? Why is philosophy so different in this respect? Adrian Moore, author of a new book on the history of philosophy, The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics, explores these ideas in conversation with Nigel Warburton in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Adrian Moore on Philosophy and Its History

Listen to an earlier Philosophy Bites interview with Adrian Moore on Kant's Metaphysics

Listen to an earlier Philosophy Bites interview with Adrian Moore on Infinity

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy

NB Nigel Warburton, Julian Baggini, and Natalie Haynes will be discussing the question 'Why Isn't Old Philosophy Just History?' at the Watershed, Bristol on 13th May at 4pm as part of the Festival of Ideas. Further details and booking information for this event here.

   

Brian Leiter on the Analytic/Continental Distinction

Many philosophers self-identify as 'analytic' or 'continental' philosophers. But does this sort of label make sense? Brian Leiter, who, amongst other things, is an expert on Nietzsche, is sceptical of the value of the terms as typically used. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast he explains why. 

Listen to Brian Leiter on the Analytic/Contintental Distinction

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy

A Little History of Philosophy by Nigel Warburton

A Little History of Philosophy, Nigel Warburton's latest book, is now available in the UK.

Read Julian Baggini's review of A Little History of Philosophy

Peter Singer on Henry Sidgwick's Ethics

In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Peter Singer explains why the Victorian philosopher Henry Sidgwick, who died in 1900, is so important to the utilitarian tradition.

Listen to Peter Singer on Henry Sidgwick's Ethics

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy

 

Brian Leiter on Nietzsche Myths

Friedrich Nietzsche is famous for many things, including the idea of  the  Übermensch, The Will to Power and his sceptical beliefs about truth that make him a precursor of much postmodern thinking. But according to Nietzsche expert Brian Leiter (the man behind the Leiter Reports Weblog) close reading of his work tells a different story.

Listen to Brian Leiter on Nietzsche Myths

Brian Leiter's Nietzsche Weblog

Ben Rogers on Pascal's Pensées

Blaise Pascal's Pensées is renowned as a great book. Yet few philosophers know much more about it than that it contains Pascal's famous 'Wager' in which he purports to demonstrate that a rational agnostic should gamble on God's existence. Here Ben Rogers explains the context in which the book was written and outlines its key themes.

Listen to Ben Rogers on Pascal's Pensées

Sebastian Gardner on Jean-Paul Sartre on Bad Faith

Jean-Paul Sartre's Being and Nothingness is sometimes described as the bible of existentialism. At its core is the notion of Bad Faith. For this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Sebastian Gardner, author of a recent book about Being and Nothingness, explains what Sartre meant by Bad Faith.

Listen to Sebastian Gardner on Sartre on Bad Faith

Raymond Tallis on Parmenides

Parmenides was possibly the greatest of the pre-Socratic philosophers. Raymond Tallis, author of a recent book on this philosopher, The Enduring Significance of Parmenides, discusses his ideas and influences with Nigel Warburton in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Raymond Tallis on Parmenides

Read Raymond Tallis' article on Parmenides from Prospect