philosophy bites

Christian List on Free Will

What is free will? Do we have it? These are thorny questions that divide philosophers. Neuroscience seems to point in the direction of determinism. But Christian List thinks we do have free will. He explains why to David Edmonds. 

Listen to Christian List on Free Will on Philosophy Bites

We are grateful for support from the Marc Sanders Foundation and from our donors on Patreon. 

 

Emily Thomas on Wildly Implausible Metaphysics

Some philosophers have drawn very strange conclusions about the nature of reality. But that doesn't necessarily mean we shouldn't study their work. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Emily Thomas discusses how wildly implausible metaphysics can be enlightening when we learn the reasons why these philosophers adopted these positions. 

Listen to Emily Thomas on Wildly Implausible Metaphysics

We are grateful for support from the Marc Sanders Foundation and from our donors on Patreon. 

 

Helen Beebee on Possible Worlds

Philosophers sometimes talk about other possible worlds to explore the one we live in, others, such as David Lewis, even believe that all possible worlds actually exist. Helen Beebee explains how philosophers use possible world scenarios and why this matters in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast. 

Listen to Helen Beebee on Possible Worlds

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

You can subscribe to Philosophy Bites on iTunes, or buy our app from the app store. You can also find us on Spotify (mobile only).

Links to Helen Beebee's publications 

 

Catherine Wilson on Epicureanism

Epicureanism is often caricatured as a philosophy of indulgence. But what did followers of Epicurus really believe and do? Catherine Wilson discusses Epicureanism and its legacy in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Catherine Wilson on Epicureanism

 

Graham Priest on Buddhism and Philosophy

In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Graham Priest discusses some key philosophical ideas that emerge from the Buddhist tradition, including questions about the nature of the self, reality, and how we should live.

Listen to Graham Priest on Buddhism and Philosophy

Tim Williamson on the Appeal of Relativism

Relativism has popular appeal. But why? Tim Williamson Wykeham Professor of Logic at Oxford University, (and also @tetralogue on Twitter),  discusses this question, and attempts to immunise us against sloppy thinking in this area.

Listen to Tim Williamson on the Appeal of Relativism

Please consider supporting our podcast via Patreon, or use the PayPal buttons to donate on this weblog

Tom Stoneham on George Berkeley's Immaterialism

George Berkeley is famous for the counterintuitive position that objects are just ideas. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Tom Stoneham clarifies what Berkeley actually believed and his grounds for believing it. 

Listen to Tom Stoneham on George Berkeley's Immaterialism

Help keep Philosophy Bites free: donate via the Paypal buttons in the weblog lefthand column at www.philosophybites.com

Kit Fine on What is Metaphysics?

Metaphysics is the philosophical study of reality. But what does that mean? Philosopher Kit Fine explains what metaphysics is and what it can tell us in conversation with Nigel Warburton in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Kit Fine on What is Metaphysics?

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

Luciano Floridi on the Fourth Revolution

New technology has changed our relationship to one another and to the world, argues Luciano Floridi. This calls for a shake up in philosophy.

Listen to Luciano Floridi on the Fourth Revolution