philosophy bites

Rebecca Newberger Goldstein on Progress in Philosophy

Has philosophy progressed at all since the time of Plato? In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Nigel Warburton discusses this question with the philosopher and novelist Rebecca Newberger Goldstein.

Listen to Rebecca Newberger Goldstein on Progress in Philosophy

 

Michael Ignatieff on Political Theory and Political Practice

Michael Ignatieff is in the unusal position of having seen both philosophy and politics from the inside. He had a career as an academic and as a writer and presenter before entering politics and going on to become leader of Canada's opposition. He lost his seat in the 2011 general election when he had hoped to become Prime Minister. In this Philosophy Bites podcast interview with Nigel Warburton he discusses the relationshiop between theory and practice in politics, the moral ambiguities, and the necessity of having dirty hands to be effective.

Listen to Michael Ignatieff on Political Theory and Political Practice

 

Jessica Moss on Plato and Aristotle on Weakness of Will

You think you know what's best but do something else instead. What's going on? Plato and Aristotle had different approaches to this phenomenon of weakness of will ('akrasia' in Greek). Jessica Moss who has recently moved to New York University discusses their different approaches in this episode of the Philosphy Bites podcast. 

Listen to Jessica Moss on Plato and Aristotle on Weakness of Will

Melissa Lane on Plato and Sustainability

What can the ancients teach us about sustainability? According to Melissa Lane of Princeton University, author of Eco-Republic, quite a lot. She discusses the relevance of Plato to modern environmental problems in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Melissa Lane on Plato and Sustainability

Listen to an earlier Philosophy Bites interview with Melissa Lane on Rousseau and Modern Society

Listen to an earlier Philosophy Bites interview with Melissa Lane on Plato and Totalitarianism

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy.

M.M. McCabe on the Paradox of Inquiry

In Plato's dialogue The Meno, Socrates presents an apparent paradox that makes our ability to learn anything new puzzling. M.M. McCabe discusses this apparent paradox and its relevance in this episode of Philosophy Bites.

Listen to MM McCabe on the Paradox of Inquiry

Roger Crisp on Virtue

What is a virtue? Is ethics a matter of cultivating appropriate virtues, patterns of behaviour prized by particular people at a particular time? Roger Crisp discusses the nature of virtue in this interview with Nigel Warburton for the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Roger Crisp on Virtue

MM McCabe on Socratic Method

What is Socratic Method and does it have any present day applications? In this interview for Philosophy Bites MM McCabe explains the significance of Socrates' impertinent questioning and contrasts his approach with present day university teaching.

Listen to M.M. McCabe on Socratic Method

Melissa Lane on Plato and Totalitarianism

Was Plato's ideal state a totalitarian one? Karl Popper, thought so, and made his case in The Open Society and Its Enemies. Melissa Lane, author of Plato's Progeny discusses Popper's critique of Plato in this episode of Philosophy Bites.

Listen to Melissa Lane on Plato on Totalitarianism

Angie Hobbs on Plato on War

Is war inevitable, given the human condition? What causes human agression? For Plato's Socrates it comes from innate tendencies nurtured in the wrong way. And that's where war comes from. Angie Hobbs gives a fascinating introduction to this aspect of Plato's Republic in this episode of Philosophy Bites.

Listen to Angie Hobbs on Plato on War

Other Audio Resources

Listen to why Angie Hobbs thinks Plato the greatest of all philosophers

Listen to Angie Hobbs on Plato on Erotic Love (an earlier episode of Philosophy Bites)

Listen to Angie Hobbs discussing Socrates on In Our Time

Article by Angie Hobbs on Plato on War
Forthcoming in Maieusis edited by Dominic Scott (see below) a collection of pieces by eminent classics scholars in honour of the work of Myles Burnyeat.

Listen to Myles Burnyeat on Aristotle on Happiness (an earlier episode of Philosophy Bites)

Angie Hobbs on Plato on Erotic Love

The latest episode of Philosophy Bites focuses on Plato's Symposium. Angie Hobbs gives a lively account of the various positions taken on erotic love and sexual desire within that dialogue. (This podcast episode includes mild sexual references).

Listen to Angie Hobbs on Plato on Erotic Love