philosophy bites

Samantha Hill on Hannah Arendt on Pluralism

Hannah Arendt's experience of the Eichmann trial in 1961 and of the reaction to her book about this, Eichmann in Jerusalem, led her to think deeply about politics, truth, and plurality. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Samantha Rose Hill, author of a biography of Arendt, explains the context, and outlines the key features of Arendt's approach.

Listen to Samantha Rose Hill on Hannah Arendt on Plurality

We are grateful for sponsorship of this episode from St John's College. You can find out more about St John's College, including online options, at www.sjc.edu/podcast

 

Teresa Bejan on Civility

What does it mean to be civil in conversation with others? Is it always a virtue? Teresa Bejan, author of Mere Civility, discusses this topic and its long history in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Teresa Bejan on Civility

We are very grateful for the support from the Marc Sanders Foundation in making this episode, and for continuing support from our Patreon patrons and other donors. 

 

Leif Wenar on Trade and Tyranny

Does it matter where our oil and other resources come from? Leif Wenar, author of the recent book Blood Oil, argues that Western democracies are compromising themselves by buying oil either directly or indirectly from tyrants with atrocious records on human rights. There is a strong case against these trade relationships, and, practically, they could be ended very swiftly.

Listen to Leif Wenar on Trade and Tyranny

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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

 

Robert Talisse on the Importance of Argument in Politics

Why is argument so important in politics? In a democracy we have to reason together and convince each other. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Bob Talisse explores what this involves.

Listen to Bob Talisse on the Importance of Argument in Politics

 

John Gardner on Constitutions

What are constitutions? How are we to interpret them? John Gardner, Professor of Jurisprudence at Oxford University, addresses these questions in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to John Gardner on Constitutions

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy (though from June 2013 this arrangement comes to an end and we will be seeking a new sponsor).

Jeff McMahan on Gun Control

The question of whether private gun ownership is reasonable polarises opinion, particulary in the United States. Jeff McMahan examines the arguments in conversation with David Edmonds in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Jeff McMahan on Gun Control

Read a New York Times article by Jeff McMahan on Gun Control

Earlier Philosophy Bites interviews with Jeff McMahan:

Listen to Jeff McMahan on Moral Status

Listen to Jeff McMahan on Vegetarianism

Listen to Jeff McMahan on Killing in War

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy 

Tom Sorell on Surveillance

What, if anything, is wrong with surveillance? How does it affect privacy? Why value privacy anyway? Tom Sorell explains his position on these issues in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast. 

Listen to Tom Sorell on Surveillance

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy 

 

Alan Ryan on Freedom and Its History

Alan Ryan explores questions about what freedom has meant at different times in history in this Philosophy Bites podcast interview with Nigel Warburton. 

Listen to Alan Ryan on Freedom and Its History

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy

 

Richard Sorabji on Mahatma Gandhi as Philosopher

Richard Sorabji discusses Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence with Nigel Warburton for this the 200th episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast. Philosophy Bites has now been downloaded more than 15 million times.

Listen to Richard Sorabji on Mahatma Gandhi as Philosopher

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy