Heaven in disorder What does Russia's war in Ukraine reveal about our modern world? Is there an inconvenient truth hidden behind our reactions to the conflict? Join Slavoj Zizek as he explores the current state of the world, focusing on the decay of our social and political institutions and ideologies. Slavoj is a Slovenian Marxist-Lacanian philoso…

The puzzle of perception with Barry C. Smith Has philosophy ignored taste, smell, and touch to its detriment? What can we learn from these senses, and why are they important? What do they have to tell us about being human? Join philosopher Barry C. Smith as he gives an introduction to his most recent subject matter: the philosophy of the senses, be…

The matrix, myths, and metaphysics Part 2 Is metaphysics still relevant? Or has the pre-eminence of science over the last centuries made such questioning obsolete? Join provocative mathematician and investor Eric Weinstein, award-winning physicist Becky Parker and post-post-realist philosopher Hilary Lawson as they discuss what role, if any, metaph…

The matrix, myths, and metaphysics Part 1 Is metaphysics still relevant? Or has the pre-eminence of science over the last centuries made such questioning obsolete? Join provocative mathematician and investor Eric Weinstein, award-winning physicist Becky Parker and post-post-realist philosopher Hilary Lawson as they discuss what role, if any, metaph…

PART 3 of Does life have meaning Series: How do we find meaning (and happiness) in the contemporary age? Nihilism, the abandonment of all fundamental beliefs, may appear a hopeless outlook. Yet perhaps it also has potential. Join philosopher Nolen Gertz as he explores the history of nihilism to give us a complex image of it as something we can lear…

PART 3 of Does life have meaning Series: How do we find meaning (and happiness) in the contemporary age? Nihilism, the abandonment of all fundamental beliefs, may appear a hopeless outlook. Yet perhaps it also has potential. Join philosopher Nolen Gertz as he explores the history of nihilism to give us a complex image of it as something we can lear…

PART 2 of Does life have meaning Series: How do we find meaning (and happiness) in the contemporary age? In the so-called 'happiest' countries in the world, the uncomfortable reality of high rates of depression, suicidality, chronic pain, and social isolation are obscured by the conflation of happiness with capitalist conformity. In this intriguing…

PART 1 of Does life have meaning Series: How do we find meaning (and happiness) in the contemporary age? Humans have a special need for meaning in their life. A life without meaning, many would agree, has no value. But what does meaning actually mean? And how can we ensure our life is full of it? Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science John V…

Can art vanquish evil? In a largely secular culture what are we to make of evil? In a rational and relativistic climate without superstitutions, have we lost a cultural space in which to engage with evil? Should we abandon the notion altogether as anachronistic or is it essential in the fight for a better world? Filmmaker Mike Figgis, Artistic Dire…

Can art vanquish evil? In a largely secular culture what are we to make of evil? In a rational and relativistic climate without superstitutions, have we lost a cultural space in which to engage with evil? Should we abandon the notion altogether as anachronistic or is it essential in the fight for a better world? Filmmaker Mike Figgis, Artistic Dire…

Contemporary life is defined by excess. There must always be more, but there is never enough... Is the pursuit of happiness a terrible mistake? Join firebrand philosopher, Slavoj Žižek, as he argues the joys of excess are flimsy and futile and asks whether we can ever find a way out. Slavoj Žižek is a world-renowned philosopher, cultural critic and…

What should guide our actions? We all have epiphanies. Yet most of us choose to ignore them, and trust in reason to determine our path in life. Join philosopher Sophie-Grace Chappell, who argues that we should allow our epiphanies to guide our actions. Sophie-Grace Chappell is a Professor of Philosophy at the Open University who writes about ethics…

What should guide our actions? We all have epiphanies. Yet most of us choose to ignore them, and trust in reason to determine our path in life. Join philosopher Sophie-Grace Chappell, who argues that we should allow our epiphanies to guide our actions. Sophie-Grace Chappell is a Professor of Philosophy at the Open University who writes about ethics…

Should we follow our philosophical conclusions wherever they take us? Or is there a hard wall of common sense that we are beholden to? Listen to some of today's leading philosophers in science and metaphysics as they talk it out! Tim Maudlin is Professor of Philosophy at New York University as well as the Founder/Director of the John Bell Institute…

Have you heard of Descartes' 'demon'? How can a mythical creature inform scientific progress? What is real? Listen in to find out! Join award-winning science historian Jimena Canales in this studio interview as she discusses the process of discovery and the nature of the unknown in science. Jimena Canales is a pioneering historian of science and an…

Is the real world unreachable due to the mediation of language? Or has the linguistic turn in philosophy and academia gone too far? Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes Join post-realist philosopher Hilary Lawson, professor of logic Michael Potter and philosopher of language John Searle as they discuss…

How much should we really value altruism? Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes From charity-givers, to those who sacrifice themselves in war for others, we see altrusim and selflessness as virtues to be applauded. Those who take no heed of their own interests are highly praised in Western culture. But …