Philosophy: The Classics

Nigel Warburton

4.4 (238)
PHILOSOPHY

Author Nigel Warburton reads from his book Philosophy: The Classics which is an introduction to 27 key works in the history of Philosophy

07/21/2008

Soren Kierkegaard - Either/Or

Soren Kierkegaard's Either/Or is an oblique but brilliant contribution to philosophy. In this episode of Philosophy: The Classics author Nigel Warburton summarises the book and considers several interpretations of it.

17 min
04/17/2008

John Stuart Mill - Utilitarianism

Is it better to be a happy pig or a sad Socrates? John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism is the topic of this episode of Philosophy: The Classics.

13 min
04/04/2008

John Stuart Mill On Liberty

Published in 1859, the same year as Darwin's Origin of Species, John Stuart Mill's On Liberty remains the classic statement of individual freedom. Here I summarise some of its main themes and outline some criticisms that have been made of it.

17 min
11/03/2007

Schopenhauer - The World as Will and Idea

What is the nature of reality? Why can music be so profound? Are we doomed to suffer or is extended happiness possible? Should we choose a life of asceticism? These are some of the questions that Arthur Schopenhauer addressed in The World as Will and Idea. In this episode of Philosophy: The Classics Nigel Warburton outlines and criticizes Schopenhauer's great book.

13 min
10/01/2007

Kant - Groundwork of Metaphysic of Morals

Immanuel Kant's ethical stance is uncompromising: you must do your moral duty whatever the consequences. In this reading from his book Philosophy: The Classics, Nigel Warburton outlines the main features of Kant's approach and sketches some criticisms of it.

14 min
09/10/2007

Kant - Critique of Pure Reason

What is our relation to reality? Are some features of our experience conditions of our having any experience at all? In this reading from his book Philosophy: The Classics Nigel Warburton attempts to summarise Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, a notoriously difficult yet important book.

13 min
08/20/2007

Rousseau - Social Contract

How should society be organised? Can you force someone to be free? Jean-Jacques Rousseau's controversial The Social Contract is the subject of this podcast chapter of Nigel Warburton's book Philosophy: The Classics.

13 min
08/11/2007

Hume - Dialogues

Does the apparent design in the natural world point to the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient and benevolent God? In his posthumous Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, perhaps his finest work, David Hume put some devastating criticisms of the Design Argument in the mouths of his characters. Listen to Nigel Warburton reading this summary of the book.

16 min

See All (18)

4.4

out of 5

238 Ratings

Helpful overviews

09/29/2015

Amberdfq

A great overview but he talks SO quickly that it's hard to absorb the analysis. He also does not pause at all at the end of sentences or between sections. Just a one second pause would make a world of difference! Please!
Excellent but Please Turn up the Volume

12/26/2024

mememe45610956734

Mr. Warburton's podcasts are always compelling and informed. However, even when wearing headphones, I sometimes strain to hear his points and have to rewind to hear clearly. Granted, that makes me pay more attention but a tad of corective EQ or volume boost for mobile devices would be much appreciated.
Too many pauses

09/27/2021

Rajaoc

Stop pausing so much!!! I’m falling asleep between sentences here.
Excellent

04/02/2019

ianajones

You might consider raising the general volume of the podcasts as they seem quieter than others