Just Questions

Eloise Henry
  • 5.0 (7)
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Have you ever felt certain about something, until you took a moment to really think about it? Just Questions takes modern ethical dilemmas hiding in plain sight and unravels them. Weaving in philosophical ideas that span centuries, each episode aims to leave you with, maybe not clean answers, but sharper questions. New episodes when there’s a new question. justquestionspod.substack.com

  1. 1 Year of Just Questions!

    MAR 12

    1 Year of Just Questions!

    It’s been a year since starting JQ, so to celebrate, we’re going to look back on two of my favorite questions. On today’s episode: * Tourism, from Japan to Hawaii * Elective cosmetic surgery and the illusion of choice Thanks again for a year of tuning in and over 2,500 downloads! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justquestionspod.substack.com

    51 min
  2. PART 2: Can AI and humans love each other?

    FEB 26

    PART 2: Can AI and humans love each other?

    Artificial intelligence is now everywhere. And with the ease of AI and the difficulties of human relationships, a growing population is forgoing human relationships to instead develop relationships with AI. What’s going on here, philosophically: Are these relationships legitimate? Is the love mutual? Can it ever be? Today’s episode, we consider the second half of these relationships—can humans love AI? Along the way, we talk about: * Degrees of love * To what degree we can love AI * The impacts of choosing an AI relationship over a human one Here’s Part 1. Sources: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Robot Sex: Social and Ethical Implications Symposium, by Plato Love Love and Sex with Robots: The Evolution of Human-Robot Relationships – A Provocative Study of AI, Companionship, and Desire Climbing towards NLU: On Meaning, Form, and Understanding in the Age of Data Why people are falling in love with A.I. companions | 60 Minutes Australia This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justquestionspod.substack.com

    18 min
  3. PART 1: Can AI and humans love each other?

    FEB 20

    PART 1: Can AI and humans love each other?

    Artificial intelligence is now everywhere. And with the ease of AI and the difficulties of human relationships, a growing population is forgoing human relationships to instead develop relationships with AI. What’s going on here, philosophically: Are these relationships legitimate? Is the love mutual? Can it ever be? Today’s episode, we consider just one half of these relationships—can AI love humans? To do so, we evaluate: * Various definitions of love * Whether AI can meet the requirements of these different definitions * If AI can’t meet those requirements now, can it ever meet them? Stay tuned for Part 2! Sources: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Robot Sex: Social and Ethical Implications Symposium, by Plato Love Love and Sex with Robots: The Evolution of Human-Robot Relationships – A Provocative Study of AI, Companionship, and Desire Climbing towards NLU: On Meaning, Form, and Understanding in the Age of Data Why people are falling in love with A.I. companions | 60 Minutes Australia This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justquestionspod.substack.com

    19 min
  4. Why does leisure matter?

    JAN 30

    Why does leisure matter?

    In today’s hustle culture, taking a break can feel like a guilty pleasure. But leisure has its own valuable role to play in our mental and physical health. That’s why today, we’re talking about why leisure matters just as much as (and maybe a bit more than!) work. Today’s episode, we consider: * The benefits of work and leisure * Theories on why work is overvalued and leisure undervalued * What “good” leisure looks like Take a break and give it a listen! Sources: Employment is a critical mental health intervention - PMC Association of Returning to Work With Better Health in Working-Aged Adults: A Systematic Review Evidence-based supported employment for people with severe mental illness: Past, current, and future research How leisure activities affect health: a narrative review and multi-level theoretical framework of mechanisms of action In Praise of Idleness, by Bertrand Russell Paul Lafargue: The Right To Be Lazy (1883) Philosophers on Laziness | Issue 154 | Philosophy Now On Moral Duties (De Officiis) | Online Library of Liberty Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle Batoche Books Aristotle on Work vs. Leisure « The Noble Leisure Project This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justquestionspod.substack.com

    16 min
  5. Do you have a duty to take care of your health?

    JAN 8

    Do you have a duty to take care of your health?

    So many New Year’s resolutions are rooted in health goals. Healthy habits are so highly praised that trying to be healthy is practically seen as a moral obligation. Should it be? Today’s episode, we consider: * What’s at stake when we’re deciding whether being healthy should be a moral duty * The arguments in favor of health as a duty * Potential consequences of living in a world where health really does become a duty Sources: The Burden of Chronic Disease - PMC Leading Causes of Death - FastStats Trends in Multiple Chronic Conditions Among US Adults, By Life Stage, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013–2023 Patients have an ethical obligation to their health Personal responsibility within health policy: unethical and ineffective On the person in personal health responsibility A Philosophy of Health: Life as Reality, Health as a Universal Value This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justquestionspod.substack.com

    16 min
  6. Is cosmetic surgery ever a free choice?

    12/18/2025

    Is cosmetic surgery ever a free choice?

    Cosmetic surgery is all around us, but is the “choice” to get cosmetic surgery ever really a choice? Sources: Ethical Issues in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Informed Consent | AMA-Code Medical Ethics in Plastic Surgery: A Mini Review - PMC Persuasive advertising, autonomy, and the creation of desire The Ethics and Responsibilities of Social Media Usage by Plastic Surgeons: A Literature Review | Aesthetic Plastic Surgery THE FOUR PRINCIPLES APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE ETHICS Paternalism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Five Faces of Oppression Informed Consent and Genetic Information WOMEN AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: The Capabilities Approach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justquestionspod.substack.com

    19 min
  7. BONUS: How does gratitude shape us?

    11/27/2025 ·  BONUS

    BONUS: How does gratitude shape us?

    Practicing gratitude is widely encouraged, and its benefits have been enumerated in scientific studies. But, what is the nature of gratitude, and in what way does gratitude lead us to a good life? Sources: Philosophical Perspectives on Gratitude | SpringerLink Gratitude (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Winter 2021 Edition) Gratitude, freedom and refusal Gratitude and Human Flourishing Giving thanks can make you happier - Harvard Health The Science of Gratitude This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justquestionspod.substack.com

    9 min
  8. Should you donate to food banks?

    11/21/2025

    Should you donate to food banks?

    Donating extra food to food banks is commonly regarded as a solution to food waste, but is it that simple? And, is it ethical? Sources: Towards a circular economy in food consumption: Food waste reduction practices as ethical work - Taru Lehtokunnas, Malla Mattila, Elina Närvänen, Nina Mesiranta, 2022 The Circular Economy | Definition & Model Explained | Ellen MacArthur Foundation Wasted Food Scale | US EPA How food banks prevented 1.8 million metric tons of carbon emissions last year Some issues in the ethics of food waste Food Waste, Food Insecurity, and the Circular Economy | Columbia University School of Professional Studies ​​The experiences and perceptions of food banks amongst users in high-income countries: An international scoping review - ScienceDirect This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justquestionspod.substack.com

    13 min
See All (23)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Have you ever felt certain about something, until you took a moment to really think about it? Just Questions takes modern ethical dilemmas hiding in plain sight and unravels them. Weaving in philosophical ideas that span centuries, each episode aims to leave you with, maybe not clean answers, but sharper questions. New episodes when there’s a new question. justquestionspod.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Eloise Henry
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Eloise Henry
  • Show Website
    Just Questions