Philosopher's Zone

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4.5 (186)
PHILOSOPHY
UPDATED DAILY

The simplest questions often have the most complex answers. The Philosopher's Zone is your guide through the strange thickets of logic, metaphysics and ethics.

1 DAY AGO

Health care ethics: otherness and belonging

In ethical terms, health care systems are supposed to be "blind" to culture, offering the same level of care and respect to all patients regardless of background. Programs promoting diversity and inclusivity in health care are designed to further this aim - and yet for immigrants and other minorities, the practice can fall far from the ideal.

28 min
NOV 7

Sentience

Sentience is a puzzle - and an increasingly important one. The question of exactly what constitutes sentience, and which organisms possess it, is hotly contested. But with scientific evidence emerging in support of the theory that octopuses, bees and other invertebrates may be sentience candidates, moral questions of how we should treat them become more and more pressing. And then there's AI - could sentient robots be on the horizon?

31 min
OCT 30

Nationalism and immigration

Nationalism is often associated with rightwing politics and anti-immigration sentiment - but is that a necessary connection? This week we're looking at various forms of nationalism, and asking if there's something about the structure of the nation-state itself that fosters an exclusionary attitude to outsiders.

33 min
OCT 24

Philosophy, history and religion

With the launch this week of a new Centre for the History of Philosophy at Notre Dame University, we're talking about the value of philosophical insights from the past – particularly insights from a time when philosophy and theology were close cousins.

41 min
OCT 17

The 2024 Alan Saunders Lecture: Krushil Watene

Maori philosopher Krushil Watene is an outstanding scholar and part of a global leadership network working toward a sustainable future and a healthier planet. This week, delivering the 2024 Alan Saunders Lecture, she presents "Indigenous Philosophy and Intergenerational Justice".

42 min
OCT 10

Is there purpose in the cosmos?

To many people, the notion that the universe has consciousness and purpose belongs back in the pre-scientific era. This week we're exploring the possibility that cosmic purpose is defensible not only philosophically, but also scientifically.

37 min
OCT 3

Feminism and freedom

Is freedom the primary goal of feminism? It's popular these days to define feminism as something that frees women - from traditional gender roles, from social expectations and other restrictions. But the question remains as to whether or not "freedom feminism" is up to the task of helping - or even noticing - the most vulnerable and oppressed.

40 min
SEP 25

Indigenous literature in Australia

As an academic discipline, Australian literature has been a largely white affair, with the canon of "great Australian authors" dominated by Anglo-European men. Indigenous writers are working to change this, and Australian indigenous literature is flourishing. But how comfortably does it sit within the traditional university structure?

28 min

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4.5

out of 5

186 Ratings

Excellent program

Jun 8

Drew A Andrews

Really excellent podcast but the show notes and descriptions for each episode are far too brief and should mention the specific guests and describe the episode more fully.
One of the best!

01/06/2023

evapdvs

Excellent selection of speakers and conversation. This is my favorite philosophy podcast! David is always very considerate and equitable. Thank you for this excellent resource.
Host needs to steer conversation in less predictable ways

05/21/2023

KS-apple

Topics and guests are ok, but it veers into predictable viewpoints constantly on episodes where they don’t belong. I listened to an episode about bilingual parenting, hoping that it would offer philosophical insights into raising kids that speak different languages. Instead I got thirty minutes about racism, gender studies, and colonialism.
Simply the best

11/09/2022

f;akshjg;iurhgld

In terms of production value, content, guests, and interviewers (three over the span of the show), I can definitely say this is my favorite podcast. Check out the website for some of the older ones too. If you’re reading David plz release the downloadable versions of shows on the website like it used to be. Thanks

The simplest questions often have the most complex answers. The Philosopher's Zone is your guide through the strange thickets of logic, metaphysics and ethics.