The Philosopher's Arms

BBC Radio 4
  • 4.8 (23)
  • PHILOSOPHY

Matthew Sweet examines philosophical problems with a live audience in a pub

  1. 02/28/2017

    Swearing

    Matthew Sweet examines knotty philosophical conundrums in an abstract pub.

    28 min

  2. 02/28/2017

    Cake or Biscuit?

    Is a Jaffa Cake a cake or a biscuit? A tough question for Matthew Sweet and the drinkers at The Philosopher's Arms, a pub offering both beer and philosophy. Among those helping him resolve this important conundrum are a Cambridge professor of philosophy and a former winner of the Great British Bake Off, who will be turning up in the pub with a very large, and possibly quite tasty, Jaffa Cake. Producer: David Edmonds.

    28 min

  3. 02/28/2017

    Hypocrisy

    What's wrong with hypocrisy? The Philosopher's Arms, everyone's favourite abstract pub, is back with a pint and a philosophical conundrum. This week, presenter Matthew Sweet is joined at at the bar by philosopher Lisa Bortolotti and political scientist David Runciman. Plus human rights activist, Peter Tatchell, who in the past has publicly exposed people whom he has accused of hypocrisy. Producer: David Edmonds.

    28 min

  4. 12/21/2015

    Future People

    The Philosopher's Arms, presented by Matthew Sweet, asks what sort of people should we bring into the world. In the pub this week are, among others, Oxford University professor Jeff McMahan and disability studies expert Tom Shakespeare. Producer: David Edmonds.

    28 min

  5. 12/14/2015

    Hate Speech

    The Philosopher's Arms, presented by Matthew Sweet, asks whether speech can harm. Helping us come to an answer, we have a philosopher, cartoonist and a man who was arrested for hate speech.

    28 min

  6. 12/08/2015

    Weakness of Will

    The Philosopher's Arms asks how we can, at the same time, both want and not want a cream cake. In the pub we have a philosopher, neuroscientists and champion dieter. And a lot of sugar.

    28 min

  7. 11/30/2015

    Lying and Misleading

    The Philosopher's Arms, presented by Matthew Sweet, asks whether there's a moral difference between lying and misleading. In the pub, to help us reach an answer, we have a philosopher, psychologist and political spin-doctor.

    28 min

  8. 10/06/2014

    Sex Equality

    Pints and philosophical problems with Matthew Sweet. Each week the programme examines a knotty philosophical issue: this week, sex equality and pay. Should we expect women to make up 50% of senior positions and, if they do not, is that evidence of discrimination? In the pub for this episode is the philosopher Janet Radcliffe Richards. Producer: David Edmonds.

    28 min
See All (23)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Matthew Sweet examines philosophical problems with a live audience in a pub

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2017
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2017
  • Show Website
    The Philosopher's Arms

More From BBC