Recent Episodes

Democracy By Numbers

November 1, 2026

Despite adhering to the principle of “one person, one vote,” elections in the United States are often highly contentious: presidents can be elected after losing the popular vote, there is widespread gerrymandering and voter purging, and not everyone has equal representation in the Senate. So…

Can Reason Save Us?

June 13, 2021

To an optimist, things are constantly getting better: disease and extreme poverty are down; life…

Sunbeams break through clouds, the word REASON is prominently displayed.

The Psychology of Cruelty

May 30, 2021

Throughout history, people have committed all kinds of cruel, degrading, and evil acts toward other…

Brain targeted by crosshairs, illustrating the psychology of cruelty.

The Ethics of Algorithms

April 18, 2021

Recent years have seen the rise of machine learning algorithms surrounding us in our homes…

Diagram showing algorithm ethics: thumbs up leads to positive feedback (five stars) and theatrical masks representing positive and negative user experiences.

Does Science Over-reach?

April 4, 2021

We’ve all heard the phrase, “You can’t argue with science.” Appealing to scientific fact as…

Graphic: SCIENCE Ruining Everything Since 1543. Image shows crossed-out icons of the geocentric model, a mythical creature, and a unicorn, questioning science's impact.

John Rawls

February 21, 2021

John Rawls was one of the most influential political philosophers of the twentieth century. In…

Black and white portrait of John Rawls

What Is Love?

February 14, 2021

It may seem doubtful that philosophers have much to tell us about love (beyond their…

Red heart with wooden blocks spelling "LOVE".

The Examined Year: 2020

December 27, 2020

The Year in Pandemic Ethics with Karen Stohr from Georgetown University, Senior Research Scholar at the…

Wooden 2020 numerals examined with magnifying glass

Faith and Humility

December 20, 2020

Some would argue that faith requires that one blindly—rather than rationally— believe. Faith in one…

Silhouette of a kneeling man contemplating; the word HUMILITY is overlaid.

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