Recent Episodes

What Is Game Theory?

August 16, 2026

Game theory is a set of mathematical techniques for thinking about how people should choose when their choices interact. But real people aren’t exactly rational actors. Can a mathematical model explain real-world decisions? How can game theorists account for the fact that we don’t always…

Race Matters

February 2, 2020

Started in the wake of George Zimmerman’s 2013 acquittal in the death of Trayvon Martin,…

Silhouette of a person with "Race Still Matters" in their mind, contrasted with a teacher saying "Race is behind us.

Post-Truth Politics

January 19, 2020

You’ve probably heard about the dangerous effects of fake news, and the spread of sensational…

Vintage TV screen showing static; "Invasion of Fake News!" overlayed; people fleeing. Post-truth politics.

Ken Taylor Tribute

December 29, 2019

The Philosophy Talk team is deeply saddened by Ken Taylor’s untimely passing this month. Ken…

Ken Taylor speaking at a podium, giving a presentation.

Cognitive Bias

December 15, 2019

Aristotle thought that rationality was the faculty that distinguished humans from other animals. However, psychological…

Illustration of 'i' and π; 'i' says 'Be rational,' π says 'Get real,' illustrating cognitive bias.

Habermas and Democracy

December 1, 2019

Jürgen Habermas is regarded as one of the last great public intellectuals of Europe and…

Jürgen Habermas at a conference, "Habermas" nameplate visible.

Nonhuman Rights

November 24, 2019

Human rights—like freedom from discrimination and slavery— are fundamental rights and freedoms that every person…

Close-up of a chimpanzee's thoughtful face, advocating for nonhuman rights.

The Space-Time Continuum

October 13, 2019

Strange things are said about time: that it’s illusory, that it has no direction. But…

Two clocks in infinity symbol, space-time continuum background

Queerness

September 15, 2019

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual… it is safe to say that new ideas of gender…

Colorful portraits of diverse individuals, representing queerness and identity.

Freedom of Speech on Campus

August 25, 2019

In the last few years, conservatives and liberals alike have accused activists on college campuses…

Is free speech under fire on campus? Graphic with related terms: social justice warrior, trigger warning, safe space.

Philosophy Behind Bars

August 18, 2019

In 1994, Congress eliminated federal funding for college education in prisons. It was, they argued,…

Inmates and a female instructor participate in a prison philosophy class.

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