Recent Episodes

The Scandalous Truth about Memoir

May 24, 2026

A memoir is a personal narrative written about a pivotal time in the author’s life. While the story is told from a particular perspective, the events recounted are supposed to be fact, not fiction. But what exactly counts as truth in memoir? Is the distinction…

Black Solidarity

February 2, 2014

From the abolition of slavery to the Black Power movement, African-American unity has been considered…

Black fist raised high, "Solidarity" text. Symbol of Black unity and power.

Miracles

January 19, 2014

Religions rely on miracles to demonstrate the authenticity of figures thought to have supernatural powers. …

Movie poster for Miracle, depicting the 1980 US Olympic hockey team's victory.

Trust and Mistrust

December 29, 2013

If we couldn’t trust each other, our lives would be very different. We trust strangers…

Two hands clasped together in a handshake, symbolizing trust.

Tenth Anniversary Special

December 22, 2013

Philosophy Talk debuted on KALW 91.7 FM in San Francisco in August 2003, with regular broadcasts beginning…

Gold 10th anniversary seal: Satisfaction Guaranteed since 2003

Cooperation and Conflict

December 8, 2013

The Prisoner’s Dilemma is a problem studied in game theory that shows how two people…

Person typing on laptop, crumpled paper nearby; cooperation and conflict.

Wisdom

December 1, 2013

Philosophy is the love of wisdom – or is it? Is this traditional definition outmoded?…

Philosophical questions, wisdom, and knowledge.

Morality and the Self

November 3, 2013

Social psychologists have discovered that our self-images play a surprising role in our thinking about…

Stern-faced nun with the word "SHAME" below.

The Dark Side of Science

October 27, 2013

Science aims tell us something about nearly everything, from the atoms in our cells to…

A 19th-century scientist conducts experiments in a dimly lit laboratory, exploring the dark side of science.

Latin-American Philosophy

September 29, 2013

Latin American Philosophy began centuries before anything of much philosophical consequence happened in North America. …

Collage of Latin American flags representing diverse nations and cultures.

Ancient Cynicism

September 22, 2013

Today, the term ‘cynic’ brings to mind a person who has little or no faith…

Diogenes, the Cynic philosopher, sits in a barrel, examining a lantern. Dogs are nearby.

The Psychology of Evil

August 11, 2013

True evil seems easy to recognize: the killing of innocent children; assigning whole populations to…

Red circle graphic with the words "evil inside" in bold red text.

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