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…

Elisabeth of Bohemia

October 5, 2025

Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia is best known for her correspondence with René Descartes. In her letters,…

Portrait of Elisabeth of Bohemia, a princess known for her philosophical correspondence with René Descartes.

Hildegard von Bingen

September 14, 2025

Hildegard von Bingen was a 12th century mystic, polymath, and composer whose work spanned visionary…

Medieval illustration of Hildegard von Bingen writing.

Hypatia of Alexandria

August 17, 2025

Hypatia of Alexandria, late antiquity public figure and scholar, made significant contributions to mathematics, philosophy,…

Portrait of Hypatia of Alexandria, a prominent philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician.

The Value of Music

August 10, 2025

From classical concerts to commercial jingles, music fills our lives every day. But philosophers disagree…

Person relaxing with feet up, listening to a vintage boombox.

Weird Wants

July 27, 2025

Philosophers from Aquinas to Anscombe have claimed that wanting something means seeing the good in…

Close-up of a young man's intense gaze, reflecting a strange desire.

The 2025 Dionysus Awards

July 20, 2025

What movies of the past year challenged your assumptions and made you think about things…

Collage of 2025 film posters for Dionysus Awards consideration.

Making a Better World

July 6, 2025

Some philosophers think that morality boils down to one idea: we should make the world…

Green heart-shaped world map: Build a Better World

Private Lives

June 29, 2025

Cultural attitudes towards privacy seem to be in conflict. On the one hand, we are…

Red door with "PRIVATE" sign and weathered mailbox

Mexican Philosophy

June 22, 2025

From early feminist Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz to existentialist Emilio Uranga, from Indigenous…

Colorful papel picado banners strung between buildings in Mexico.

Philippa Foot

June 15, 2025

Philippa Foot invented the thought experiment that famously became known as the Trolley Problem. Despite…

Philippa Foot

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