Recent Episodes

The 2026 Dionysus Awards

July 26, 2026

Now that the dust has settled from the Oscars, it’s time to think about what movies of the past year challenged our assumptions and made us think about things in new ways. Josh and guest co-host Jorah Danenberg present our annual Dionysus Awards for the…

Language in Action

August 22, 2006

How do we communicate ideas with language? Where does the literal meaning of a word…

Chalkboard explaining pragmatics: the study of relationships between linguistic forms and their users.

Zen

June 13, 2006

What is the sound of one hand clapping?  Does Zen Buddhism provide a unique perspective…

Serene Buddha statue, hands in prayer, amidst lush green leaves. Zen.

Is Free Will an Illusion?

May 23, 2006

We like to think of ourselves as enjoying unrestricted freedom of the will.  But modern science…

A flock of birds in flight against a clear blue sky.

Neurocosmetology

May 2, 2006

Progress in neuroscience may soon make possible an age of neurocosmetology: the use of drugs…

Human brain with bright energy, illustrating neurocosmetology.

Aristotle

April 4, 2006

Aristotle’s philosophical doctrines have permeated and helped shape Western Culture in spheres as disparate as cosmology,…

Bust of Aristotle, ancient Greek philosopher

The Value of Truth

April 4, 2006

The pursuit of truth is often thought to be “intrinsically” valuable. Scientists and philosophers, who…

Torn paper revealing the word TRUTH. The value of truth.

What Are Numbers?

March 14, 2006

Plato claimed that numbers exist in some mind-independent abstract heaven. Nominalists claim that there is…

Colorful 3D numbers scattered haphazardly, showcasing variety and randomness

Nature vs. Nurture

February 21, 2006

The philosopher John Locke thought we had no innate ideas; our minds are blank slates,…

Four hands gently hold young plants, showcasing the nurture aspect of growth.

The Mystery of Mind

January 10, 2006

Modern science tells us that the mind is just the brain working. But science cannot yet…

Pink model of a human brain on a pink background. The mystery of mind.

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