Terrorism
September 7, 2004
We like to think that terrorism is always wrong. But what if the cause is…
Hildegard von Bingen
September 20, 2026
Hildegard von Bingen was a 12th century mystic, polymath, and composer whose work spanned visionary theology, philosophy, cosmology, medicine, botany, and music. Her extraordinary intellectual accomplishments belie her humble claim to be “just a woman”. Was her humility justified in the face of the divine,…
Happiness
August 31, 2004
Is happiness a mere psychological state? And if so, what’s so important about it? Is…
Has Science Replaced Religion?
August 10, 2004
Has science replaced religion? Can one be religious and maintain a scientific viewpoint? Does belief…
Nietzsche
August 3, 2004
Nietzsche. Ken and John and Übermensch-at-large Brian Leiter discuss everyone’s favorite syphilitic philosopher. Was he…
Markets and Morality
July 27, 2004
Does the free market provide incentives for behavior that is problematic from a moral perspective?…
Paternalism and Health
July 13, 2004
Paternalism and Health: Some diseases such as Alzheimer’s inhibit our abilities to make decisions and…
Humans: The Irrational Animal
June 29, 2004
Some psychologists claim to have demonstrated that humans are systematically, deeply and perhaps irredeemably irrational…
Genetic Engineering and Cloning
June 22, 2004
When is genetic manipulation morally permissible? For health? Beauty? Wit? What sorts of animals is…
Drug Legalization
May 25, 2004
Does America’s drug problem rest on confused philosophy? Ken and John discuss the philosophical issues…
Animal Rights
May 11, 2004
We shouldn’t be mean to animals. Is that because animals have rights, like people do?…
Taxation
April 13, 2004
How is taxation different from stealing? What right does the government have to take some…
Consciousness
April 6, 2004
Is the conscious mind just the brain or something more? Can science explain consciousness? How…
Humor
March 30, 2004
What is humor? What makes some jokes funny? Why did the chicken cross the road?…
The Insanity Defense
February 17, 2004
Ken and John debate (use?) the insanity defense. What difference does it make if the…
Marriage and the State
February 2, 2004
With what right does the state say who can and cannot marry? The state has,…
What Is Race?
January 27, 2004
Is race a discredited pseudo-scientific category? Or a real dimension of difference among humans? Or…
Now Offering Institutional Subscriptions to the Philosophy Talk Archive!
Subscribe to Philosophy Talk
As a member, you’ll gain access to hundreds of engaging episodes, exclusive content, and the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community of curious minds.
