Recent Episodes

The Philosophical Worlds of Borges

August 23, 2026

Argentinian writer Jorge Luís Borges wrote some of the world’s most brilliant, mind-bending, and philosophical stories. Drawing on sources from Europe, India, China, and Persia, these stories tackled topics like time, reality, selfhood, and art. Yet Borges also said “I don’t think ideas are important.”…

What Is Game Theory?

August 16, 2026

Game theory is a set of mathematical techniques for thinking about how people should choose…

Rubik's cube, notebook, and game controller on a textured surface

Simone Weil

August 9, 2026

French philosopher and mystic Simone Weil was also an activist whose goal was to elevate…

Black and white photo of Simone Weil, wearing a beret.

How Do We Learn?

July 19, 2026

We’re all learning about the world all the time—not just as small children but all…

Stack of books with an apple, ABC blocks, and colored pencils on a desk

Emma Goldman

July 5, 2026

Activist and anarchist philosopher Emma Goldman fought for human liberation in every realm of life.…

Black and white portrait of Emma Goldman, famed anarchist and writer.

Jean-Paul Sartre

June 21, 2026

Jean-Paul Sartre was one of the first global public intellectuals, famous for his popular existentialist…

Jean-Paul Sartre, renowned philosopher, in a thoughtful pose.

What Is Gender?

June 14, 2026

Gender is a controversial topic these days, but people can’t seem to agree about what…

Gradient-colored figures representing diverse genders.

Dostoevsky and Doubting Faith

May 17, 2026

Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky was a practicing Christian, and his writings often feature characters who…

Portrait of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Russian novelist, author of works exploring faith.

Elizabeth Anscombe

May 10, 2026

Elizabeth Anscombe made hugely influential contributions to contemporary action theory, moral theory, and philosophy of…

Black and white portrait of philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe.

Marx and Morality

May 3, 2026

Karl Marx famously attempted to explain our social, political, and economic systems in terms of…

Karl Marx, philosopher and economist, in a formal portrait.

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