Philosophy Week 3

Is there a purpose outside of our ourselves? If not, how do we find a reason to live?

This three-part conversation between theoretical physicist and cosmologist Prof. Lawrence Krauss and theologian and philosopher Dr William Lane Craig explores the relationship between science, theism, and existence.

How should we think about God? Radical theologian and philosopher Don Cupitt introduces the non-realist view of the divine.

Philosopher and School of Life founder Alain de Botton shares some ideas on how secular people can gain meaning, insight, and valuable traditions from the world's religions.

Sam Harris is one of the world's leading atheist critics of religion. In Waking Up, reviewed here by Maria Popova from Brain Pickings, he argues that some traditional spiritual practices can still offer compelling insights into human consciousness.

Ryan Bell is a former Christian pastor who decided to spend a year living out his doubts. The experience has given him some unique insights into how to live with uncertainty, follow the evidence, and welcome the truth.

Philosopher Aaron Ridley joins Philosophy Bites for a discussion on German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's changing views on the connection between art and truth.

When discussing film, most philosophers focus on the nature of the medium. Mulhall views film in a very different way and, in doing so, argues that film is philosophy.

"Philosopher of wine" Barry Smith joins Philosophy Bites to discuss the subjective experience of tasting wine and its value as an activity.

In an age in which modern art constantly challenges definitions of art, Open University philosopher Derek Matravers explores the question of what exactly art is.

Musician and music historian Leon Botstein explores the philosophical study of aesthetics across music, painting, architecture, movies, and more.

Philosopher Robert Nozick's thought experiment addresses our interaction with the real world and its connection to what makes a life good and worthwhile.

This interactive thought experiment addresses free will and determinism, the two opposing camps in understanding human consciousness and moral responsibility. Take the thought experiment.

In this TED talk, ethicist Peter Singer poses several thought experiments that can help you think about how you help others (and how you can do it more effectively).

This essay addresses the "Last Man" thought experiment in an investigation into the objective value of the environment.

Ronald Bailey discusses several moral arguments against terraforming other planets.

Dr. Joshua Thurow of Augustana College lectures on one of the foundational questions of morality: is it even real? Listen to the lecture.

Do you do that which maximizes happiness, or do you act in a way that always treats others as ends in themselves, never merely as means? This thought experiment will give you several scenarios in which you can test how…

Google’s in-house philosopher Damon Horowitz discusses different theories of ethics and how we can work towards developing what he calls a “moral operating system” which will help us act rightly towards others.

Are there universal moral intuitions? Many philosophers and scientists ask this question. Georgetown University's John Mikhail looks to the theory of universal moral grammar as a clue.

Philosopher Roger Crisp breaks down John Stuart Mill's philosophy of ethical utilitarianism.

Peter Singer explains the importance of thinking ethically, examining several ethical questions touching on how we spend our money and whether we are obligated to help others.

This panel discussion explores the impact of evolutionary theory and neuroscience on traditional views on morality.

Massimo Pigliucci argues that the disciplines of philosophy and science have been alienated for too long. In this talk he introduces a way of thinking philosophically about scientific findings.

According to Professor Hasok Chang, the tendency of modern science is "to assume that it is in possession of the one right way of studying nature that will eventually yield a uniquely correct and unchangeable body of knowledge." Chang challenges…

Institute for Advanced Study director Robbert Dijkgraaf draws from the history of scientific advancement to argue for a robust renewal of scientific experimentation and adventure beyond academia.

Do our scientific models describe objective reality, or are they just useful human constructs? Here John Wilkins presents competing views in modern philosophy of science debates.

Math can't be experienced by the senses or independently verified outside of a human mind. Does that mean it doesn't exist? What does this mean for how we think about other concepts?

The philosophy of science attempts to resolve conflicting conclusions produced by science and empiricism.

A theoretical physicist and now philosophy lecturer refutes Feynman's claim that philosophy of science is useless to scientists.

Since legal rules, not just individual decisions, shape the overall distribution of resources within society, Zwolinski argues that libertarians ought to embrace a theory of social justice.

In this excerpt from Anarchy, State, and Utopia, Nozick claims that John Rawls' theory of distributive justice is actually unjust.

Political philosopher Matt Zwolinki examines high liberalism's concept of social justice and the classical liberal and libertarian responses to it.

Why do economists speak of value as being subjective? Don't philosophers spend their time trying to find objective truth and values? Philosophy professor Aeon Skoble argues that these ways of talking about value aren't contradictory.

In this TEDx talk, political philosopher Michael Huemer discusses the rampant irrationality in politics and society. He highlights the importance of questioning your own beliefs and ensuring that they are reasonable.

In this video, philosopher Tamar Gendler discusses the role of government in society through the lens of Hobbes, Rawls, and Nozick.

In this essay, John Hasnas shares his arguments on the nature of law and how it is molded by interpretation.

Federalist Letter #78 explains the role of the judiciary in establishing and enforcing the rule of law in a constitutional republic.

English political philosopher John Stuart Mill's famous Harm Principle states that "the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others." Why is this…

University of Cambridge law professor Matthew Kramer investigates various views on rights in order to define what exactly a legal right is.

Oxford jurisprudence professor John Gardner discusses the nature of constitutions and how they ought to be interpreted.

In this video, Mansfield argues for the value of political philosophy in shaping our answers to questions about what a just society and just individual action look like.

In this video, Harvard government professor Harvey Mansfield helps to define political philosophy, political science, and their differences.