Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
The Portgual Street Philosophy Podcast is the official podcast of the LSE SU Philosophy Society. Each episode, we take a deep dive into a particular philosophy topic, in conversation with leading experts on the subject. By having focused explorations of these topics, we hope to provide accessible introductions and a pathway into the philosophical literature for interested students of all backgrounds.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Expert interviews on core philosophy questions • decision theory, rationality, uncertainty, probability • quantum mechanics interpretations • metaphysics of perception • animal sentience, welfare • philosophy of religion arguments • mathematical philosophy, logic • ethics, policy tradeoffs in pandemicsThis podcast, produced by the LSE Students’ Union Philosophy Society, features interview-style conversations with academic philosophers and closely related experts that aim to introduce listeners to major philosophical questions and the surrounding literature. Across the episodes, a recurring focus is on how rational agents should form beliefs and make choices, especially under risk and uncertainty. Discussions draw on formal tools from decision theory and epistemology—such as expected utility theory, representation theorems, rationality constraints, and debates over subjective versus objective probability—while also examining the limits of idealized models and the implications of bounded rationality, unawareness, and evaluative uncertainty.
Another prominent theme is philosophy at the intersection with science, particularly physics and mathematics. Topics include foundational questions about quantum mechanics—like the measurement problem, the status of the wavefunction, and comparisons among major interpretations—as well as broader reflections on what mathematical and logical frameworks can (and cannot) contribute to understanding scientific theories. The podcast also addresses issues in metaphysics and philosophy of mind, including the nature of sensory experience, and engages with ethically significant questions that connect philosophy to public policy, such as how to weigh competing values in a pandemic and how to understand animal sentience and welfare. It also covers philosophy of religion through analysis of what counts as a successful argument and how theoretical virtues like simplicity and explanatory power figure in debates about God’s existence. Overall, the show emphasizes careful conceptual analysis, structured argument, and accessible pathways into contemporary research.
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9. Sean Carroll | What is the correct interpretation of quantum mechanics? 2021-Jun-27 61 minutes |
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8. Anna Mahtani | What are probabilities? 2021-Jun-27 51 minutes |
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7. Richard Bradley | How should we make decisions under uncertainty? 2021-Jun-27 59 minutes |
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6. Johanna Thoma | What are the requirements of instrumental rationality? 2021-Jun-27 72 minutes |
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5. Graham Oppy | Are there any successful arguments for or against the existence of God? 2021-Jun-27 60 minutes |
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4. David Papineau | The Metaphysics of Sensory Experience 2021-Feb-06 53 minutes |
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3. Jonathan Birch | Animal Sentience 2021-Feb-04 48 minutes |
2. Laurenz Hudetz | Mathematical Philosophy: Blessing or Curse?2021-Feb-03 56 minutes |
1. Alex Voorhoeve | How to Balance Lives and Livelihoods in the Face of a Pandemic2021-Feb-03 29 minutes |