TrueSciPhi

Podcast Profile: The Philosophists

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8 episodes
2021 to 2023
Median: 46 minutes
Collection: Philosophy

Description (podcaster-provided):

Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):

This podcast features conversational explorations of philosophy, with hosts Declan and Simon using a mix of shorter and longer discussions and occasional guests to connect classic ideas to contemporary questions. Across the episodes, much of the focus sits within moral philosophy: how we should act, what we owe to others, and how to navigate situations where different ethical theories point in different directions. The show returns to major frameworks such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, and uses well-known thought experiments (including trolley-style dilemmas and questions about action versus inaction) to test intuitions about responsibility, rules, consequences, and character.

A recurring theme is the tension between demanding moral ideals and everyday life. The conversations examine whether doing good can come with guilt or sacrifice, and how to think about obligations to help others without collapsing into simplistic answers. Related to this is a broader interest in “meta-ethics in practice”: what to do when credible philosophical systems disagree and appear to generate conflicting guidance.

Beyond ethics, the podcast also touches on intellectual virtues and the role of philosophy in society. There is discussion of wisdom as a personal and civic virtue, including how it might be defined, cultivated, and valued in modern life. Another strand considers philosophy as an educational tool, looking at how philosophical inquiry can be introduced to children and integrated into schooling, and what it can contribute to critical thinking and classroom engagement.

The show also branches into applied and interdisciplinary topics through guest conversations, including the lived realities of research culture and questions of fairness in academia, such as gender disparities in publication and opportunity in technical fields. It also engages with speculative future-facing ideas, considering transhumanist arguments about biotechnology and the possibility of radically reducing or eliminating suffering. Overall, listeners can expect accessible but concept-driven dialogue that moves between ethical theory, practical dilemmas, social issues, and big-picture questions about human flourishing.