Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
Have you ever considered what being conscious actually means? By choosing to live in a particular state are you consenting to be subject to all its laws? For some there’s an assumption that philosophy might not be relevant to modern life but Dr. Nigel Warburton, senior lecturer in Philosophy at The Open University argues that many of us today are faced with philosophical questions such as these as we live our lives in the twenty first century. In this collection we ask academics to discuss these questions in addition to other important philosophical issues and concepts such as the morality of abortions and the reconciling a world with evil and a good God.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Everyday philosophical questions • thought experiments and dilemmas • personal identity and selfhood • consciousness and self-awareness • Descartes, doubt, knowledge • mind–body dualism • faith versus reason • problem of evil • abortion ethics • political obligation, consent, civil disobedienceThis podcast introduces core philosophical questions and shows how they connect to contemporary life. Hosted by Dr. Nigel Warburton in conversation with other academics, it explores how philosophers frame problems, test ideas, and argue for conclusions, often using thought experiments and carefully constructed dilemmas.
A major thread is the nature of the self and mind: what consciousness is, how self-awareness might be understood, and what makes someone the same person over time. Related to this are classic debates in the philosophy of mind, including mind–body dualism and the legacy of Descartes’ method of doubt as a route to knowledge and justified belief.
The podcast also examines philosophy of religion, focusing on how (or whether) religious belief can be grounded in reason and evidence, and the challenge posed by suffering and wrongdoing to belief in an all-powerful, all-good God.
Moral and political philosophy are another emphasis. Discussions consider ethically contested issues such as abortion, including questions about rights and moral status. Political themes include the basis of citizens’ obligations to obey laws, whether residence in a state counts as consent, and when—if ever—individuals may be morally justified in refusing to comply with particular laws.
Overall, the content is framed as an accessible survey aligned with an Open University course, combining foundational concepts with applied questions about belief, identity, morality, and civic responsibility.