Best The James Hutton Institute Podcasts (2025)

1
The philosophy of fun | Myriam François, Freya India, James Tartaglia 50:35

3h ago50:35

50:35

The essential philosophy of fun Do we need to have fun or is it an unnecessary excess? Are we living in an age of fun's decline, what with the moralism and strictures of Gen Z, or is there something else going on? On this panel, our three guests - philosopher James Tartaglia, film-maker Myriam François, and writer Freya India - dive into the idea o…

1
Neoliberalism: A Soviet nightmare | Abby Innes 31:25

3d ago31:25

31:25

There is an old Soviet joke, ‘Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man. Communism is its exact opposite.’ On the surface, neoliberalism, with its emphasis on free markets, competition and privatisation, is as far removed as possible from the Soviet Union. But behind the policies, could they be guided by the same false utopianism? Abby Innes, pr…

1
The dark side of chasing rewards | Paul Bloom, Nancy Sherman, and Dan Ariely 46:48

6d ago46:48

46:48

Something for nothing Do rewards and incentives damage our humanity? In much of our personal and professional lives, we receive rewards for good behaviour and carrying out our responsibilities. But, evidence now suggests there are risks to this approach. Studies show rewards can damage wellbeing, fostering dependence and undermining our own sense o…

1
Rethinking the Enlightenment | Historian Aviva Chomsky 26:24

13d ago26:24

26:24

The spectre of the Enlightenment What the Enlightenment a net positive or a net negative? Or is that the wrong question, and should we look at it simply as a historical period? Join Professor of History Aviva Chomsky as she dissects one of the most important periods in modern history from the lens of a critical historian. The Enlightenment was not …

1
Was Karl Marx misunderstood? | Terry Eagleton on the forgotten ideals of Marxism 24:23

18d ago24:23

24:23

Why Marx was right Having fallen out of favour around the turn of the century, Marxism is now back in fashion, often playing the role of an alternative to the increasingly right-wing politics of the modern world. Once the guiding ideology of Korean guerillas and Hampstead screenwriters alike, Marxism is back and taking universities and intellectual…

1
The power and the pitfalls of narrative | Matthew Beaumont, Ruth Padel, and Theodore Dalrymple 42:34

21d ago42:34

42:34

Lost in stories Is life a story or a sequence of events? Our narratives enable us to make sense of the complex, often confusing, world that we live in. And yet there is a risk that rather than helping us to truly understand this world, narratives can hide reality from us, providing delusional states of mind in its place. From witch hunts to cults, …

1
Reflections on mental health today | Interview | Susie Orbach 23:02

1M ago23:02

23:02

The dark side of 'mental health' with Susie Orbach Why are psychotherapy, psychology, psychoanalysis, therapy so popular today? Do these respond to a new need in our society or are they evolutions of age-old human approaches to resolution and knowing oneself? Join psychotherapist and psychoanalyst (famously Princess Diana's therapist!) Susie Orbach…

1
The life and philosophy of Peter Singer | In conversation with Myriam François 25:56

1M ago25:56

25:56

Peter Singer is one of the world's leading philosophers, renowned for his challenging and often controversial views. From animal ethics to effective altruism, Singer has shaped the philosophical landscape. In this episode we uncover the key events in his life that led to his ideas, and hear him answer his critics and defend the convictions that hav…

1
The price of everything, value of nothing | Politics series | Daniel Susskind, Abby Innes, Will Hutton, Richard Kibble 51:30

1M ago51:30

51:30

Under capitalism, it can be hard to disentangle an idea of 'value' from that which the market sets as 'valuable' - that is to say, expensive items. Is the price mechanism in any way a useful or accurate way of representing value, or are we unable to measure what we really value through it? Join our panel of four diverse social scientists to make se…

1
The crisis of the new | Stanley Fish, Claire Hynes, and Martin Puchner 59:13

1M ago59:13

59:13

Is genuine originality a realistic goal for artists? From fashion to fantasy, entertainment to enterprise, we seek the 'new' as the means to originality, change, and creativity. And for the most part, we imagine the new is always identifiable as a radical break from the past. But the nature of the new is more elusive and unknown than it first appea…

1
Sartre vs Baldwin | Joanna Kavenna, Jonathan Webber, and Marie-Elsa Bragg 44:30

2M ago44:30

44:30

We take it for granted that through language and communication we can learn about the experience of others. But it remains unknown whether we can fully know what it is like to be another human being. James Baldwin and Jean-Paul Sartre take radically different approaches. For Sartre, the experience of others is unknown to us. Fundamentally, we are a…

1
The philosophy of geopolitics SPECIAL | Donald Trump, Homer's Odyssey, and Korean Web Novels 43:55

2M ago43:55

43:55

What do Friedrich Nietzsche, the Korean War, and Homer's Odyssey have in common? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about the history and philosophy of geopolitics, ranging from Nietzsche's impact on Russia's imperialist strategies to the importance of Ancient Greek tragedies during the decline of the West. Written by Slavoj Žižek, John Mil…

1
The philosophy of dehumanisation | David Livingstone Smith 31:21

2M ago31:21

31:21

The philosophy of dehumanisation with David Livingstone Smith In this exclusive interview, philosopher David Livingstone Smith explores the history, nature, and evolution of dehumanisation. As what is 'acceptable' in society changes, so do the tactics of undercover dehumanisation. How can we identify these, and how might we progress? Smith's soluti…

1
Consciousness is quantum mechanical | Stuart Hameroff 30:10

2M ago30:10

30:10

Consciousness is one of the most fundamental aspects of our existence, but it remains barely understood, even defined. Across the world scholars of many disciplines - philosophy, science, social science, theology - are joined on a quest to understand this phenomenon. Tune into one of the more original and controversial thinkers at the forefront of …

1
Defending panpsychism | Philosophers Philip Goff and Hilary Lawson 25:37

2M ago25:37

25:37

Metaphysics vs consciousness Panpsychism has recently become something of a household term in philosophical and scientific conversations alike. Deceivingly simple, it defends the view that consciousness is the primary 'stuff' of reality, and that all things have mind-like qualities. Join philosopher Philip Goff, one of the world's leading defenders…

1
Consciousness beyond the brain | Rupert Sheldrake 31:25

2M ago31:25

31:25

Re-thinking the limits of the mind Most scientists think that consciousness is created by the brain. After all, most assume consciousness vanishes if the brain is destroyed. But what if this consensus view is radically mistaken? Join distinguished scientist Rupert Sheldrake as he argues that the mind extends beyond the brain and explores the radica…

1
The consciousness test | Yoshua Bengio, Sabine Hossenfelder, Nick Lane, and Hilary Lawson 50:19

3M ago50:19

50:19

The consciousness test Could an artificial intelligence be capable of genuine conscious experience? Coming from a range of different scientific and philosophical perspectives, Yoshua Bengio, Sabine Hossenfelder, Nick Lane, and Hilary Lawson dive deep into the question of whether artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT could one day become self…

1
Longtermism SPECIAL: The next stage of effective altruism 33:04

3M ago33:04

33:04

Should we sacrifice the present for a better future? Join the team at the IAI for three articles about effective altruism, longtermism, and the complex evolution of moral thought. Written by William MacAskill, James W. Lenman, and Ben Chugg, these three articles pick apart the ethical movement started by Peter Singer, analysing its strengths and we…

1
The lure of Lucifer | Terry Eagleton, Susan Neiman, and Stephen de Wijze 37:22

3M ago37:22

37:22

Why do we love evil? We may condemn tyrants and abhor serial killers, but we are obsessed with evil and violence. Our news and our entertainment focus on such material. Are we fascinated by evil, violent characters because they make life more exciting? Or because they express our true nature? Should we look to end this morbid obsession, or accept i…

1
The relationship between morality and power | Philosophers Tommy Curry, Michael Huemer, Melis Erdur 1:04:21

3M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Morality and prejudice Is there such a thing as morality? And, if so, can we know what it is and act on it? Or is morality rather a shield for the powerful and a defence of their interest? The answer may have life-changing consequences... Join a heated debate between three philosophers with three different perspectives on the meaning of morality an…

1
Humans are not morally superior | Alex O'Connor 27:57

3M ago27:57

27:57

Humans are not morally superior Is the meat industry a monstrous tyrant? Join YouTuber Alex O'Connor for a thought-provoking talk on the ethics, or lack thereof, of eating meat. From a horrifying look at the practices of the meat industry to provocative analogies and compelling arguments, Alex doesn't hold back as he holds up a mirror to our modern…

1
Is morality human? | Peter Singer, Slavoj Žižek, Nancy Sherman 53:18

3M ago53:18

53:18

Humanity and the gods of nature Do animals and nature have an ethical life of their own? Must, or should, we extend our morality to non-human entities, or are their limits to notions of ethics? Tune in to hear three world-famous philosophers on ethical issues discuss these questions from their different perspectives: Peter Singer has made a name fo…

1
Nietzsche on overcoming nihilism | Philosopher Babette Babich 18:03

4M ago18:03

18:03

Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap with Babette Babich Do life's struggles make the search for meaning a hopeless endeavour? Join renowned, continental philosopher Babette Babich as she explains the Nietzschean path to finding purpose, arguing that we must embrace all elements of life - good and bad - in our search for a meani…

1
Ancient Philosophy SPECIAL | Plato's Gymnasium, Celebrity Messiahs, and Bronze Age Economics 31:27

4M ago31:27

31:27

What can ancient philosophers teach you about exercise, economics, and the myth of celebrity? Join the team at the IAI for three articles about life, ideas, and status in ancient Greece. Written by Etienne Helmer, Steve Fuller, and Sabrina B. Little, these articles cover a range of thought-provoking concepts, including; why Plato wants you to go fo…

1
Passion in ancient philosophy and religion | Former Archbishop Rowan Williams 36:07

4M ago36:07

36:07

What both religion and stoicism misunderstood Philosophy and religion appear alternatively dry and ascetic. But is that our misunderstanding? What role do the passions play in our intellectual and mystical life? Can it ever be removed? Join former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams (a deeply thoughtful theologian, writer, and poet) as he faces…

1
The inner life of a stoic | Stoicism Series PART 5 | Massimo Pigliucci 24:37

4M ago24:37

24:37

Massimo Pigliucci | In-depth Interview How can philosophy play an active role in daily life? How can ancient philosophical traditions like stoicism help us navigate modern challenges? Why does scepticism remain relevant in a world dominated by technology and information overload? In this interview, Massimo Pigliucci explores these questions, advoca…

1
The forgotten values of a stoic life | Stoicism Series PART 4 | Nancy Sherman 23:36

4M ago23:36

23:36

Stoicism reimagined With the modern revival of stoic philosophy, plenty of ancient wisdom has returned to the modern world - but what ideas have we consigned to history? These days, we think of stoicism as a philosophy that preaches a fearless self-reliance and detachment from the challenges of the world. However, distinguished philosopher Nancy Sh…

1
Stoicism for contemporary society | Stoicism Series PART 3 | Nancy Sherman 26:03

4M ago26:03

26:03

Why is stoicism one of the most well-known and read philosophical strains in the contemporary age? After 2000+ years, what is its continued appeal? Join philosopher Nancy Sherman, an expert in ancient philosophy, as she delves into her attraction to the topic and the ways she believes it applies to the contemporary age. A good introductory episode …

1
Ancient solutions for modern problems | Stoicism Series PART 2 | Massimo Pigliucci 20:44

4M ago20:44

20:44

How to be a Stoic What can Zeno of Citium teach you about going to the movie theatre? Join philosopher and author Massimo Pigliucci for part two of a series on the ancient practice of Stoicism, exploring and analysing ideas from Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Zeno of Citium. Massimo Pigliucci is an American philosopher and biologist who cu…

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Ancient solutions for modern problems | Stoicism Series PART 1 | Massimo Pigliucci 19:10

5M ago19:10

19:10

How to be a Stoic What can Marcus Aurelius teach you about the iPhone? Join philosopher and author Massimo Pigliucci for part one of a series on the ancient practice of Stoicism, exploring and analysing ideas from Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Zeno of Citium. Massimo Pigliucci is an American philosopher and biologist who currently works a…

1
Ecstasy and philosophy: PHILOSOPHY AND MYSTICISM |Philosopher Simon Critchley 51:54

5M ago51:54

51:54

Has contemporary philosophy colonised all philosophy with its preference for rationality over feeling, intensity, experience, and love? What can an open conversation about mysticism help us uncover about our philosophical tradition and ourselves? Join maverick Professor of Philosophy Simon Critchley as he talks about his new book On Mysticism and e…

1
The lost art of pilgrimage: PHILOSOPHY AND MYSTICISM | Rupert Sheldrake 24:10

5M ago24:10

24:10

Ways to go beyond: Why spiritual journeys draw non-religious people Did pilgrimage go out of fashion or did it simply take on a new form? Join biologist and psychic phenomena researcher Rupert Sheldrake as he analyses the history of pilgrimage, going all the way from its ancient roots in religious ceremony to its modern incarnation of tourism. Rupe…

1
Nietzsche, Epicurus, and the Santa Claus lie | The philosophy of Christmas 28:38

5M ago28:38

28:38

Are you ready to discover the true meaning of Christmas? Join the team at the IAI for three Christmas-themed articles, written by James Mahon, Tim O'Keefe, and the IAI editorial team. In this present, you'll find a scathing analysis of the Santa Claus lie, an Epicurean reflection on holiday traditions, and musings about Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsc…

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The danger of self reflection | John Vervaeke, Isabel Millar, Frank Furedi and Joanna Kavenna 50:41

5M ago50:41

50:41

In search of oneself Should we see self-knowledge as an aim not only misguided, but actively dangerous? Is self-knowledge in fact impossible for as Nietzsche argued we have to use the self to uncover the self? Or is self-reflection a vital and rewarding activity that uncovers meaning and improves our ability to act well in the world? Joanna Kavenna…

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How important is rationality to humans? PART 2 | Stuart Hameroff, Subrena Smith, Paul Bloom 25:04

5M ago25:04

25:04

Thinking set free Look for part 1 of this episode from earlier this week! Join our panel of speakers (consciousness researcher Stuart Hameroff, evolutionary critic Subrena Smith, and psychologist Paul Bloom) as they explore the limits of rationality, while still defending its importance to how we think and live in the world. Do visit our website fo…

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How important is rationality to humans? PART 1 | Stuart Hameroff, Subrena Smith, Paul Bloom 25:29

5M ago25:29

25:29

Thinking set free Is the emphasis our modern society places on rationality well-placed? Does rationality help us think or should we be in tune with other ways of thinking/perceiving the world? Join our diverse panel of speakers as they discuss these questions: Stuart Hameroff, anesthesiologist known for the theory of consciousness he developed with…

1
Challenging Peter Singer's Ethics 24:57

6M ago24:57

24:57

Can morality be objective? Whether or not moral ideas can be objectively true has divided philosophers for centuries. But can we ever find moral truths? How would we find them? And what can these truths tell us about the world? In this challenging interview, Peter Singer defends his turn to objectivity and argues morality doesn't need religion, tha…

1
African Philosophy SPECIAL | Contemporary philosophers 50:44

6M ago50:44

50:44

What can African philosophers teach us about history, the modern world, and the good life? And can their ideas and teachings cross cultural boundaries? Join the IAI team for a reading of three articles about African philosophy, written by professor of communication Omedi Ochieng and professor of political theory Katrin Flikschuh. From the apparent …

1
The philosophy behind Thanksgiving | Property, Power, and Indigenous Land Rights 50:19

6M ago50:19

50:19

Land, ownership and hypocrisy with Peter Singer, Dale Turner, Tommy J. Curry and Janne Teller Since Magna Carta, the right to property is seen as universal, yet this principle often favours the strong. While nations like Ukraine are supported in reclaiming invaded land, Indigenous peoples in North America—who lost 99% of their land after European i…

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The philosophy of extinction (or of the end of the world)| Philosopher Ben Ware 30:46

6M ago30:46

30:46

Philosophy at the end of the world Is humanity looking at its demise in the face? Has it always been? And how can philosophy help us? Join philosopher Ben Ware, Co-Director of the Centre for Philosophy and Art at King’s College London, as he interrogates how to philosophically, and humanly, confront the end of the world. Ware traces the idea of ext…

1
God, science, and the natural world PART 2 | Philosopher Fiona Ellis 34:44

6M ago34:44

34:44

The metaphysics of naturalism - PART TWO Have we completely abandoned the idea of the supernatural? Could there still be important truths that lie outside of the natural world? Join philosopher Fiona Ellis as she explains her version of naturalism, arguing that there is still some middle ground to be found between the world of the natural and the r…

1
God, science, and the natural world PART 1 | Philosopher Fiona Ellis 33:49

6M ago33:49

33:49

The metaphysics of naturalism - PART ONE Have we completely abandoned the idea of the supernatural? Could there still be important truths that lie outside of the natural world? Join philosopher Fiona Ellis as she explains her version of naturalism, arguing that there is still some middle ground to be found between the world of the natural and the r…

1
Consciousness predates life | Stuart Hameroff 32:25

7M ago32:25

32:25

Consciousness predates life Did consciousness exist before life? Could such a counter-intuitive idea, in fact, be the answer to the hard problem of consciousness? Join anaesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff as he puts forward his theory that consciousness came before the origin of life on Earth, using quantum mechanics and his research with Sir Roger Pe…

1
Halloween SPECIAL | The philosophy of monsters, magic, and mausoleums 33:34

7M ago33:34

33:34

Why do audiences across the world love to be scared at the cinema? Why do we have such strong attachments to those who have left this Earth? What can horror tell us about ourselves? Join the team at the IAI for a reading of three Halloween-themed articles, written by historian Thomas Laqueur, and philosophers Noël Carroll and David Livingstone Smit…

1
The devil in all of us | Paul Bloom 29:52

7M ago29:52

29:52

Our human shadow Many have had the experience of an urge to do something wrong just for the hell of it. From walking on grass we're told to keep off to fantasies of violence towards someone we find a minor annoyance. Join Yale psychologist Paul Bloom as he invites us to see the clever, creative and beautiful side of our impulses toward evil. Paul B…

1
In search of the 'Self' | David Chalmers, Ed Stafford, Joanna Kavenna 28:15

7M ago28:15

28:15

In search of ourselves Is the 'self' a useful category, philosophically, psychologically, in our everyday lives? What might it help us do? And where do we find ourselves? Join our mixed panel of speakers as they approach this question from their different points of view - Australian philosopher and cognitive scientist David Chalmers, English explor…

1
Consciousness and the limits of science PART 2 | Sean Carroll, Ellen Langer, and Tamar Gendler 27:34

7M ago27:34

27:34

Mind, matter, and everything - PART TWO Can science ever solve the problem of consciousness? Do our methods look for answers in all the wrong places? Join Sean Carroll, Ellen Langer, and Tamar Gendler as they debate the possibility of science providing answers to the hardest problem of all - the problem of subjective experience. Jack Symes hosts. S…

1
The end is a new beginning | Philosopher Ben Ware 26:57

7M ago26:57

26:57

Are we sliding towards our own extinction? How can we find hope amidst the despair of the modern world? Join philosopher Ben Ware as he analyzes the various apocalyptic narratives that have existed throughout history, dissecting everything from antinatalism to the romantic poets. Ben is Co-Director of the Centre for Philosophy and Art at King’s Col…

1
Consciousness and the limits of science PART 1 | Sean Carroll, Ellen Langer, and Tamar Gendler 30:00

8M ago30:00

30:00

Mind, matter, and everything - PART ONE Can science ever solve the problem of consciousness? Do our methods look for answers in all the wrong places? Join Sean Carroll, Ellen Langer, and Tamar Gendler as they debate the possibility of science providing answers to the hardest problem of all - the problem of subjective experience. Jack Symes hosts. S…

1
Slavoj Žižek on chaos and the modern world - PART 4 16:22

8M ago16:22

16:22

Heaven in disorder What is the relationship between atheism and faith? How do we relate to 'the big other', and how does this influence how we think about God, nature and ourselves. Join Slavoj Žižek for his glorious finish to a fantastic talk. Slavoj is a Slovenian Marxist-Lacanian philosopher and author, known for his incisive, radical, and humou…

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