philosophy bites

Paul Russell on David Hume's Philosophy of Irreligion

To celebrate David Hume's 300th Birthday we are releasing this bonus episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast. On the standard reading of Hume's Treatise, this important book reveals its author both as a sceptic and as someone wanting to contribute positive ideas about human nature. These two aspects of the book seem to be in tension. Paul Russell suggests a way of solving the riddle of the Treatise. He emphasizes David Hume's irreligion and how it pervades every aspect of Hume's first book.

Listen to Paul Russell on David Hume's Philosophy of Irreligion 

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy

Previous Philosophy Bites interviews on David Hume:

Listen to Peter Millican on Hume's Significance

Listen to Stewart Sutherland on Hume on Design

A range of Open University podcasts on David Hume (with transcripts) is available here

Pascal Bruckner on Happiness

Could it be that pursuing happiness is self-defeating? Has the pursuit of happiness always been a major goal in life? Should it be? Pascal Bruckner explores these questions in conversation with Nigel Warburton for this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.

Listen to Pascal Bruckner on the Pursuit of Happiness

Pascal Bruckner was a student of Roland Barthes' - in this bonus content he talks about this experience:

Listen to Pascal Bruckner on Roland Barthes

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy

Noël Carroll on Humour

What is humour and why is it so important to us? There is a long history of philosophers attempting to answer these questions. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast Noël Carroll gives his explanation of what humour is, and illustrates it with some jokes too.

Listen to Noël Carroll on Humour

Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy