philosophy bites

Kendall Walton on Photography

Philosopher Kendall Walton argues that photographs are distinctively different from other kinds of pictures: he thinks that we can literally see through them to the objects and people they are of. He explains this counterintuitive idea in the course of this interview with Nigel Warburton.

Listen to Kendall Walton on Photography

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Aaron Ridley on Nietzsche on Art and Truth

In this interview Aaron Ridley explores Nietzsche's changing views about the relationship between art and truth including his views about the dionysian and appollonian aspects of existence.

Listen to Aaron Ridley on Nietzsche on Art and Truth

Alex Neill on the Paradox of Tragedy

In this Philosophy Bites interview Alex Neill addresses the question of whether there really is a paradox of tragedy. How is it that we can enjoy tragedies when they show pain and suffering? He also considers the related question of how we can take pleasure in horror movies.

Listen to Alex Neill on The Paradox of Tragedy

Derek Matravers on the Definition of Art

What is art? This has become as difficult question to answer since Marcel Duchamp put a factory-produced urinal in an open exhibition, signed it 'R. Mutt' and called it 'Fountain'. Derek Matravers, author of Art and Emotion, explores this question in conversation with Nigel Warburton.

Listen to Derek Matravers on the Definition of Art

Stephen Mulhall on Film as Philosophy

Can film be philosophy? Stephen Mulhall believes it can. Most philosophers who consider film focus on essential qualities of the cinematic medium, its reliance on photographic representation and montage, and so on. Mulhall has a very different approach. In this episode of Philosophy Bites he explains how the movie Bladerunner addresses philosophical themes.

Listen to Stephen Mulhall on Film as Philosophy

Alain de Botton on The Aesthetics of Architecture

How important is beauty in architecture? Is a concern with beauty mere aestheticism? Alain de Botton, author of The Architecture of Happiness discusses these and related questions in this podcast interview with Nigel Warburton.

Listen to Alain de Botton on The Aesthetics of Architecture

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