philosophy bites

Alain de Botton on Atheism 2.0

Is religion ridiculous? Many atheists think that it is. Alain de Botton is an atheist, but he believes there is much that atheists can learn from religion.

Listen to Alain de Botton Atheism 2.0

 Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy

 

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

Peter Millican on Hume's Significance

David Hume is one of the great philosophers. For this episode of Philosophy Bites, Hume expert Peter Millican explains his significance. He also provides textual evidence for Hume's atheism.

Listen to Peter Millican on Hume's Significance

Peter Millican's Papers and Talks on David Hume

Peter Millican's survey of writing on Hume  (with numerous links)

Richard Norman on Humanism

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Can non-believers make sense of the world? How can there be morality without God? In this episode of Philosophy Bites philosopher Richard Norman, author of On Humanism, contributor to What is Humanism? and member of the Humanist Philosophers Group, explains how it is possible to lead a good life without religion.

Listen to Richard Norman on Humanism

Stewart Sutherland on Hume on Design

Is there evidence of intelligent design in the Universe? In the Eighteenth Century David Hume presented a series of powerful arguments against the Argument from Design.  Stewart Sutherland, Provost of Gresham College,  outlines these arguments and demonstrates their continuing relevance.

Listen to Stewart Sutherland on Hume on Design

Anthony Grayling on Atheism

Is belief in the existence of a God or gods the equivalent of believing that there are fairies at the bottom of the garden? Or can it be defended on the basis of reason or evidence? In this interview for Philosophy Bites  Anthony Grayling (A.C. Grayling), author of a recent book of essays, Against All Gods, gives a philosophical defence of atheism and explains why he believes it to be a well-grounded and ultimately life-affirming position to hold.

Listen to Anthony Grayling on Atheism

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Stephen Law on The Problem of Evil

Stephen Law, author of The Philosophy Files, The X-Mas Files and The War for Children's Minds, explains the Problem of Evil and gives an original take on this traditional philosophical problem.

Listen to Stephen Law on The Problem of Evil