Microphilosophy with Julian Baggini

In 2021 I facilitated a lengthy discussion between two philosophers who take different views on the best way to advance trans rights about why the debate is such a fraught one, Catarina Dutilh Novaes and Mary Leng. I will shortly be releasing the interview as a three-part podcast. Here is an exclusive preview of the almost final edit of part one.

In many ways medieval Islamic philosophy and the works of Friedrich Neitzsche couldn’t be more different. But as we see in this podcast, both provide interesting, rich challenges to modern western egalitarian ideals. Guests are Carlos Fraenkel (McGill University) and Mathias Risse (Harvard Kennedy School of Government). Produced in association with the Berggruen Institute’s Philosophy and Culture Centre.

Harmony is as core a value in classical Chinese thought as Freedom is in the modern west and it is often thought that the two conflict, with major political implications. However, the three broadly Confucian scholars in this episode deny there is a fundamental conflict between freedom and harmony. They are Chenyang Li, Anna Sun and David B. Wong. Produced in association with the Berggruen Institute’s Philosophy and Culture Centre.

Rethinking hierarchy through the lenses of history, economics, feminism, daoism, mathematics and artificial intelligence with Jiang Qian, Robin R. Wang and Taisu Zhang. Produced in association with the Berggruen Philosophy and Culture Centre.

This is the second podcast in a series examining the theme of the relationship and tensions between hierarchy and equality. This episode looks at Confucian perspectives on the issues. Produced in association with the Berggruen Philosophy and Culture Centre.

This is the second podcast in a series examining the theme of the relationship and tensions between harmony and freedom. This episode approaches this issue from the intimate to the global. My guests are Philip Pettit, L.S. Rockefeller University Professor of Politics and Human Values at Princeton University; Sigridur Thorgeirsdottir, professor of philosophy at the University of Iceland; and Leif Wenar, Chair of Philosophy and Law at King's College London. Produced in association with the Berggruen Philosophy and Culture Centre.

Are freedom and harmony political goals that complement or compete with each other? Joining me are Rajeev Bhargava, Director of the Institute of Indian Thought at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies; Anton Koch, professor of philosophy at the University of Heidelberg; and Thaddeus Metz, Distinguished Professor at the University of Johannesburg. Produced in association with the Berggruen Philosophy and Culture Centre.

In a culture that values equality, what is the role and function of hierarchy in America today? With Kwame Anthony Appiah,[...]

The last of three podcasts on conceptions of self, East and West, asks whether the West suffers from "too much self". With Rebecca Goldstein, Peter Herschock, Pico Iyer, Jay Ogilvy and David Wong. Produced in association with the Berggruen Institute's Philosophy and Culture Centre.

The second of three podcasts on conceptions of self, East and West, looks at the idea of the relational self. With Roger Ames, Daniel Bell and Jin Lee. Produced in association with the Berggruen Institute's Philosophy and Culture Centre.