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 explores some of the mystical characters in the Medieval times, as well as ways in which we can access mysticism in our daily lives.

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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.

Rupert Sheldrake is an English scientist whose research into parapsychology and evolution led to the theory of morphic resonance, expounded in the book 'A New Science of Life'. The theory posits that "memory is inherent in nature" which makes it possible for "telepathy-type interconnections between organisms." Other topics he has written and spoken on include precognition, the relationships between spirituality and science and the psychic staring effect. Sheldrake's most recent book is 'Science and Spiritual Practices'.

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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 Nietzsche, and their relationship with Christmas!

Tim O'Keefe is professor of philosophy and director of graduate studies at Georgia State University. He is also the author of 'Epicurus on Freedom' and 'Epicureanism'. James Mahon is chair of the CUNY-Lehman College Philosophy Department, He has written extensively on the ethics of lying and is the author of 'Kant On Lies'.

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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 hosts this debate on how our contemporary culture is influenced, shaped and potentially misinformed by our most recent self-help culture. Joining her are Frank Furedi, an emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent, John Vervaeke, an award-winning professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, and Isabel Millar, an associate resercher at Newcastle University.

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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.

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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 Roger Penrose; Subrena Smith, philosopher and vocal critic of evolutionary explanations of behaviour; and Paul Bloom, professor of psychology and cognitive science (and staunch defender of rationality).

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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, that we should resist our intuitions and that the future of the Effective Altruism movement isn't as bleak as it may appear.

Peter Singer is a prominent philosopher, author and academic. He a professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, and specialises in practical ethics. His is best known for his work on global poverty and animal ethics. His book Animal Liberation was a key to the early environmental movement. Interviewed by Senior Producer at the IAI Charlie Barnett.

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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 divide between the philosophies of Africa and the Western world, to advice on how we can lead happier, more fulfilling lives, these articles provide an excellent foundation for anyone interested in learning more about the ideas and voices that have shaped Africa.

Katrin Flikschuh is professor of political theory at the London School of Economics. Her research interests relate to the political philosophy of Immanuel Kant, metaphysics and meta-level justification in contemporary political philosophy, global justice and cosmopolitanism, and the history of modern political thought. Omedi Ochieng is an Assistant Professor of Communication at Denison University. His areas of specialization include the rhetoric of philosophy; comparative philosophy; and social theory. He has published articles in the International Philosophical Quarterly, Radical Philosophy, and the Western Journal of Communication.

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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 invasion—face severe inequalities and little restitution. Despite the belief in inalienable rights, almost no one advocates returning land to Native Americans. Is this principle applied hypocritically? Or is our attachment to universal rights genuine and should we be returning a major part of the land in North America to its original inhabitants?

This episode, hosted by Barry C. Smith, features a panel of distinguished experts exploring justice, rights, and ownership. Peter Singer, a leading ethicist renowned for his work in bioethics and animal rights, has received accolades including the Berggruen Prize and the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award. Dale Turner, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, specializes in Indigenous politics and postcolonial thought, with a highly anticipated novel, Vision, on the horizon. Tommy J. Curry, Chair in Africana Philosophy and Black Male Studies at the University of Edinburgh, is the award-winning author of The Man-Not: Race, Class, Genre, and the Dilemmas of Black Manhood. Janne Teller, an acclaimed writer of fiction and essays, has been celebrated for her works promoting peace and understanding. Together, they bring unique perspectives to this timely conversation.

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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 extinction across many authors - philosophers, writers and the scientists who influenced them - to chart a path to his own ideas of how we can cope with the possibility of the End, of extinction. Without defeatism or denial or excitement, but with strength and possibility.

Read more about Ben's 2024 book On Extinction: Beginning Again at the End here: https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/2604-on-extinction.

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