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Five Minute Philosophy

A philosophy podcast with simple five minute episodes, making philosophy accessible for people of all ages, backgrounds and experience!
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Episodes

Proof of the External World (Archie Fletcher)

Archie Fletcher delves into G.E. Moore's famous paper "Proof of an External World," addressing the philosophical challenge of proving the reality of the world. He explains Moore's argument that one can know the external world exists, even if unable to formally prove it to a skeptic, using the example of one's own hands. The discussion highlights the distinction between having knowledge and the ability to provide skeptical proof, leading to a philosophical standoff.

Dec 08, 20255 min

Consciousness (Finn Thwaite)

In this episode, Finn Thwaite introduces our mini-series on consciousness. We hear about the “hard problem of consciousness”, the subjective certainty of our own point of view, our confidence in the completeness of physics, and how this extrinsic, behavioural story relates to intrinsic, subjective experience. Enjoy! If you want to get in touch to suggest a topic, or apply to record an episode yourself, please email us at fiveminutephilosophyemail@gmail.com.

Nov 13, 20255 min

What Is Analytic Philosophy? (Archie Fletcher)

In this episode, Archie Fletcher guides us through a brief history of Analytic Philosophy. We hear about the key figures that shaped this style of Philosophy, which itself can be understood in terms of its method and aims, namely: clarity, rigour and logical argumentation. Enjoy! If you want to get in touch to suggest a topic, or apply to record an episode yourself, please email us at fiveminutephilosophyemail@gmail.com.

Nov 03, 20255 min

Applying Standpoint Theory (guest contribution)

In this episode, guest contributor Yolanda discusses Standpoint Theory - the idea that your experience of reality can vary depending on your standpoint. This is particularly salient when applied to the experiences of marginalised groups, Yolanda argues, and by drawing on this theory we can better understand the members of these groups and their unique standpoints. Enjoy, and thank you Yolanda for your contribution! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please get i...

May 21, 20237 min

Possible Worlds

In this episode, I'll be talking all about the theory of Possible Worlds, with a particular emphasis on David Lewis' Modal Realism. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Apr 04, 20236 min

Generalisations about Social Groups (guest contribution)

In this episode, guest contributor Mark Bowker (Marie Skłodowska–Curie Fellow in Philosophy at Lund University) discusses his current area of research - generalisations about social groups, particularly when these generalisations include certain types of prejudices (racism, sexism, homophobia etc). He also explores ideas quantification, asking the question: how many instances of something must there be for me to be warranted in making a generalisation about it, and does this change depending on ...

Nov 18, 20225 min

Hume on Causation

In this episode, I go through the claims Hume makes about causation in 'An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding', and why he takes causal inference to be an unreliable model for making rational claims about the world. Enjoy! If you'd like to get in contact, message me on Twitter (@fiveminutephil1) or Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy).

Apr 29, 20227 min

The Golden Mean

After a 6 month hiatus, I'm back! In this episode, I talk about Aristotle's 'Golden Mean' - a commentary about virtue, found in his 'Nicomachean Ethics'. Enjoy!

Apr 26, 20226 min

Culture without Food (guest contribution)

In this episode, guest contributor Will Hathaway and I discuss how culture would be different humans didn't have to eat - would culture have to centre around something different, and if so, what? Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Oct 11, 20216 min

Self-Knowledge

In this episode, we'll be talking about the three main approaches to the topic of self-knowledge: acquaintance theory, inner-sense theory and rationalist theory. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Sep 26, 20216 min

The History of Logic

In this episode, we'll be running through a brief history of logic, focusing on the 3 major periods in the discipline: ancient, medieval and modern logic. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Sep 12, 20216 min

Everyday Aesthetics

In this episode, I'll be talking all about the subfield of aesthetics known as 'everyday aesthetics', or 'aesthetics of the familiar', in which the boundaries of aesthetic appreciation are broadened to make room for everyday experiences in the realm of what is considered to be 'aesthetic'. Enjoy! If you'd like to do a guest contribution, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Sep 05, 20214 min

Mariology

In this episode, I'll be talking about Mariology - the theological study of the Virgin Mary. This includes her role as the Mother of God, the immaculate conception and issues surrounding the notion of her 'perpetual virginity'. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Jul 25, 20215 min

Secularism: A Threat to Today's Youth? (guest contribution)

In today's episode, guest contributor Msaa Mugavana explains why secularism might be considered to be a threat to today's youth, as well as the benefits of religion as a guiding force, particularly for the young. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Jul 19, 20215 min

The Paradox of Fiction

In this episode, I'll be talking about the 'Paradox of Fiction', as well as how some scholars have responded to the paradox. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Jul 04, 20215 min

Naturalism

In this episode, I'll be talking all about Naturalism, as well as how it links to other areas of philosophy like epistemology and ethics. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Jun 27, 20217 min

Berkeley and Idealism (guest contribution)

In this episode, Dr Peter West talks all about Berkeley and his philosophical standpoint known as 'idealism'. Enjoy, and thank you to Peter for doing this episode! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Jun 20, 20215 min

The Maleness of 'Reason'

In this episode, I'll be discussing Genevieve Lloyd's feminist work 'The Man of Reason' and its discussion of the gendering of 'Reason' as male throughout the history of Western philosophy, with a particular emphasis on the works of Plato and Descartes. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Jun 13, 20217 min

Spinoza

In this episode, I'll be talking all about Baruch Spinoza and his ideas on God, ethics and perspective. Enjoy!

Jun 06, 20215 min

Could God be a woman?

In this episode, I'll be talking about the gendering of God as male in the Christian tradition, and whether it would be so controversial to switch up the language used to describe this God to make it more female-oriented. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

May 31, 20215 min

Ricoeur's 'Hermeneutics of Suspicion'

In this episode, I'll be talking all about Paul Ricoeur's approach to texts known as his 'hermeneutics of suspicion'. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

May 23, 20214 min

Logical Atomism

Today I'll be talking about logical atomism, its metaphysical and methodological application, as well as how it differs from the idealism of the time. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

May 16, 20216 min

What We Owe to Each Other

In this episode, I'll be going through the key ideas in T.M. Scanlon's book, 'What We Owe to Each Other'. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

May 09, 20216 min

Process Philosophy and Theology

In this episode, I'll be talking about Process Philosophy, and also how it links to Process Theology. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

May 02, 20216 min

Existentialism: Key Terms

In this episode, I'll be running through some of the key terms and ideas commonly found in existentialism, such as the different modes of 'Being' and 'Nausea'. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Apr 25, 20218 min

Albert Camus

In this episode, I'll be talking all about writer and philosopher Albert Camus, including some of his most famous texts like 'The Plague' and 'The Myth of Sisyphus'. Enjoy!

Apr 18, 20216 min

John Hick's Global Theology and Religious Pluralism

In this episode, I'll be talking all about British theologian John Hick's global theology and approach to religious pluralism, including some of the critiques his account has received. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Apr 11, 202110 min

Diotima of Mantinea

In this episode, I talk all about Ancient Greek philosopher and prophetess Diotima of Mantinea, and the ideas she presents in Plato's 'Symposium'. Enjoy!

Apr 04, 20216 min

Aquinas' Cosmological Argument

In this episode, I'll be speaking all about Thomas Aquinas' Cosmological Argument and its three components: the 'Argument from Motion', the 'Argument from Causation' and the 'Argument from Necessity'. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Mar 28, 20216 min

On Liberty

In this episode, I'll be talking about John Stuart Mill's essay 'On Liberty', including the ideas he explores and how they can be applied to his form of rule utilitarianism. Enjoy! If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

Mar 21, 20214 min
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