Philosophy? WTF?? - podcast cover

Philosophy? WTF??

Danny O'Donnell & Dr. Michael Alsford•www.podomatic.com
Society & Culture
Philosophy

What is Philosophy? Why should we bother with it? Sit down with Danny and Dr. Mike in the comfort of their local pub, as they grapple with the big ideas in a unique and accessible way! Dive into our archive of earlier episodes here: https://castbox.fm/channel/id3766780?country=gb Send us an email: philosophywtf@gmail.com Check out our article about the podcast here! Get into Mike and Danny's heads for free! https://blog.apaonline.org/2018/10/03/the-philosophy-wtf-podcast-philosophy-outside-academia/
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/5eyc2bpv
Twitter/X: @PhilosophyWtf
Buy us a coffee: https://tinyurl.com/32sv2yz2

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Episodes

Episode 219: Memory and Persistence Part One

That's right Danny and Dr. Mike are back! Pull up your bar stool and join us as they dive into the tangled web of persistence and memory . This week they unravel how our memories shape who we are, how we persist through time, and whether our sense of self is more than just a collection of recollections.

Jul 09, 2025•22 min•Ep. 219

Episode 214: Age and Aging Part One

In youthful spirits, the fresh faced Danny and Dr. Mike take a look at what it's like to get old and mine all the philosophical chat they can from it.

May 15, 2024•23 min•Ep. 214

Episode 213: Freewill and Determinism Final Episode

In this final episode of the series, Danny and Mike explore the idea that human being can be reduced to their DNA. Does your genetic make up determine how your life unfolds and the choices you make. Plus, should we develop a method to control our impulses and even develop a 'code' in which to follow. Thus, everything has been covered completely in this series! Nothing has been left out! Oh, and listen out for a quick section of what might have been overlooked.

May 01, 2024•24 min•Ep. 213

Episode 212: Free Will and Determinism Part 4

Yes, we're back for another round of Free will and determinism! Remember you chose to tune in and hear the latest from Danny and Mike as they get deeper into the limits of of freedom and free speech. Or did you? Join us and remember you can say what you like about the podcast - as long as its good!

Apr 17, 2024•22 min•Ep. 212

Episode 211: Freewill and Determinism Part 3

Are you really free to eat anything you like for breakfast? Even turkey? Maybe, How about wear any clothes you want? Even slippers outside? Could be. But what about having children and keeping them? Is there really an option not to procreate and not to keep a child you produce? Is evolutionary biology controlling us to maintain the human species above your immediate desires? Tune in to find out!

Apr 03, 2024•26 min•Ep. 211

Episode 210: Freewill and Determinism Part 2

See, we knew you would be back! This time Danny and Dr. Mike consider whether or not they are truly 'good' people or perhaps 'bad' without knowing it? If morality changes as time moves on, can you be 'good' one moment and 'bad' the next because the world has changed its mind on what is moral? You should tune in this time as our moral, upright podcasters honestly give their take on ethical thought because next time they could considered nasty pieces of work!

Mar 20, 2024•24 min•Ep. 210

Episode 209: Freewill and Determinism Part 1

You were always going to end up here, why fight it? Come and join Danny and Dr, Mike from your own free will, as they discuss, from their own free will, er... free will. Are we truly completely free or are we determined in our actions through social, psychological or political forces? Tune in and find out!

Mar 06, 2024•18 min•Ep. 209

Episode 208: Existentialism Final Part

Where do you live? In the real world or online? Danny and Dr. Mike finish off their existentialism chat with a discussion about the way we have recorded our lives and how we present ourselves online. Also, a rigorous talk on what Dr. Jakyll gets up to when his fiancé is 'taking the waters in Bath'.

Feb 14, 2024•20 min•Ep. 208

Episode 207: Existentialism Part 8

This week, Dr. Mike whisks Danny of into the mists of time and recalls his days as Earth's first line of defense against Alien invasion! You heard correctly, Mike once was part of a crack team of first responders who were engaged in monitoring the night skies for suspicious flying objects and scouring the countryside for extraterrestrial vehicles etc. That's right! They did all these amazing things and still made sure they were home in time for tea!

Jan 31, 2024•19 min•Ep. 207

Episode 206: Existentialism Part 7

It's a new year and everyone is feeling optimistic and about the year ahead! Everyone except for Dr. Mike and Danny who return with more of their chat on the dark side of existentialism. Come join them as they talk Sisyphean ordeals, Star Trek and being 'Beach Ready'.

Jan 17, 2024•18 min•Ep. 206

Episode 204: Existentialism Part 6

Welcome back for another round of Existentialism talk with Danny and Dr. Mike. Listen as they continue to look for answers in the structures and traditions of life. Listen out and see if you can find order and rules in their chat about Kafka's Trial!

Dec 13, 2023•25 min•Ep. 204

Episode 203: Existentialism Part 5

Yes dear listener, we have returned to continue our exploration of Existentialism. This time we focus on the depths of despair as we look at the absurdness of existence! Danny and Dr. Mike will take you through the darkness and look for any signs of meaning along the way. Strap in and think positive thoughts!

Nov 29, 2023•23 min•Ep. 203

Episode 202: Existentialism Part Four

To not make a choice is still a choice have some good faith and tune into the final part of Danny and Dr Mike's Existentialism discussion! They chat about the return of philosophy to schools and the importance of critical thinking in our world where the answer to all questions is most certainly 42!

Nov 08, 2023•18 min•Ep. 202

Episode 201: Existentialism Part Three

Once again you have made the correct choice! This week in their continuing chat on Existentialism, Danny and Dr. Mike turn to Kierkegaard and the different stages of life. Are you still in the throes of hedonism, or have you reached the stage in which you want to give something back? Find some meaning in your life by listening to the duo examine these stages and then they turn once again to the movies and Kurosawa and has given so much philosophical advice in the past! Facebook: https://tinyurl....

Oct 25, 2023•22 min•Ep. 201

Episode 200: Existentialism Part Two

This week Danny and Dr. Mike find themselves on the stage of life continuing their discussion on Existentialism by asking are we more than just decision makers? Do we bring more to the table then just our ability to make a decision? Listen while stroking your chin in wonder as the pair present the despair of choice in our current world on inauthentic news and misinformation. Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/5eyc2bpv Twitter/X: @PhilosophyWtf Buy us a coffee: https://tinyurl.com/32sv2yz2...

Oct 11, 2023•24 min•Ep. 200

Episode 199: Existentialism Part One

Congratulations! You have chosen wisely to listen to this podcast! This week Danny and Dr. Mike tackle Existentialism. Stroke your beards, adjust your berets and light up your Gauloises as you listen to the truth seeking pair as they steer their way through the nihilism of our current world. Hold on tightly and in good faith as they bravely throw themselves into the void of our foundationless world and order coffee and pain-au-chocolat! Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/5eyc2bpv Twitter/X: @Philosop...

Sep 27, 2023•33 min•Ep. 199

Episode 198: Holiday Time 'Leisure' special!

Yes its holiday time in Philosophy? WTF?? world! Open up your deck chair, unscrew a bottle of ambre solaire lay back and listen as Mike muses on the purpose of leisure time! Dive into our archive of earlier episodes here: https://castbox.fm/channel/id3766780?country=gb Send us an email: philosophywtf@gmail.com Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/danmifunev...

Jul 05, 2023•12 min•Ep. 198

Episode 197: AI - Episode Three

Danny and Dr. Mike conclude their discussion on AI with a wider chat on who gets the keys to the social media platforms we all use and the fallibility of the humans that are in charge of them. Also, with ChatGPT and similar are we removing humans from the creative process and does this spell the end of art? Tune in to hear all this and more with your 'all too human' hosts!

Jun 14, 2023•40 min•Ep. 197

Episode 196: AI - Episode Two

This week gasp in suspense and delight as Danny and Dr Mike, without any computer assisted aides whatsoever, tightrope walk across the twin philosophical concepts of the Turning Test and the Chinese room! You will hold your breath as the Turning test brings us closer to the idea that the machines could take over and then laugh in relief as Searle arrives to save humanity (for now) with the Chinese Room thought experiment! Yes, the future and your job is safe for a while as Philosophy?WTF?? prove...

May 31, 2023•37 min•Ep. 196

Episode 195: AI - Episode One

Join us this week as Dr Mike and Danny get super topical and chat ChatGPT! That's right, PhilosophyWTF has caught up with the 21st Century and is getting to grips with cutting edge thought! Listen with growing concern as our fearless thinkers discuss the rise of computer generated Artificial Intelligence and then sigh with relief as they cheerfully explain that actual artificial intelligence is impossible - well at least for the moment! Join Our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/45...

May 17, 2023•30 min•Ep. 195

Episode 194: A Chat with Hunter: Final Part

Welcome listeners to the final part of the talk with Hunter! As Danny's and Mike's chat with Hunter winds down, inevitably the chat turns to politics and Science Fiction! Also we have a chance to listen in and hear more about Hunter's life, how he encountered the podcast and how he realised that philosophy should be accessible for everyone (especially if Danny and Mike can do it!)

May 03, 2023•40 min•Ep. 194

Episode 193: A Chat With Hunter Part 3

This week Danny, Hunter and Mike have had enough of the breakneck speed of technology and discuss whether we should destroy ChatGPT and 'go back to the 50s'. Then, listen in horror as Danny raises the idea that maybe there were upsides to George Bailey not existing and whether we should be able to 'reset' our lives. All this plus the inevitable Star Trek talk!

Apr 18, 2023•26 min•Ep. 193

Episode 192: A Chat With Hunter Part 2

Welcome back to part two of our chat with Hunter. This week we talk nation and identity and ask ourselves: 'are we where we come from?', 'How much of ourselves do we take with us when we travel?' 'Where does our culture come from?', 'Is a man an island even if he lives on one?' So relax, sit back and take back sovereignty with Hunter, Mike and Danny!

Apr 05, 2023•22 min•Ep. 192

Episode 191: A Chat With Hunter

In this week's episode Danny and Mike have a cosy chat with American friend-of-the-pod Hunter Campbell Royall! With a focus on our relationship to the land, Identity and culture we ask who we really are and where did we come from?

Mar 22, 2023•20 min•Ep. 191
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