Philosophy For Our Times

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Could Sex Robots Be Good For Us? | Kate Devlin Dec 12, 2017

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With technological advancements in the world of computer science and robotics, sci-fi sex robots such as Ava from Ex Machina, and Joi from Blade Runner 2049, are coming closer and closer to becoming real. Would sex robots be a disaster for healthy sexual relationships? Or might they actually help us?

In this episode, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computing at Goldsmiths Kate Devlin explores the possibilities of sex robots.

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The Fantasy Of Money | Nigel Dodd, Sarah Bird, Izabella Kaminska Dec 05, 2017

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There was a time when gold money had real value. Yet now it floats free, a fantasy made real by our belief. Are there alternative fantasies that we could create to generate different and perhaps better realities? Or is there something special about the fantasy of money that makes it irreplaceable?

Guardian columnist Stephen Hewlitt asks CEO of Timebanking UK Sarah Bird, reporter for the Financial Times Izabella Kaminska and The Social Life of Money author Nigel Dodd to explore the alternatives to money.

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Understanding String Theory | James Ladyman Nov 28, 2017

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Over 40 years have passed since string theory was first developed: what questions have been answered? Philosopher James Ladyman examines one of our strangest endeavours.

"Challenging and provocative" TLS

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Can lying ever be justified? | Helen Lederer, James Mahon, Mark Salter Nov 21, 2017

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Weapons of mass destruction, the NSA, and Watergate: many have felt cheated by the lies of the powerful. Yet we all twist the truth to keep people happy and deceive in order to protect. Is lying oddly essential? Should we accept lying as part of personal and public life? Or is there always more beauty in truth?

New York philosopher and author of Lying for the Sake of Truth James Mahon, Absolutely Fabulous star Helen Lederer, and psychiatrist Mark Salter dissect the ethics of deceit.

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Power, Status And Sexuality | Catherine Hakim, Doon Mackichan, Peter Tatchell Nov 16, 2017

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The goal of feminism seemed simple: equal rights for both sexes. Yet tabloid controversy is raging now Beyonce, GaGa and Sandberg have claimed the label. Can female sexuality be a vehicle for female power? And is feminism recast as female power a desirable goal or a threat to the original ideals?

Sociologist and author of Erotic Capital Catherine Hakim, Smack The Pony star Doon Mackichan, and activist Peter Tatchell confront sexuality.

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Real Men | Julie Bindel, Diane Abbott, Rowan Pelling, Serena Kutchinsky Nov 07, 2017

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Being a real man used to be about courage, grit, and determination. But in an age of increased empathy and softness the story is getting blurred. Is the 'real man' a fantasy we should be pleased to see relegated to history along with Marlboro ads, or are these qualities that women still want and society needs?

Jamie Whyte chairs this debate between Labour MP Dianne Abott and radical feminist Julie Bindel, who both argue that male stereotypes should be relegated to history, as well as Erotic Review founder Rowan Pelling and BBC journalist Serena Kutchinsky, who argue that there is still a place for the Real Man in the modern world.

Music: Apache Force by Little Glass Men available under an Attribution Creative Commons License.

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Why Are Humans Monogamous? | Kit Opie Oct 31, 2017

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Only 3 percent of mammals are monogamous. The faithful few include beavers, wolves, bats, and, of course, humans. Why is monogamy so rare? And how did we come to practise it?

UCL anthropologist Kit Opie takes you on journey back to the beginning of human relationships.

Music: Apache Force by Little Glass Men available under an Attribution Creative Commons License

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Diversity and Power | Sophie Walker Oct 24, 2017

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Disillusioned with the mainstream, Sophie Walker joined and now leads the Women's Equality Party. Here she asks: is radical thinking enough to change society?

Music: Apache Force by Little Glass Men available under an Attribution Creative Commons License

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The Good, The Bad And The Unknown | Gita Sahgal, David Owens, Sebastian Farquhar Oct 17, 2017

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We all want a better world and most see morality as helping to choose the right actions. Yet we can't know for sure the outcome of any action. Is morality therefore curiously independent of outcomes? Does this leave it without foundation or function? Or do good and bad have no place in this world at all? Centre for Secular Space founder Gita Sahgal, philosopher and author of Causes and Coincidences David Owens, and director of the Centre for Effective Altruism Sebastian Farquhar discuss the outcomes of our actions. Music: Apache Force by Little Glass Men available under an Attribution Creative Commons License.

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Romancing Opiates | Theodore Dalrymple Oct 10, 2017

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What is the strange allure of opiate addiction? Author and former prison psychiatrist Theodore Dalrymple argues his personal take on the problems poppies pose.

"A modern master" - Guardian

Music: Apache Force by Little Glass Men available under an Attribution Creative Commons License

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