PHILOSOPHY FOR THE REAL WORLD

Episode 8. Absorbing a distorted view of history without noticing it.

PHILOSOPHY FOR THE REAL WORLD — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:31:44 +0000

Can simple, ordinary objects in our environment be giving us a distorted view of history? Are there any practical, negative impacts?

Episode 7. A biological basis to ethics: flourishing.

PHILOSOPHY FOR THE REAL WORLD — Sat, 09 May 2026 13:51:26 +0000

One of the simplest, most practical, and objective approaches to ethics is actually based in biology–the concept of flourishing. This episode looks at Martha Nussbaum’s explanation of the concept.

Episode 6. Our problem isn’t voter fraud, it’s voter ignorance and incompetence.

PHILOSOPHY FOR THE REAL WORLD — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:57:49 +0000

This is the first episode to look at a practical question related to social and political philosophy. We look at “social contract theory” and an interesting question it raises about who should be entitled to vote.

Episode 5. Saint Augustine. Vice contains its own punishment.

PHILOSOPHY FOR THE REAL WORLD — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:33:23 +0000

Episode 2 described the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates’ idea that “vice harms the doer.” This episode describes the remarkably similar idea advanced by the fourth century Christian thinker Saint Augustine that vice contains its own punishment.

Episode 4. Logical fallacy. Unwarranted generalization and stereotyping.

PHILOSOPHY FOR THE REAL WORLD — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 21:12:56 +0000

This is the first episode dedicated to examining logical mistakes. This episode looks at the “informal fallacy” of “unwarranted generalization and stereotyping”–one of the most common examples of logical mistakes in political rhetoric.

Episode 3: How well do you know what Americans think? Or, we’re all being played.

PHILOSOPHY FOR THE REAL WORLD — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:32:05 +0000

Think of this as a test. Sorry about the cryptic episode title, but saying too much will be a spoiler.

Episode 2: Why do the right thing?

PHILOSOPHY FOR THE REAL WORLD — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 19:27:43 +0000

“Doing the right thing” is often difficult because it means putting other people’s interests ahead of our own. The ancient Greek thinker Socrates has an interesting–and surprising–perspective because he argues that “vice harms the doer.” The selfish thing, then, is to avoid that harm by doing what’s right.

Episode 1: Philosophy for the Real World. Introduction.

PHILOSOPHY FOR THE REAL WORLD — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:26:48 +0000

This is the first in a series of podcasts by Professor Thomas White about the practical usefulness of philosophy–philosophy for the real world. This episode identifies the main areas of philosophy we’ll be applying: logic, ethics, knowledge, living with others in community. For a general introduction to philosophy, see my Discovering Philosophy (Hackett). Click here …

Continue reading "Episode 1: Philosophy for the Real World. Introduction."