Philosophy

Philosophy

Examine life’s biggest questions, from ethics to existence, with curiosity and critical thinking.

Black outline of an atomic symbol with three intersecting ellipses on a solid blue background.
38mins
Our host Kmele went inside Fermilab, America’s premiere particle accelerator facility, to find out how the smallest particles in the universe can teach us about its biggest mysteries.
A bright sun rises over the curved horizon of a dark planet in space, with a faint glow outlining the planet’s edge against a starry background.
35mins
Dispatches host Kmele Foster is on a journey to understand humanity’s role in the cosmos. His first stop? The Atacama Plateau in Northern Chile, home to the darkest deserts and largest telescopes on earth.
The black holes logo with a starry background.
12mins
When black holes disappear, what happens to the stuff that fell in? Physicist Brian Cox explains.
A silhouette of a boy jumping into the water.
12mins
Thinkers like Richard Reeves, Louise Perry, and Judith Butler discuss parenthood and the future of the sexual revolution.
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A broken glass with the words contradictory ideas.
6mins
Ideas that seem wildly controversial today may move humanity towards progress. Philosopher Peter Singer asks —how do we keep them from being stifled?
Large shards of broken glass lie on the floor in front of a window with cracked glass; red curtains frame the scene.
11mins
"Resilience" is being able to withstand hardship; "antifragility" goes one step further.
A group of sheep in a barn with a green arrow in front of them.
4mins
Can AI and animals coexist? Philosopher Peter Singer gives us a nuanced take on the issue.
A hand holds and fans out a deck of playing cards with patterned backs against a black background.
6mins
We’re often ashamed to say, “I don’t know” — but this professional poker player thinks it’s one of our greatest strengths.
Two men sit facing each other in a barn with pumpkins behind them; one man holds a pipe, and both appear to be engaged in conversation.
5mins
There are 3 key principles that separate a good conversation from a great one — and they’ll completely change how you communicate.
An ufo flying over a forest.
12mins
There are a few theories as to why we’ve never found other intelligent life in our Universe. Physicist Brian Cox walks us through them.
An older man pondering with his hand on his chin, contemplating effective altruism.
8mins
Effective altruism isn’t just for the rich. Philosopher Peter Singer shares how we can all be better at doing “good.”
A man in a suit is pointing his finger at a yellow background, referencing string theory.
6mins
If Einstein couldn’t solve the theory of everything, could anyone? Physicist Michio Kaku explains what it would take.
Black and yellow halftone illustration of a smiling woman with wavy hair, shown from the shoulders up, in a vintage pop art style.
6mins
From marketing to social media, today’s world preys on your values. Here’s how to reclaim them and find true happiness.
A wooden ladder extends downward from the top edge of the image against a blue sky with scattered white clouds.
6mins
A physicist discusses the boundaries of reality and experimentation.
39mins
Throw away your history books — here’s what life in ancient Rome was really like, according to Cambridge scholar Mary Beard.
A swirling, bright galaxy or nebula in deep space with a luminous center and spiraling blue and purple hues against a dark starry background.
12mins
Quantum wormholes are mathematically possible — but might also be physically impossible. Physicist Janna Levin explains Hawking’s famous information paradox.
Two individuals stand facing each other, holding hands at waist level and touching hands above their heads, forming an arch shape with their arms.
5mins
Do humans share one consciousness? This psychologist says yes.
A stylized, purple-tinted depiction of a black hole in space, showing a glowing accretion disk and a star-filled background.
5mins
Gravity defies quantum mechanics. What does that mean for a theory of everything?
Illustration of an astronaut being propelled through a futuristic, tunnel-like structure against a black background.
9mins
Ever wonder what would happen if we got sucked into a black hole? Turns out we could live in it for a while — if it was big enough.
A faint, grayscale image of a classical statue’s face with soft features and minimal details visible against a plain background.
4mins
How do “you” emerge from a collection of cells? A biologist explains.