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The Philosopher's Arms

Matthew Sweet examines philosophical problems with a live audience in a pub

Radio 4,23 episodes

Episodes

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Series 6
Swearing
Matthew Sweet examines knotty philosophical conundrums in an abstract pub.
27 Feb 2017,28 mins,
Series 6
Cake or Biscuit?
Is a Jaffa Cake a cake or a biscuit? One for the pub with both beer and philosophy.
20 Feb 2017,28 mins
Series 6
Hypocrisy
What's wrong with hypocrisy? A question for everyone's favourite abstract pub.
13 Feb 2017,28 mins
Series 5
Future People
The Philosopher's Arms asks what sort of people should we bring into the world.
28 Dec 2015,28 mins
Series 5
Hate Speech
The Philosopher's Arms asks whether speech can harm.
21 Dec 2015,28 mins
Series 5
Weakness of Will
The Philosopher's Arms asks how we can want and not want a cream cake.
14 Dec 2015,28 mins
Series 5
Lying and Misleading
Matthew Sweet asks if there is a moral difference between lying and misleading.
07 Dec 2015,28 mins
Series 4
Enhancement
Matthew Sweet asks, should we take a pill to make us less racist?
08 Sep 2014,28 mins
Series 4
Trolleyology
How should you decide between two morally troubling courses of action?
15 Sep 2014,28 mins
Series 4
Induction
Matthew Sweet asks what justifies our belief the sun will rise tomorrow.
22 Sep 2014,28 mins
Series 4
Sex Equality
Matthew Sweet and philosopher Janet Radcliffe Richards explore sex equality and pay.
29 Sep 2014,28 mins
Series 3
Free Riders
Pints and philosophical puzzles with Matthew Sweet, discussing free riding and tiny harms.
30 Jul 2013,28 mins
Series 3
Exploitation
Pints and philosophical problems with Matthew Sweet - what is exploitation?
06 Aug 2013,28 mins
Series 3
Free Will
Pints and philosophical puzzles with Matthew Sweet. Do we have free will?
13 Aug 2013,28 mins
Series 3
Moral Blame
Matthew Sweet and philosopher Miranda Fricker look at historic wrongs.
20 Aug 2013,28 mins
Series 2
Theseus' Ship
Matthew Sweet encounters a problem that affects Man City, criminal trials and the Drifters
07 Aug 2012,28 mins
Series 2
What Makes a Fake a Fake?
Matthew Sweet discovers his favourite painting is a forgery. But does it really matter?
14 Aug 2012,28 mins
Series 2
Sorites' Heap
Matthew Sweet asks: When exactly does a balding man become bald?
21 Aug 2012,30 mins
Series 2
Morality and the Law
Matthew Sweet wonders if we have any moral reason to obey the law.
28 Aug 2012,30 mins
Series 1
The Experience Machine
Should Matthew Sweet plug into a machine that grants a happy but illusory life?
06 Sep 2011,30 mins
Series 1
A Robot Daughter
Matthew Sweet discovers his daughter is a robot. Should this change how he treats her?
13 Sep 2011,28 mins
Series 1
The Ultimatum Game
Matthew ponders the human capacity for greed and altruism. With Ken Binmore.
20 Sep 2011,28 mins
Series 1
Moral Disgust
Sitting in a pub, Matthew Sweet discovers how real life is full of philosophical problems.
27 Sep 2011,28 mins