Five Minute Philosophy

In this episode, Archie Fletcher discusses G.E. Moore’s (1939) famous paper ‘Proof of an External World’ and investigates how hands can be used to counter the external-world sceptic. If you’ve ever wondered, “How can I prove that the world is real?” this episode explains Moore’s argument that the world is real, shows why hands might serve as evidence for this, and sheds light on what this reveals about knowledge. Enjoy!

Read Moore's paper here: https://gwern.net/doc/philosophy/epistemology/1939-moore.pdf

Read Archie's blog post here: https://substack.com/@thezombieselfreportform/note/p-180346486?r=31bolx&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

In this episode, Finn Thwaite introduces our mini-series on consciousness. We hear about the “hard problem of consciousness”, the subjective certainty of our own point of view, our confidence in the completeness of physics, and how this extrinsic, behavioural story relates to intrinsic, subjective experience. Enjoy!

If you want to get in touch to suggest a topic, or apply to record an episode yourself, please email us at fiveminutephilosophyemail@gmail.com.

In this episode, Archie Fletcher guides us through a brief history of Analytic Philosophy. We hear about the key figures that shaped this style of Philosophy, which itself can be understood in terms of its method and aims, namely: clarity, rigour and logical argumentation. Enjoy!

If you want to get in touch to suggest a topic, or apply to record an episode yourself, please email us at fiveminutephilosophyemail@gmail.com.

In this episode, guest contributor Yolanda discusses Standpoint Theory - the idea that your experience of reality can vary depending on your standpoint. This is particularly salient when applied to the experiences of marginalised groups, Yolanda argues, and by drawing on this theory we can better understand the members of these groups and their unique standpoints. Enjoy, and thank you Yolanda for your contribution!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please get in touch via email (fiveminutephilosophyemail@gmail.com), Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

In this episode, I'll be talking all about the theory of Possible Worlds, with a particular emphasis on David Lewis' Modal Realism. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).

In this episode, guest contributor Mark Bowker (Marie Skłodowska–Curie Fellow in Philosophy at Lund University) discusses his current area of research - generalisations about social groups, particularly when these generalisations include certain types of prejudices (racism, sexism, homophobia etc). He also explores ideas quantification, asking the question: how many instances of something must there be for me to be warranted in making a generalisation about it, and does this change depending on the thing we are making a generalisation about? Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

Link to Mark's website: http://markbowker.xyz 

In this episode, I go through the claims Hume makes about causation in 'An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding', and why he takes causal inference to be an unreliable model for making rational claims about the world. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to get in contact, message me on Twitter (@fiveminutephil1) or Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy). 

After a 6 month hiatus, I'm back! In this episode, I talk about Aristotle's 'Golden Mean' - a commentary about virtue, found in his 'Nicomachean Ethics'. Enjoy! 

In this episode, guest contributor Will Hathaway and I discuss how culture would be different humans didn't have to eat - would culture have to centre around something different, and if so, what? Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, we'll be talking about the three main approaches to the topic of self-knowledge: acquaintance theory, inner-sense theory and rationalist theory. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, we'll be running through a brief history of logic, focusing on the 3 major periods in the discipline: ancient, medieval and modern logic. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking all about the subfield of aesthetics known as 'everyday aesthetics', or 'aesthetics of the familiar', in which the boundaries of aesthetic appreciation are broadened to make room for everyday experiences in the realm of what is considered to be 'aesthetic'. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to do a guest contribution, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking about Mariology - the theological study of the Virgin Mary. This includes her role as the Mother of God, the immaculate conception and issues surrounding the notion of her 'perpetual virginity'. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In today's episode, guest contributor Msaa Mugavana explains why secularism might be considered to be a threat to today's youth, as well as the benefits of religion as a guiding force, particularly for the young. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking about the 'Paradox of Fiction', as well as how some scholars have responded to the paradox. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking all about Naturalism, as well as how it links to other areas of philosophy like epistemology and ethics. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, Dr Peter West talks all about Berkeley and his philosophical standpoint known as 'idealism'. Enjoy, and thank you to Peter for doing this episode! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).  

In this episode, I'll be discussing Genevieve Lloyd's feminist work 'The Man of Reason' and its discussion of the gendering of 'Reason' as male throughout the history of Western philosophy, with a particular emphasis on the works of Plato and Descartes. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking all about Baruch Spinoza and his ideas on God, ethics and perspective. Enjoy! 

In this episode, I'll be talking about the gendering of God as male in the Christian tradition, and whether it would be so controversial to switch up the language used to describe this God to make it more female-oriented. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking all about Paul Ricoeur's approach to texts known as his 'hermeneutics of suspicion'. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

Today I'll be talking about logical atomism, its metaphysical and methodological application, as well as how it differs from the idealism of the time. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be going through the key ideas in T.M. Scanlon's book, 'What We Owe to Each Other'. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking about Process Philosophy, and also how it links to Process Theology. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be running through some of the key terms and ideas commonly found in existentialism, such as the different modes of 'Being' and 'Nausea'. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking all about writer and philosopher Albert Camus, including some of his most famous texts like 'The Plague' and 'The Myth of Sisyphus'. Enjoy!

In this episode, I'll be talking all about British theologian John Hick's global theology and approach to religious pluralism, including some of the critiques his account has received. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I talk all about Ancient Greek philosopher and prophetess Diotima of Mantinea, and the ideas she presents in Plato's 'Symposium'. Enjoy! 

In this episode, I'll be speaking all about Thomas Aquinas' Cosmological Argument and its three components: the 'Argument from Motion', the 'Argument from Causation' and the 'Argument from Necessity'. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking about John Stuart Mill's essay 'On Liberty', including the ideas he explores and how they can be applied to his form of rule utilitarianism. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking all about the concept of heresy, including its historical/theological significance and the distinction made in the Roman Catholic tradition between 'formal' and 'material' heresy. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking about the crossover between ideas about free will and religious belief, specifically about the supposed incompatibility of determinism and Christianity. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking all about Aristotle's Virtue Ethics, and how it suggests we become 'virtuous people'. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking all about the ethical criticism of art - or, the overlap between the branches of philosophy known as 'ethics' and 'aesthetics', and how their values interact. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this special Valentine's Day episode, I'll be speaking all about Plato's 'Symposium' and the ideas about love presented in it. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutuephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, Toby Buckle - host of the Political Philosophy Podcast - talks all about ideology, including how the term is understood by different people or groups, as well as what ideologies tend to represent. Enjoy, and check out the Political Philosophy Podcast for longer interview-style podcasts all about political philosophy. 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be going over some of the main themes and ideas in Plato's 'Republic', including ideas about justice and how Plato attempts to construct his 'ideal state'. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'm joined by fellow Philosophy student Samuel Jackson to talk about Socratic dialogue, as seen in many of Plato's works. We speak about perception and idealism, and ask whether it is rational to say that an external material world exists, and more importantly, that it exists how we perceive it to exist. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode for the podcast, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking about theological non-realism and its take on the existence of God, mainly through the work of Don Cupitt. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, we'll be talking all about Sartre and Nietzsche's ethical subjectivism, and a bit about how their personal ethics were influenced by the rest of their philosophies. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, I'll be talking a bit about Raphael's painting, 'The School of Athens', including its context within the Renaissance and what we can see in the painting. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

For today's episode, the final instalment of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, a very special guest contributor speaks all about Confucius. Merry Christmas to all of my lovely listeners, and thank you for joining me every day for the past month for the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series - I will be back in the new year with more episodes! Enjoy. 

In this episode, the penultimate of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we'll be discussing whether God can (theoretically) ride a bike, putting into question attributes such as His omnipotence and omniscience. Enjoy, and happy Christmas Eve! 

In this episode, the 23rd of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, I'll be analysing Steinbeck's novel 'The Grapes of Wrath' using the feminist socio-economic thought of Simone de Beauvoir and Friedrich Engels. Enjoy! 

In this episode, the 22nd of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, I'll be speaking a bit about the 20th Century Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset and his ideas on perspectivism. Enjoy! 

In this episode, the 21st of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, I'll be talking all about the differences between gender essentialism and gender existentialism. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 20th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we'll be talking all about Christian moral principles - more specifically, the differences between theonomous, heteronomous and autonomous approaches to Christian ethics and practices. Enjoy! 

In this episode, the 19th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, guest contributor Alex Fisher speaks about the philosophy of videogames - in particular, the issues of ethics and aesthetics that arise, such as the permissibility of virtual actions. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 18th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we'll be looking at the notion of bad faith, as found in existential philosophy, as well as looking at Sartre and de Beauvoir's thoughts on it. Enjoy! 

In this episode, the 17th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, guest contributor Mr Oliver Gent - teacher of English and Classics at Stamford School - speaks all about Stoicism, including its origins and what it promotes. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 16th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, guest contributor James Farrow speaks all about Thomas Hobbes, in particular his 1651 work 'Leviathan'. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 15th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy', I'll be speaking about 'After Dinner Conversation', an organisation that aims to promote critical thinking and debate through short stories, podcasts and more. Here's the link to their website: After Dinner Conversation - Philosophy | Ethics Short Stories - use the code 'Dinner' for the first month free on a subscription to their magazine, and then pay just $1.95/month. 

In this episode, the 14th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we're doing a Philosophy/English Literature crossover, and will be looking at how free will is portrayed in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1).  

In today's episode, the 13th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we'll be talking all about relativism - moral relativism, in particular - and some of the debate surrounding it. Enjoy! 

In this episode, the 12th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we'll be looking at the idea of Praxis and how it has been used by various philosophers, including Aristotle, Mary Daly, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Karl Marx and Hannah Arendt. Enjoy!

To contact me: Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy)/Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 11th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we'll be talking all about logical arguments, including the differences between induction and deduction, as well as the structure of syllogisms. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 10th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we're going to be looking at the Teleological Argument, an argument for God's existence which infers an intelligent designer from the observation of design in the universe. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 9th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we're going to looking at Billie Eilish's new song, 'Therefore I Am', and its links with Descartes' 'cogito'. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 8th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we're going to be talking about British moral philosopher Mary Midgley and some of her key ideas. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 7th in the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, I speak a bit about what I take to be the value of philosophy, from a talk I gave to some students at my school a couple of weeks ago. A bit of a long one today, but I hope you enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please get in touch on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 6th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, I'll be talking (in Spanish!) about Spanish philosopher Miguel de Unamuno and his ideas about suffering. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please get in touch on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 5th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we'll be talking all about the existentialist philosopher Kierkegaard and his views on anxiety, as seen in his 1844 work 'The Concept of Anxiety'. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 4th of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we'll be talking about Jesus - in particular, the differences between the 'Historical Jesus' and the 'Christ of Faith'. Enjoy!

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 3rd in the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' series, we'll learn all about political philosopher Hannah Arendt, including a few of her key ideas.

If you'd like to request an episode, or make a guest contribution to the podcast, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the 2nd in the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy series', you'll learn all about anarchism and the beliefs it promotes, including some thoughts from some key thinkers. Enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, the first of the '25 Days of 5 Minute Philosophy' Christmas series, you'll learn all about Ontology and some of the ideas found within it, ranging from Democritus' theory of atoms to gender ontology - enjoy! 

If you'd like to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy) or Twitter (@fiveminutephil1). 

In this episode, you'll learn all about Gnosticism, including its main teachings and differences from orthodox Christianity. Enjoy! 

If you want to request an episode, or even do an episode yourself, please contact me on Twitter (@fiveminutephil1) or Instagram (@fiveminutephilosophy). 

In this episode, you'll learn all about the Enlightenment, including what caused it, what characterised the movement, its effects and whether it was, overall, good or bad. Enjoy! 

In this episode, you'll learn all about G.E. Moore's 'Naturalistic Fallacy' - essentially, why we can't equate a natural property, like pleasure, with 'the Good'. Enjoy! 

In this episode, you'll learn all about the differences between Dualism and Monism in relation to the soul, including the key thinkers associated with each approach. Enjoy! 

In this episode, Dr. David Bather Woods - professor of philosophy at Warwick University - talks all about Schopenhauer's views on pessimism, including Nietzsche's opinion on these views.

In this episode, you'll hear a brief summary of the key ideas covered in Simone de Beauvoir's 1949 feminist work, 'The Second Sex' - some of these ideas include the emergence of the oppression of women and their social position as the 'Other'.

In this episode, you'll learn all about Wittgenstein's two different approaches to language as seen in his 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus' and 'Philosophical Investigations'; we will compare the ideas seen in both, seeing where they differ and where they overlap.

For the first ever guest contribution of the podcast, Ahren Bailey is going to be talking all about Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Enjoy!

In this episode, you'll learn all about Diogenes - or 'Diogenes the Cynic' - including his key ideas and his life.

In this episode, you'll learn all about the debate surrounding free will, including brief overviews of the different approaches to the topic - libertarianism, determinism and compatibilism - and their implications for society. 

In this episode, you'll all learn about Immanuel Kant and his ethic, and how it differs from Utilitarianism. 

In this episode, you'll learn all about the 3 different types of utilitarianism: act, rule and preference. Enjoy!

In this episode, you'll learn all about Nietzsche's philosophy, including existentialism, nihilism and the meaning behind his assertion that 'God is dead'. 

In this episode, you'll learn all about John Rawls' 'Veil of Ignorance', a thought experiment commonly mentioned in political philosophy. 

In this episode, you'll learn all about Plato's 'Simile of the Cave' - an analogy explaining his Theory of the Forms. 

In this episode you'll learn all about the three most infamous philosophers from Ancient Greece: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. 

Welcome to the 'Five Minute Philosophy' podcast!