Episode #209 - Improving our world through applied ethics. (Peter Singer, Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek)
Episode #209 - Improving our world through applied ethics. (Peter Singer, Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek)
Today we talk about Peter Singer’s response to an anticapitalist critique of his work. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek’s thoughts on different approaches to morality and some pitfalls to avoid. We talk about creative activism and philosophy being more prevalent in school and in public spaces.
This episode features a thoughtful conversation with philosophers Peter Singer and Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek about how to make moral progress within the system we have. Instead of calling for a revolution, they focus on practical ways to reduce suffering using tools already available. They respond to critiques of capitalism by acknowledging its flaws while highlighting real global progress. The episode encourages a more flexible, personal approach to ethics—not as picking sides, but as understanding how different moral ideas work in different situations. It also explores creative activism, the importance of moral education, and how movements like Effective Altruism show what’s possible when people stay engaged.
Further Reading:
The Most Good You Can Do – Peter Singer (2015)
The Expanding Circle: Ethics, Evolution, and Moral Progress – Peter Singer (1981; 2nd ed. 2011)
Utilitarianism: A Very Short Introduction – Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek & Peter Singer (2017)
See the full transcript here
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Episode #208 - The moral evolution of a philosopher. (Peter Singer)
Episode #208 - The moral evolution of a philosopher. (Peter Singer)
We talk about Emotivism. R.M. Hare's Prescriptivism. Nozick's Experience Machine. Some thought experiments from Derek Parfit. Henry Sidgwick and Objectivist Hedonistic Utilitarianism.
This episode traces the moral evolution of philosopher Peter Singer, showing how his ethical beliefs have changed over decades of thought and debate. Beginning as an emotivist hedonistic utilitarian who believed morality was based on feelings and subjective preferences, Singer gradually shifted toward a more rationalist and objective approach. Influenced by thinkers like R.M. Hare and Derek Parfit, he moved from emotivism to prescriptivism, then ultimately to moral objectivism, where he now sees certain ethical truths—like the undesirability of suffering—as self-evident through reason alone. Along the way, Singer challenged and refined his views on utilitarianism, shifting from maximizing pleasure to satisfying preferences, and finally returning to a refined form of hedonistic utilitarianism inspired by Henry Sidgwick. His journey reflects a lifelong commitment to clarity, logical consistency, and ethical progress grounded in reflection, rationality, and compassion for all sentient life.
Further Reading:
The Expanding Circle: Ethics, Evolution, and Moral Progress – Peter Singer (1981)
The Point of View of the Universe: Sidgwick and Contemporary Ethics – Peter Singer & Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek (2014)
Ethics in the Real World: 82 Brief Essays on Things That Matter – Peter Singer (2016)
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Episode #207 - Fear is toxic to a democracy. (Martha Nussbaum)
Episode #207 - Fear is toxic to a democracy. (Martha Nussbaum)
This episode explores the ideas of philosopher Martha Nussbaum, focusing on her argument that emotions—especially fear—play a central role in how democracies succeed or fail. Nussbaum challenges the traditional view that emotions are irrational and instead sees them as important tools for understanding what people value. She compares emotions like shame and guilt to show how our responses reflect different attitudes toward others and society. The core of her message is that fear, when left unexamined, can damage the trust and cooperation needed in a democracy, especially when media and politicians use it to manipulate people. Instead of fear, she believes we should cultivate hope—an active, thoughtful hope that pushes us toward practical solutions, deeper civic engagement, and meaningful conversations with one another.
Further Reading:
The Emotional Life of Populism, Eva Illouz & Avital Sicron (2023)
Anger, Fear, Domination, William A. Galston (2025)
The Geopolitics of Emotion, Dominique Moïsi (2009)
See the full transcript here
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Episode #206 - Capitalism is dead. This is Technofeudalism. (Yanis Varoufakis)
Episode #206 - Capitalism is dead. This is Technofeudalism. (Yanis Varoufakis)
This episode explores economist Yanis Varoufakis’s argument that capitalism, as we’ve known it, is already over—and we’re now living in what he calls “technofeudalism.” Unlike capitalism, which is based on markets and profit, this new system centers on digital platforms controlled by a few powerful tech companies that charge rent-like fees and use algorithms to shape behavior. Varoufakis compares this structure to medieval feudalism, where landowners held power, but today it’s data and behavior that are controlled. The episode traces how the 2008 financial crisis and massive money printing helped create this system, where ownership and control are increasingly concentrated. It also explores how this shift impacts everyday life, from economic inequality to political division, and offers ideas for moving forward—like regulating tech differently, exploring shared ownership models, and rethinking our relationship with digital platforms to make them more democratic.
Further Reading:
Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis (2024)
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff (2019)
Chokepoint Capitalism by Rebecca Giblin and Cory Doctorow (2022)
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Episode #205 - Why a meritocracy is corrosive to society. (Michael Sandel)
Episode #205 - Why a meritocracy is corrosive to society. (Michael Sandel)
This episode explores Michael Sandel’s critique of meritocracy—the idea that success should go to the most talented and hardworking people. While this sounds fair, Sandel argues that it often leads to unintended consequences. Many people who succeed believe they fully earned it, while those who struggle are seen as personally to blame, even though larger forces like history, economics, and luck play a major role. This way of thinking, Sandel says, damages social bonds and creates resentment, especially when people feel overlooked despite doing everything society told them to do. He traces the roots of this mindset to old religious debates about salvation and argues that it leads to too much pride and not enough humility. Sandel calls for a shift in how we define value in society, emphasizing dignity for all kinds of work—not just jobs that require college degrees. He believes a healthier democracy requires more respect, civic responsibility, and policies that focus on the common good instead of just rewarding personal achievement.
Further Reading:
The Tyranny of Merit, Michael J. Sandel (2020)
The Meritocracy Trap, Daniel Markovits (2019)
The Tyranny of the Meritocracy, Lani Guinier (2015)
See the full transcript here
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Episode #204 - The importance of philosophy, justice and the common good. (Michael Sandel)
Episode #204 - The importance of philosophy, justice and the common good. (Michael Sandel)
This episode explores how philosopher Michael Sandel offers a different way of improving society without having to tear down capitalism entirely. Instead of only focusing on policies or economics, he urges us to rethink how we understand justice and what it means to live well together. Through his book Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?, Sandel breaks down three major ways of thinking about justice—utilitarianism, libertarianism, and virtue ethics—showing how each has strengths but also serious flaws. Most importantly, Sandel believes we’ve lost sight of the civic conversations that help shape a fair society. He argues that when market logic replaces social values, it weakens public life and erodes our ability to aim for a common good. The episode makes the case that justice isn’t just about rules or rights, but about the kind of citizens we become and the kinds of conversations we’re willing to have.
Further Reading:
Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? by Michael J. Sandel (2009)
The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good? by Michael J. Sandel (2020)
What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets by Michael J. Sandel (2012)
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Episode #203 - Why the future is being slowly cancelled. - Postmodernism (Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism)
Episode #203 - Why the future is being slowly cancelled. - Postmodernism (Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism)
This episode expands on the ideas of neoliberalism and postmodernism by exploring how their combination creates a culture stuck in the present, where people struggle to imagine a different future. Mark Fisher argues that postmodern values like moral relativism and skepticism toward grand narratives have eroded our ability to declare shared truths or build unifying cultural movements. This confusion, paired with a capitalist system that turns everything—including art, memory, and politics—into tools for profit, leads to a society haunted by recycled ideas and failed dreams. Art, music, and even revolutionary politics become nostalgic remixes rather than forward-thinking creations. The result is a widespread sense of disconnection and what Fisher calls “the slow cancellation of the future.” He proposes a path out through what he called Acid Communism—a reinvigoration of consciousness that draws from feminism, socialism, and psychedelic culture to help people rediscover the parts of life that capitalist realism has forced us to forget.
Further Reading:
Postcapitalist Desire: The Final Lectures by Mark Fisher (2021)
Postcapitalism: A Guide to Our Future by Paul Mason (2015)
Against the Terror of Neoliberalism: Politics Beyond the Age of Greed by Henry A. Giroux (2008)
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Episode #202 - Why we can’t think beyond Capitalism. (Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism)
Episode #202 - Why we can’t think beyond Capitalism. (Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism)
This episode introduces the concept of Capitalist Realism as developed by Mark Fisher, describing a widespread feeling that it's easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. It explores how neoliberalism, with its focus on individualism, competition, and limited government, became the dominant system by absorbing people’s desire for change and repackaging it as personal ambition. The episode argues that this framework not only shapes how people think and live but also hides its failures by blaming individuals for systemic issues, including mental health struggles. Fisher suggests that this mindset prevents solidarity and deeper political change, not through conspiracy, but through the way society is structured to make alternatives feel unimaginable.
Further Reading
Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? by Mark Fisher (2009)
Understanding Mental Distress: Knowledge, Practice and Neoliberal Reform by Rich Moth (2022)
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein (2007)
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Episode #201 - Resistance, Love and the importance of Failure. (Zizek, Han)
Episode #201 - Resistance, Love, and the importance of Failure. (Zizek, Byung Chul Han)
This episode explores Slavoj Žižek’s idea that in a world where grand narratives have lost their power, most people fall into one of three paths: burnout and escapism, obsessive careerism, or trying to revive old traditions to find meaning. But Žižek hints at a fourth option—one where people deeply engage with something they truly care about, not to achieve it perfectly, but to fail at it meaningfully and continuously. Through examples like falling in love or pursuing a passion, he shows how real freedom comes from resisting surface-level, commodified experiences and instead embracing deeper, more transformative efforts. Žižek connects this to surplus enjoyment—how people often find meaning not in achieving goals but in the struggle itself, which can be exploited by society. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to take control of their desires, engage deeply with what matters to them, and live in ways that challenge the shallow structures of consumer life.
Further Reading:
Surplus-Enjoyment: A Guide for the Non-Perplexed, Slavoj Žižek (2022)
The Burnout Society, Byung-Chul Han (2015)
Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl (2006)
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Episode #200 - The Postmodern subject and “ideology without ideology” (Zizek, Byung Chul Han)
Episode #200 - The Postmodern subject and “ideology without ideology”. (Zizek, Byung Chul Han)
This episode examines Slavoj Žižek’s critique of how modern culture turns wisdom into a shallow, marketable product that discourages people from engaging with the real complexity of the world. He argues that phrases passed off as “wise” are often just performances, easily reversed or repackaged without offering deeper understanding. Žižek connects this to a broader problem in postmodern thinking, where people claim to reject fixed identities and grand narratives, yet unknowingly recreate new universals under the guise of fluidity and freedom. He shows how surface-level experiences—like moderation, political correctness, or performative activism—replace real engagement, creating a sense of freedom and moral superiority that masks ideological control. Through this lens, Žižek sees philosophy not as a search for stable truths, but as a constant effort to reveal contradictions in how we make sense of reality.
Further Reading:
The Society of the Spectacle – Guy Debord (1967)
The Parallax View – Slavoj Žižek (2006)
Simulacra and Simulation – Jean Baudrillard (1981)
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Episode #199 - A conservative communist’s take on global capitalism and desire. (Zizek, Marx, Hegel)
Episode #198 - The truth is in the process. Zizek Pt. 3 (Ideology, Dialectics)
This episode explores how political labels like “left” and “right” oversimplify the complex and evolving ways people relate to society, especially in a globalized world. It uses this as a starting point to understand Slavoj Žižek, whose ideas don’t fit into traditional categories. Drawing on thinkers like Marx, Hegel, and Lacan, Žižek views identity as shaped by desire and contradiction, arguing that our sense of self is driven by what we lack and shaped by ideological systems we often don’t notice. He sees global capitalism not just as an economic model, but as a powerful force that teaches people how to desire, keeping them locked into patterns that feel like freedom but reinforce the system. While Žižek supports improvements like healthcare and housing, he believes democratic socialism only softens capitalism without challenging its core antagonisms. He calls himself a “moderately conservative communist” to express a cautious, deeply critical stance toward both capitalism and unexamined revolutionary thinking—urging people to think more clearly before rushing to change the world.
Further Reading:
The Sublime Object of Ideology – Slavoj Žižek (1989)
First as Tragedy, Then as Farce – Slavoj Žižek (2009)
Zero Point (Žižek's Essays) – Slavoj Žižek (2025)
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Episode #198 - The truth is in the process. Zizek Pt. 3 (Ideology, Dialectics)
Episode #198 - The truth is in the process. Zizek Pt. 3 (Ideology, Dialectics)
This episode explores Zizek’s view of ideology as an invisible structure that shapes how people interpret the world and act within it, often without realizing it. It begins with a listener’s question about whether dismantling ideology is even worthwhile, given how much we rely on it just to function and do good. Zizek’s response complicates this by showing how ideology doesn’t just offer shortcuts—it can distort efforts, like fighting climate change, by keeping people focused on small gestures while ignoring deeper systemic problems. Through examples from politics, social institutions, and consumer behavior, the episode argues that liberal democratic capitalism has become so dominant that it frames nearly all thought and action, even those meant to oppose it. Drawing on dialectical thinking, Zizek challenges the idea that history is progressing toward an ideal system and instead emphasizes the constant tension and transformation that define reality. The episode ends by suggesting that even when people become aware of ideology, they still cling to it as a way of coping with the complexity and pain of the world.
Further Reading:
The Sublime Object of Ideology by Slavoj Žižek (1989)
Zizek's Politics by Jodi Dean (2006)
Slavoj Žižek and Dialectical Materialism edited by Agon Hamza and Frank Ruda (2016)
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Episode #197 - New Atheists and cosmic purpose without God (Zizek, Goff, Nagel)
Episode #197 - New Atheists and cosmic purpose without God (Zizek, Goff, Nagel)
This episode explores how seemingly objective worldviews—particularly scientific materialism—can function as ideologies, just like more overtly religious belief systems. Drawing from the work of Slavoj Žižek, Thomas Nagel, and Philip Goff, it challenges the idea that truth must be limited to what can be empirically verified. It highlights how even the scientific method depends on unprovable philosophical assumptions, such as the rational coherence of the universe or the reliability of induction. By tracing material reductionism’s historical roots and contrasting it with alternative perspectives, like Nagel’s teleological framework or Goff’s value-selection hypothesis, the episode invites listeners to question whether science alone can fully explain consciousness, meaning, and purpose. Rather than rejecting science, it proposes a more reflective approach—one that integrates scientific rigor with a broader philosophical awareness, recognizing that the frameworks we use shape the truths we find.
Further Reading:
The Sublime Object of Ideology by Slavoj Žižek (1989)
Mind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False by Thomas Nagel (2012)
Why? The Purpose of the Universe by Philip Goff (2023)
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Episode #196 - The Improbable Slavoj Zizek - Pt. 1
Episode #196 - The Improbable Slavoj Zizek - Pt. 1
This episode introduces the complex and polarizing philosopher Slavoj Žižek, focusing less on his individual claims and more on the form and function of his philosophy. The discussion opens by acknowledging Žižek’s reputation for provocative and sometimes outrageous statements, but reframes these moments as deliberate rhetorical tactics meant to disrupt ideological complacency. Drawing from thinkers like Hegel, Marx, and Lacan, Žižek sees human subjectivity as shaped by layers of ideology we often can’t see. Rather than positioning himself as a truth-teller with a new ideology, Žižek tries to expose the symbolic structures through which we all interpret the world—language, rituals, cultural norms—and highlight how they narrow our field of vision. The goal isn’t to offer neat solutions, but to awaken listeners to the frameworks they take for granted. By disorienting his audience, Žižek hopes to inspire deeper reflection about what we assume to be self-evident. His style may appear chaotic, but it serves a purpose: to shake us from dogmatic slumber and provoke better questions about progress, ethics, and ideology itself.
Further Reading:
The Sublime Object of Ideology by Slavoj Žižek (1989)
Looking Awry: An Introduction to Jacques Lacan through Popular Culture by Slavoj Žižek (1991)
Violence: Six Sideways Reflections by Slavoj Žižek (2008)
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Episode #195 - Could Anarcho-Capitalism be the solution to our problems? - Anarchism Pt. 4 (Rothbard, Friedman, Malice)
Episode #195 - Could Anarcho-Capitalism be the solution to our problems? - Anarchism Pt. 4 (Rothbard, Friedman, Malice)
This episode breaks down a key divide within anarchist thought: anarcho-communists versus anarcho-capitalists. It examines why historical anarchist movements have often failed and argues that lack of support—not failure of the ideas themselves—played a major role. The show then explores anarcho-capitalism through thinkers like David Friedman and Murray Rothbard, who propose free markets and private services as alternatives to state power, grounded in the non-aggression principle. Critics like Noam Chomsky and anarcho-communists argue that capitalism itself creates coercive hierarchies, concentrating power through wealth and media control. The episode ends by asking whether real change is still possible and encourages small, values-based actions as a way to push toward liberty, equality, and solidarity—setting up a future discussion with philosopher Slavoj Žižek.
Further Reading:
The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism by David D. Friedman (1973)
For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto by Murray N. Rothbard (1973)
On Anarchism by Noam Chomsky (2013)
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Episode #194 - Do we really need the police? - Anarchism Pt. 3 (Gelderloos, Security)
Episode #194 - Do we really need the police? - Anarchism Pt. 3 (Gelderloos, Security)
This episode revisits the ideas of Byung-Chul Han, who sees modern life as increasingly self-centered and disconnected. He argues that today’s world pushes even well-meaning people to focus on themselves rather than others. The episode connects this to anarchist thought, suggesting that many of our biggest problems—violence, inequality, addiction—are shaped by systems built on hierarchy and disconnection. It looks at the 1919 Seattle General Strike as proof that communities can self-organize without top-down authority. While skeptics say anarchism is unrealistic, the show suggests it may be better understood as an ethical framework to guide how we live, not a blueprint to enforce overnight. It closes by asking whether imagining new ways of living is really naive—or whether not imagining them is the real danger.
Further Reading:
Anarchy Works by Peter Gelderloos (2010)
The Burnout Society by Byung-Chul Han (2015)
Anarchy by Errico Malatesta (1891)
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Episode #193 - The main export of the western world is trash. - Anarchism Pt. 2 (Bookchin, Social Ecology)
The main export of the western world is trash. - Anarchism Pt. 2 (Bookchin, Social Ecology)
This episode introduces the ideas of Murray Bookchin, a self-described social ecologist whose work reshaped how anarchist philosophy might respond to today’s ecological crisis. Bookchin argued that the world’s environmental problems are not just technical or scientific, but social—reflecting deeply embedded hierarchies in how people relate to one another and to nature. Building on last episode’s foundation of anarchist values like liberty, equality, and solidarity, this episode shows how Bookchin saw modern society’s obsession with domination and growth—especially under capitalism—as the root of ecological collapse, social unrest, and global inequality. He critiqued common environmental solutions like green consumerism and futurist techno-fixes, calling them superficial responses that fail to address deeper systemic issues. Instead, Bookchin called for decentralized, directly democratic communities grounded in mutual care, ecological responsibility, and human-scale relationships. The episode ends by revisiting a recurring historical theme: when enough people recognize that existing power structures no longer serve them, demands for new forms of freedom and solidarity emerge. Listeners are invited to send in their questions about real-world challenges and historical examples, which will be explored in the next episode.
Further Reading:
Social Ecology and Communalism by Murray Bookchin (2007)
Ecology or Catastrophe: The Life of Murray Bookchin by Janet Biehl (2015)
Ecology and Socialism: Solutions to Capitalist Ecological Crisis by Chris Williams (2010)
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Episode #192 - Should we overthrow the government tomorrow? - Anarchism Pt. 1 (Chomsky, Malatesta)
Should we overthrow the government tomorrow? - Anarchism Part 1 (Chomsky, Malatesta)
This episode introduces anarchism not as violent rebellion or chaos, but as a serious political philosophy questioning the legitimacy of hierarchical authority. Drawing on Noam Chomsky and thinkers like Errico Malatesta, the episode explores the idea that any form of power—whether in families, churches, corporations, or governments—must justify itself or be dismantled. Anarchists, rather than opposing organization, advocate for decentralized, democratic systems built on voluntary association, liberty, equality, and solidarity. Through real-world examples and critiques of state power, the episode outlines how modern authority structures, including governments and corporations, can suppress human potential and create systems of domination disguised as order. It ends by inviting listeners to explore whether hierarchical authority is truly necessary or simply an inherited constraint on collective freedom.
Further Reading:
On Anarchism by Noam Chomsky (2013)
Anarchy by Errico Malatesta (1891)
Anarchy Works by Peter Gelderloos (2010)
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Episode #191 - The modern concentration camp and the failure of human rights. (Giorgio Agamben)
Giorgio Agamben
Giorgio Agamben’s critique of human rights, influenced by Simone Weil, begins with the argument that legal frameworks fail to capture the essence of what they claim to protect—human dignity and freedom. Weil’s example contrasting a farmer’s legal right to sell eggs with the moral horror of forced prostitution underscores how legal language can flatten profound ethical violations. Agamben expands this critique, arguing that human rights are often weaponized as justifications for imperialist actions, such as U.S. and Russian military interventions framed as humanitarian efforts. He warns that the reverence given to human rights can obscure real political motivations and hinder discourse on equally urgent issues like inequality or climate change. Drawing on Aristotle’s concepts of zoe (bare life) and bios (political life), Agamben suggests that in states of exception—like concentration camps or Guantanamo Bay—individuals are stripped of both private autonomy and public representation, existing in a dehumanized limbo. He sees this logic extending through normalized practices like police brutality, pandemic lockdowns, international customs, and mass surveillance, arguing that these examples follow the same core political maneuver: suspending rights through emergency declarations. Additionally, Agamben critiques modern institutions for suppressing human potential in favor of control and productivity, proposing that societies rooted in potential rather than fear may offer a more humane future. Ultimately, his work asks whether the frameworks we depend on for justice are inherently flawed—and if moving beyond them is the only way forward.
Further Reading:
Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life by Giorgio Agamben (1998)
State of Exception by Giorgio Agamben (2005)
Means Without End: Notes on Politics by Giorgio Agamben (2000)
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Episode #190 - Are emotions a waste of time? - Neo-Stoicism (Martha Nussbaum)
Are emotions a waste of time?
This episode introduces the ethical philosophy of Martha Nussbaum, who challenges the Stoic belief that emotions should be suppressed or distrusted. Using literature and psychology, Nussbaum argues that emotions are not irrational forces, but powerful forms of moral judgment—ways of valuing what matters most. She explores how emotions like grief, anger, and love shape our understanding of justice and our ability to care for others. Against the Stoic ideal of emotional detachment, she offers a more realistic and compassionate vision: one that embraces vulnerability and acknowledges our deep need for others. This idea becomes central to her Capabilities Approach, a political philosophy that redefines justice in terms of what people are actually able to do and be. In a world that often values control, optimization, and self-reliance, Nussbaum’s work is a reminder that wisdom also means being open—to other people, to uncertainty, and to the emotions that make us human.
Further Reading:
Upheavals of Thought: The Intelligence of Emotions by Martha C. Nussbaum (2001)
Creating Capabilities: The Human Development Approach by Martha C. Nussbaum (2011)
The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy by Martha C. Nussbaum (1986)
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