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Philosopher's Zone

ABC
Philosophy
Education
Ethics
Intellectual Humility
Philosophy Of Education
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Moral Philosophy
De-Extinction
Humanities
Identity
Classical Chinese History
Liberalism
Gut Health
Sima Qian
Chinese Culture
Wonder
Feminism
Swearing
Musical Taste

The simplest questions often have the most complex answers. The Philosopher's Zone is your guide through the strange thickets of logic, metaphysics and ethics.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes777Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Philosopher's Zone

Latest Episodes

Collins Dictionary made "permacrisis" their word of the year in 2022 - a prescient choice because since then, the crises have just kept coming. Permacrisis is forcing us to take a close look at the way we communicate, because while free public discou... more

Elite sport is traditionally a celebration of the human, but for how much longer? We watch in awe as athletes perform feats of skill, strength and endurance, and experience the high drama of triumph and defeat - but it's all on a human scale, or at l... more

Why are we so repelled yet fascinated by bodily waste? Today we're talking purity, pollution, colonial sanitation regimes, medicine and public health, and how they've been shaped by our deeply ambivalent attitudes to the stuff we all produce (ideally... more

There's a certain kind of question that raises suspicion as to the motives of the person asking it. 'Was the Holocaust really as bad as historians have made out?' 'Is there really a scientific consensus on climate change?' 'How do we now for sure tha... more

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Recent Guests

Tal Harper
Associate Professor in the School of Media and Communication at Murdoch University in Perth
Murdoch University
Episode: Communication in an age of crisis
Ian Robertson
Scholar based in Germany working on AI in sport
Center for Philosophy and AI Research, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
Episode: Can sport survive AI?
Warwick Anderson
Author of Spectacles of Waste; Professor of Politics, Governance and Ethics in the Discipline of Health at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
Episode: Purity, filth and 'promiscuous defecators': why we're weird about poo
Audrey Yap
Canadian philosopher and professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Victoria
University of Victoria
Episode: Bad faith and 'just asking questions'
Jeremy Moss
Professor of Political Philosophy
University of New South Wales
Episode: 'Natural' disasters and climate justice
Bronwyn Finnegan
Associate professor in the School of Philosophy at the Australian National University
Australian National University
Episode: Where am I? Buddhist philosophy and the self
Cliff Sosis
Principal lecturer at Coastal Carolina University; editor of Too Weird to Believe, Too Plausible to Deny, Mind Blowing Philosophical Ideas
Coastal Carolina University; editor of a philosophy volume
Episode: Common sense vs reason: when philosophy gets weird
Ryan Walter
Associate Professor, School of Political Science and International Studies, University of Queensland
University of Queensland
Episode: Adam Smith, economics and moral philosophy
Valerie Tiberius
Professor of Philosophy at the University of Minnesota, author
University of Minnesota
Episode: Can AIs be friends?

Host

David Rutledge
Host of philosophical discussions and interviews; associated with The Philosopher's Zone; ABC Radio/ABC Listen

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 931 ratings
  • GAY SCHOOL

    "it's the Same"

    A place, space & Time where students get to learn deeply the differences on reacting and judging.

    It feels at times that God got Bored n let everyone judge themselves. it hurts, I mean deeply to judge - a thinking style. Maybe even Private.

    This school, is about sketching likes. Feeling bad, then reacting with a Kinda Lika gender style. students choice.

    the difference is the same. In our culture, the emphasis is better girls with girls and the same with boys. only till the... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    She-inder
    Australia8 months ago
  • So disappointing

    Talk about slopaganda the reason Hamas returned no women hostages in recent release was they already had been released?! How about Inbar Hayman whose body has just been returned? I’m so disappointed.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jrrko3odr
    Australia9 months ago
  • Was better when it was new

    I have been a regular listener of this podcast for almost 10 years now, going back to those early days when there were few pods and almost none on philosophical subjects.

    It is still one that I subscribe to but its uniqueness has faded. There are others who discuss these topics in more depth and with greater rigor. Yet this one has retained some of its charm. The host has struck the right balance between listening, questioning and intervening.

    Yet the guests disappoint more often than not beca... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    sidneyhart
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best philosophy Podcast

    David Rutledge is a superb host and presenter. He draws out the interview is to let them explain themselves, often better than they would do if left to their own devices. He is knowledgeable about the subjects and able to raise critiques of ideas in a way that is non-combative, but sheds light. A wonderful program.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ZiggyandMicki
    Australia2 years ago
  • Thought provoking

    Listened to the latest episode on recommendation from a friend. This is an accessible intro to a timely topic and history, discussed in a clear and considered way. It brings me back to studying philosophy years ago but at a level that’s right for me now.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    listener and plant whisperer
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A few listeners request more diverse perspectives or more detailed episode notes.
Listeners praise accessibility and depth, noting host's balanced critique and inviting interviewing style.
Regular praise for breadth of topics and high production quality; many appreciate thoughtful, non-confrontational discourse.
Overall, listeners find it a valuable, rigorous entry point to philosophical topics.
Some critics feel episodes occasionally lean toward predictable viewpoints or rush guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can sport survive AI?
Q: What about the trust people place in AI versus reliance on AI in sports?
Philosophers distinguish trust from reliance; AI tools should not be treated as trusted partners, since trust involves personal commitment, whereas reliance on opaque AI can be problematic due to explainability and bias concerns.
Can sport survive AI?
Q: How do we distinguish between AI as a tool and AI as a co-author of athletic success that could undermine human elements in sport?
There are responsibility gaps: if AI influences outcomes, who is responsible—the developers, the teams, the coaches? The risk is that over-reliance on AI could diminish human agency and virtue in sports.
Can sport survive AI?
Q: You're particularly worried about de-skilling. What kind of de-skilling do you have in mind, and how might AI contribute to that?
Technological de-skilling happens when people rely on technology and lose skills like navigation without maps or mental arithmetic, and there is concern that AI could erode athletic judgment and traditional competencies, even while it can also unlock new capabilities and prevent injuries.
Adam Smith, economics and moral philosophy
Q: Why does the guest argue that Smith's free trade is not a simple endorsement?
Because Smith allows for principled exceptions to free trade based on social justice, equity, and humanity, such as protecting workers during transitions or safeguarding essential food supplies, indicating a nuanced, context-sensitive approach rather than rigid laissez-faire.
Adam Smith, economics and moral philosophy
Q: How does Smith's Wealth of Nations relate to his moral philosophy?
Wealth of Nations continues the same overarching project, tying economic activity to social and moral ends, and showing how laws, justice, and education support both wealth and human flourishing, not just profit.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Philosopher's Zone

What is Philosopher's Zone about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful philosophy-focused podcast that often bridges theory and practical ethics through conversations with scholars, critics, and writers. Episodes consistently explore topics at the intersection of morality, politics, technology, education, and culture, with guests ranging from Kantian ethics and medieval philosophy to metamodernism and planetary civics. The host steers discussions with a calm, rigorous approach that invites examination of ideas without heavy-handed dogmatism, making complex arguments accessible to educated listeners who want to think more clearly about everyday issues and public discourse. A notable strength is its ability to pair deep scholarly context with contemporary stakes, offering listeners both historical p... more

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1. The Minefield
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3. All In The Mind
4. Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today
5. Late Night Live — Full program podcast

How many episodes of Philosopher's Zone are there?

Philosopher's Zone launched 20 years ago and published 777 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Philosopher's Zone?

Recent guests on Philosopher's Zone include:

1. Tal Harper
2. Ian Robertson
3. Warwick Anderson
4. Audrey Yap
5. Jeremy Moss
6. Bronwyn Finnegan
7. Cliff Sosis
8. Ryan Walter

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