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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
Swearing
Sima Qian
Chinese Culture
Wonder
Feminism
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
Society & CulturePhilosophy

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Artwork for Philosopher's Zone

Latest Episodes

Behind the familiar Buddhist doctrine that "there is no self" lies a centuries-long tradition of dispute and disagreement. Reductionists believe that the self is no more than a bundle of sense impressions and mental states that add up to nothing of s... more

There are certain things about the world that we think we know for sure, and yet philosophical reason tells us cannot be true. Can you fly? are you real? is the world a hallucination? The answers seem self-evident, but this week we're exploring philo... more

Scottish philosopher Adam Smith (1723-1790) is often described as an arch capitalist, the "father of modern economics" - and at a glance it's easy to see why. His Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations provided the theoretical fo... more

Artificial intelligence is beginning to revolutionise many aspects of human existence - but how does it rate on friendship? The question is less theoretical than it seems: media reports of people developing 'relationships' with chatbots are becoming ... more

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Recent Guests

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?
Ian Hunter
Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Queensland
University of Queensland
Episode: Kant and religion
Liesel van Zyl
Lecturer in philosophy, University of Waikato, New Zealand
University of Waikato
Episode: 'Being a burden' and assisted dying
Greg Demba
Seattle-based author and independent researcher in popular culture and media
What is Metamodern? (co-author)
Episode: Sincerity, irony and metamodernism
Rafael Dascalou
Senior Research Fellow in the History of Jewish Philosophy
Center for the History of Philosophy, Notre Dame University in Melbourne
Episode: Medieval Jewish philosophy and the lessons of history
Kristen Yazdahl
Professor of Philosophy at Temple University
Temple University
Episode: The reluctant feminist: Clara Zetkin and International Women's Day

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 930 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
    Australia7 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
    Australia7 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
    Australiaa year 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.

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.
Adam Smith, economics and moral philosophy
Q: What problem is Smith trying to solve in The Theory of Moral Sentiments?
He is addressing how people make moral judgments through sympathy and how this internalized process can align with social expectations, leading to actions that are morally praiseworthy when judged by an external impartial spectator.
Kant and religion
Q: What does it mean to describe Kantianism as having a religious disposition without appealing to transcendent divinity?
It means Kant treats religion as a practical relation to the self—an ascetic discipline that fosters reverence for the moral law within, rather than a dogmatic system based on divine revelation, while still engaging with theological debates of his era.
Kant and religion
Q: Can you outline that broad strokes account of how Kantianism has been understood by mainstream secular philosophy?
Kant is presented as a philosopher who articulates universal principles of cognition and morality that apply to all humans, suggesting a secular framework accessible without reliance on revealed doctrine, yet his work also contains a religious disposition tied to the idea of a moral law and ascetic self-transformation.

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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4. Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today
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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. Bronwyn Finnegan
2. Cliff Sosis
3. Ryan Walter
4. Valerie Tiberius
5. Ian Hunter
6. Liesel van Zyl
7. Greg Demba
8. Rafael Dascalou

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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