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Artwork for Within Reason

Within Reason

Alex J O'Connor
Christianity
Consciousness
Philosophy
Atheism
Gnosticism
Artificial Intelligence
God
Jesus
Neuroscience
Judaism
Democracy
Free Will
Panpsychism
Rene Descartes
Science
Death
Quantum Mechanics
Evolution
Mormonism
Epistemology

For the curious. A philosophy podcast that sometimes flirts with other disciplines, Within Reason has featured guests including Richard Dawkins, Douglas Murray, William Lane Craig, Peter Singer, Konstantin Kisin, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes151Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePhilosophy

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Artwork for Within Reason

Latest Episodes

Get Huel today with this exclusive offer for New Customers of 15% OFF with code alexoconnor at www.huel.com/alexoconnor (Minimum $50 purchase).For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack.Adam Neely is an ... more

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Get all sides of every story and be better informed at ground.news/AlexOC - subscribe for 40% off unlimited access.For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack: www.alexoconnor.com.Jonny Th... more

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Get all sides of every story and be better informed at ground.news/AlexOC - subscribe for 40% off unlimited access.For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack.

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Nate Soares is an American artif... more

Get Huel today with this exclusive offer for New Customers of 15% OFF with code alexoconnor at huel.com/alexoconnor (Minimum $50 purchase).For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack.Anil Seth is ... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Adam Neely
Musician and content creator, philosopher and theologian enthusiast
Musician and YouTuber
Episode: #155 AI Music is Not Music - Adam Neely
Jonny Thomson
Author and educator focused on Epicurus and happiness
Big Think; PhilosophyMinis channel
Episode: #154 Happiness: Epicurus' Ancient Guide - Jonny Thomson
Nate Soares
AI safety researcher and co-author of If Anyone Builds It, Everybody Dies
Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI)
Episode: #153 If Anyone Builds It, EVERYONE Dies - AI Expert on Superintelligence
Anil Seth
Professor of Neuroscience, author
University of Sussex
Episode: #152 Why AI Will Never Be Conscious
Galen Strawson
Philosopher specializing in mind and consciousness
Episode: #150 Materialist AND Panpsychism are True - Galen Strawson
Philip Pullman
Author of His Dark Materials
Author
Episode: #149 My Problem With C.S. Lewis - Philip Pullman
Thomas Metzinger
Philosopher of mind, author of The Elephant and the Blind and The Ego Tunnel
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Episode: #147 What is PURE Consciousness? - Thomas Metzinger
Matthew Cobb
Author and historian of science, focuses on brain history
University/author of The Idea of the Brain
Episode: #146 The Most Complicated Thing in the Universe: What is the Brain?
Aleks O'Connor
Etymologist and cultural critic
Algospeak author; The Etymology Nerd
Episode: #145 The Algorithm is God Now - The Etymology Nerd

Host

Alex O'Connor
Host of Within Reason; he engages with a variety of philosophical topics and guests, bringing a thoughtful approach to complex discussions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 8.3k ratings
  • Provocative in a good way

    I’ve been searching for a podcast that is balanced and not as dogmatic as so many I’ve come across. Admittedly it tests my understanding and at times is uncomfortable. However I always come away with a better perspective from which to form an opinion or at least continue to research. To the extent that Alex gives respect to his guests and is so diverse in his knowledge is the very reason I listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zepmag
    United States7 days ago
  • Pyschism

    The interview with Galen Strawson was absolutely fascinating. I personally don’t think that a scientific or philosophical mind should ever ‘believe’ in any ‘ism’ because that closes our minds but right now I find panpsychism/psychism fully compelling. I wrote a sci fi trilogy that culminated with two AI robots tasked with answering the big questions and, although I hadn’t then heard of panpsychism, it was at the core of their conclusion. Really insightful, thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Guernsey Pete
    United Kingdom18 days ago
  • John Lennox

    I enjoyed hearing his views. It would be interesting to listen to a thought experiment. Given what we understand about the human experience, allowing that we don’t know everything, imagine that god does not exist. Imagine that humans created god and religion. What are the kinds of ideas, hopes, and fears etc represented in god and religions? How do humans represent themselves in the gods and religions of their own creation?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    #*#^#+
    United Statesa month ago
  • Amazing

    Amazing, thought-provoking podcast that refreshes my memory of Philosophy. I like how Alex plays devils advocate but always remains calm, whether he is challenging beliefs or having his beliefs challenged.

    It’s also nice how Alex has a balanced perspective and will give some credence to theories he disagrees with.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MiamiTiesto
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • I have followed Alex since his earliest posts and enjoyed Alex's insights (even his takes on veganism, despite disagreeing) up until a few months ago. His calm analytical personality seems to have suddenly shifted into one wherein he simply invites people onto his show with poorly researched or flat out incorrect information and he just nods along as they spout nonsense. It is not lost on me that this shift has coincided with him seemingly taking on larger, better paying sponsors.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    ScoopisBoopis
    2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful engagement and depth of discussion, often commending the host's calm and rounded approach.
The podcast is viewed as an exceptional resource for those seeking reasoned discourse on philosophical issues, even amidst critique of its ad insertions.
Some express concern regarding the host's interruptive style, noting it detracts from guest contributions.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#155 AI Music is Not Music - Adam Neely
Q: What would you want from Suno or similar companies to move toward a more constructive use of AI in music?
I would push for more ethical practices, compensation for musicians, and a focus on craft-based development that teaches music fundamentals and supports collaboration rather than simply churning out quickly generated products.
#155 AI Music is Not Music - Adam Neely
Q: Do you think AI can ever fully replace the human element in music?
No, AI cannot capture the back-and-forth, communal, and emotionally resonant aspects of music that come from human collaboration, craft, and shared experiences; at best AI serves as a tool, not a replacement for artistry.
#155 AI Music is Not Music - Adam Neely
Q: What is your core ethical concern about how Suno trains its AI models?
The core concern is that training on essentially every available audio file without consent exploits artists' work and could replace their recordings, which feels unethical and threatens the craft and the broader musical ecosystem.
#154 Happiness: Epicurus' Ancient Guide - Jonny Thomson
Q: Do Epicureans think about virtue and moral duties as ends in themselves, or as tools to achieve happiness?
Virtue is instrumentally valuable for happiness in Epicureanism; justice and moral norms arise within social contracts and serve to protect personal and communal peace, not as ends to be pursued for virtue's own sake.
#154 Happiness: Epicurus' Ancient Guide - Jonny Thomson
Q: How does Epicureanism differ from utilitarianism, given the emphasis on personal pleasure versus the greater good?
The guest argues that Epicureanism centers on the individual's pleasure and pain, prioritizing one's local social circle and direct experiences, whereas utilitarianism aims to maximize overall utility, often extending moral concern globally. This makes Epicureanism more local and personal.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Within Reason

What is Within Reason about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This philosophy podcast offers a space for exploring complex and profound questions that often intersect with various disciplines. Episodes frequently engage with topics related to religion, consciousness, ethics, and the nature of reality, showcasing conversations enriched by diverse perspectives from notable guests. The discussions encourage listeners to reflect critically on their own beliefs and the ideas presented, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of philosophical inquiries alongside contemporary issues. The format is noteworthy for its open-minded approach, inviting rigorous debate while maintaining a respectful and thoughtful dialogue.

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How many listeners does Within Reason get?

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What are the audience demographics for Within Reason?

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How many subscribers and views does Within Reason have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Within Reason has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Within Reason are there?

Within Reason launched 7 years ago and published 151 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Within Reason?

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What guests have appeared on Within Reason?

Recent guests on Within Reason include:

1. Adam Neely
2. Jonny Thomson
3. Nate Soares
4. Anil Seth
5. Galen Strawson
6. Philip Pullman
7. Thomas Metzinger
8. Matthew Cobb

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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