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Newest Episode
Barry Lam: The Case for Discretion
Modern life runs on rules—some helpful, some… not so much. In this episode, Alex talks with philosopher Barry Lam (UC Riverside) about his new book Fewer Rules, Better People: The Case for Discretion. Lam makes a bold claim: sometimes fewer rules can actually make us better. With sharp insights and real-world stories, he walks us through why giving people more wiggle room might lead to fairer, more humane outcomes. But it’s not all freewheeling freedom—the conversation also digs into the risks of bias and the need for accountability when discretion takes the wheel.
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Special: The Future of the Ethics Bowl
As a special feature for this Spring, Alex Richardson sits down with the leadership of both the National High School Ethics Bowl and the APPE Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl for a detailed conversation about the activity’s nature and future.Rebecca Roache: The Ethics of Swearing
Our 2024-2025 season continues with a conversation with Rebecca Roache (Royal Holloway, University of London) on her new book, For F*ck's Sake: Why Swearing is Shocking, Rude, and Fun. Here, Roache examines the art, psychology, and moral implications of a good cursing out, ultimately concluding that it isn't the words themselves which are offensive, but what lies between the lines.
03.04.2025
Robert Talisse: Civic Solitude
Our 2024-2025 season continues with a conversation with Robert Talisse (Vanderbilt) on his new book, Civic Solitude: Why Democracy Needs Distance. Here, Talisse argues that democracy, in addition to its participatory elements, requires a kind of reflection and capacity building that is best achieved in solitude. He recommends that we rebuild and/or expand public spaces for such development as a potential antidote to some of our own democratic political ills.Jeff Sebo: The Moral Circle
Our 2024-2025 season continues with a conversation with Jeff Sebo (NYU) on his new book, The Moral Circle: Who Matters, What Matters, and Why. Here, Sebo argues that we should prepare to widen our circle of moral consideration to septillions more beings than we currently recognize as morally relevant, including animals of obvious and non-obvious species, as well as other kinds of beings like artificial intelligence agents as well.Special: Does Studying Philosophy Make Better..
Our 2024-2025 season continues with a special episode in conversation with Michael Vazquez (UNC) and Michael Prinzing (Baylor), co-authors of a first-of-its-kind new study on the development of intellectual virtues among philosophy students, and are working to apply their methodology to learners all across the lifespan.Krista Thomason: Can Negative Emotions Make L..
A brand-new season of Examining Ethics kicks off with new host Alex Richardson in conversation with Krista Thomason, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Swarthmore College, on her new book Dancing with the Devil: Why Bad Feelings Make Life Good.2024-2025 Season Announcement
Examining Ethics is back. Join new Host and Executive Producer, Alex Richardson for a brand new season of digging into tough ethical issues this November!Bias in Tech with Meredith Broussard
Meredith Broussard is a data journalist working in the field of algorithmic accountability. She writes about the ways in which race, gender and ability bias seep into the technology we use every day.Rumination and Wronging with Cat Saint-Croix
Philosopher Cat Saint-Croix joins the Examining Ethics podcast to discuss their work on the role that attention can play in thinking about epistemology.Myisha Cherry: Failures of Forgiveness
Myisha Cherry is on the show today to help us reframe our understanding of the complicated topic of forgiveness.Taking Offense with Emily McTernan
Philosopher Emily McTernan joins us on the show to defend the act of taking offense and showing disapproval.Roasting Ethics with Luvell Anderson
Philosopher Luvell Anderson joins us to explore the ethics of the comedic roast.Capitalist Humanitarianism with Lucia Hulseth..
Ethnographer and historian of religion Lucia Hulsether on the strange phenomenon she calls “capitalist humanitarianism.”Wildlife Recoveries with Christopher Preston
In an age when endangered species are dying out by the hundreds, philosopher Christopher Preston argues that there’s hope to be found in the stories of successful wildlife recoveries.How Much Should We Expect of Ourselves? with ..
How much should we expect from ourselves when it comes to fighting climate change? Explore the issue of demandingness with philosophers Kyle Fruh and Marcus Hedahl on today's episode of Examining Ethics.Motherhood and Ethics with Sarah LaChance Ada..
On this episode of Examining Ethics, we discuss the ambivalence of motherhood with philosopher Sarah LaChance Adams.Social Equality with Jessica Flanigan
Jessica Flanigan is a philosopher at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond. She argues that egalitarians might want to rethink their commitment to democracy.Climate Ethics with Manuel Wörsdörfer
On this episode of Examining Ethics, philosopher Manuel Wörsdörfer joins us to review some of the most pressing climate ethics issues we face today.Authenticity and Gender Norms with Rowan Bell
On today’s show, we explore the complicated relationship between gender, authenticity and ethics with philosopher Rowan Bell.Phenomenology of Black Spirit with Biko Mande..
We’re joined on the podcast today by Biko Mandela Gray and Ryan J. Johnson. Their new book puts major Black thinkers in conversation with Hegel.Predatory Grooming and Epistemology with Laur..
Philosopher Lauren Leydon-Hardy explores the ways that predatory grooming can interfere with the way that a person thinks about themselves and the world.Visit us.
HOURS (SUMMER 2025)
Monday-Thursday: 8AM-5PM
Friday: 8AM-12PM
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Monday-Sunday: Sunrise to Sunset