Episode #177: Dr. Todd May

In Episode #177, philosopher Todd May joins Osi to discuss his thought-provoking book Should We Go Extinct?: A Philosophical Dilemma for Our Unbearable Times. Together, they grapple with the profound question, "Should humanity face extinction?" and examine the far-reaching implications of this dilemma. The conversation delves into the immense suffering humans inflict on nature and the non-human world, questioning whether the harm caused can be justified in light of humanity's merits and achievements. Todd May is a philosopher and the author of eighteen books, including Should We Go Extinct?: A Philosophical Dilemma for Our Unbearable Times. As one of the original contributors to The Stone, the New York Times philosophy blog, May has written extensively on topics such as meaningfulness in life, friendship, nonviolence, death, and human fragility. May served as the philosophical advisor for the television sitcom The Good Place and also advised showrunner Mike Schur on his book How to Be Perfect. Currently, he is a professor at Warren Wilson College. Available for speaking engagements at universities and public venues, May offers expertise in ethics, political philosophy, and meaningfulness in life, with most talks conducted online due to the climate crisis.