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Human Exceptionalism

by Wesley J. Smith, and Ancient Faith Ministries

Wesley J. Smith discusses the importance of - and various threats to - the unique dignity and importance of human life from the context of living in a secular society.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Feb 18, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. Will We REALLY Kill Alzheimer's Patients?

    Will the United States follow the lead of other countries who have put into law the most radical euthanasia policies?

  2. Will We REALLY Kill Alzheimer's Patients?

    Will the United States follow the lead of other countries who have put into law the most radical euthanasia policies?

  3. How the Media Promotes “Some” Suicides

    Should we be working to prevent all suicide, or should we support and encourage "some" suicides?

  4. How the Media Promotes “Some” Suicides

    Should we be working to prevent all suicide, or should we support and encourage "some" suicides?

  5. What If There Was Another Polio Epidemic?

    To what extent should efforts be made to work for the healing of those with significant illnesses, like polio, rather than letting them die with assistance?

  6. What If There Was Another Polio Epidemic?

    To what extent should efforts be made to work for the healing of those with significant illnesses, like polio, rather than letting them die with assistance?

  7. What's Love Got to do With Transhumanism?

    Wesley introduces the Transhumanists and then explains what is wrong with their desire to increase human intelligence.

  8. What's Love Got to do With Transhumanism?

    Wesley introduces the Transhumanists and then explains what is wrong with their desire to increase human intelligence.

  9. Whose Baby is Charlie Gard, Anyway?

    Who should decide what is best for a child, the parents or medical professionals and the state?

  10. Whose Baby is Charlie Gard, Anyway?

    Who should decide what is best for a child, the parents or medical professionals and the state?

  11. Three Culture of Death Tipping Points

    How did our society become so accepting of a culture of death - from Dr. Jack Kevorkian, Terri Schiavo, and Planned Parenthood?

  12. Three Culture of Death Tipping Points

    How did our society become so accepting of a culture of death - from Dr. Jack Kevorkian, Terri Schiavo, and Planned Parenthood?

  13. Rivers Declared to be “Persons”

    Should aspects of nature be given the same kind of rights as human beings?

  14. Rivers Declared to be “Persons”

    Should aspects of nature be given the same kind of rights as human beings?

  15. Pro-Lifers: Get Out of Medicine!

    Returning to the podcast after a personal break, Wesley ask, "Can doctors and other healthcare providers be forced to provide medical proceeds, like abortions, when it goes against their convictions?"

  16. Pro-Lifers: Get Out of Medicine!

    Returning to the podcast after a personal break, Wesley ask, "Can doctors and other healthcare providers be forced to provide medical proceeds, like abortions, when it goes against their convictions?"

  17. Assisted Suicide Right for the Institutionalized Mentally Ill

    Is euthanasia really the best way to alleviate the suffering of those dealing with serious mental illness?

  18. Assisted Suicide Right for the Institutionalized Mentally Ill

    Is euthanasia really the best way to alleviate the suffering of those dealing with serious mental illness?

  19. “Animal Rights” Would Ban Pets

    Should animals and humans have the same rights? How best should we care for animals in a humane way without confusing the value of the two?

  20. “Animal Rights” Would Ban Pets

    Should animals and humans have the same rights? How best should we care for animals in a humane way without confusing the value of the two?

  21. How Assisted Suicide Advocacy Hurts the Sick

    Wesley J. Smith shares the story of his friend, Robert Salamanca, who died peacefully with dignity of ALS.

  22. How Assisted Suicide Advocacy Hurts the Sick

    Wesley J. Smith shares the story of his friend, Robert Salamanca, who died peacefully with dignity of ALS.

  23. It's Time to Debate “Brave New World”

    Are we living in the "Brave New World" of Aldous Huxley?

  24. It's Time to Debate “Brave New World”

    Are we living in the "Brave New World" of Aldous Huxley?

  25. Religious Conscience Unwelcome in Healthcare

    Will healthcare providers who hold to the sanctity of human life be allowed work in the emerging secular society?

  26. Religious Conscience Unwelcome in Healthcare

    Will healthcare providers who hold to the sanctity of human life be allowed work in the emerging secular society?

  27. Even The Worst MDs Can Be Suicide Doctors

    Do "doctors of death" need any specialized training to diagnosis and prescribe lethal drugs to patients who want to die?

  28. Even The Worst MDs Can Be Suicide Doctors

    Do "doctors of death" need any specialized training to diagnosis and prescribe lethal drugs to patients who want to die?

  29. More Than in God's Image

    What is the best way to defend the exceptional nature of human beings?

  30. More Than in God's Image

    What is the best way to defend the exceptional nature of human beings?

  31. Words With the Power to Kill

    Do the words that we use to describe the various stages and conditions of human life really matter?

  32. Words With the Power to Kill

    Do the words that we use to describe the various stages and conditions of human life really matter?

  33. Redefining “Death” Would Unleash Great Evil

    Does it matter how "death" is defined, and who defines it?

  34. Redefining “Death” Would Unleash Great Evil

    Does it matter how "death" is defined, and who defines it?

  35. Even Materialists Crave Religion

    Is the desire for meaning and purpose exclusive to those who are religious, or do all human beings long for something more?

  36. Even Materialists Crave Religion

    Is the desire for meaning and purpose exclusive to those who are religious, or do all human beings long for something more?

  37. Scientists Promote Human UNexceptionalism

    Is human life exceptional when compared to the animal kingdom? Some scientists do not think so!

  38. Scientists Promote Human UNexceptionalism

    Is human life exceptional when compared to the animal kingdom? Some scientists do not think so!

  39. Euthanasia and Organ Harvesting

    Should a human life be ended just so we can harvest their organs for another person's use? It might be closer than you think!

  40. Euthanasia and Organ Harvesting

    Should a human life be ended just so we can harvest their organs for another person's use? It might be closer than you think!

  41. The Walking Dead

    Does it matter what happens to our bodies after we die? The Orthodox Christian faith says, "Yes!"

  42. “Remembrance of Death” Can Overcome “Death Obsession”

    Why is our culture obsessed with death, and how can remembrance of death help us to overcome it?

  43. Canada and the Right to Die

    Is the "right to die" more important than religious liberty?

  44. What Euthanasia Enthusiasts Really Want

    What do euthanasia enthusiasts really want? To eliminate suffering of any kind by eliminating the sufferer.

  45. Mainstreaming Animal Personhood

    Should animals have the same rights of "personhood" as humans?

  46. Why We Don't Get Along

    Wesley demonstrates how the West is increasingly incapable of engaging in true debate, achieving broadly agreeable consensuses or finding middle-ground compromises about the most important controversies that vex us.

  47. Environmental Protection, Yes. “Nature Rights,” No.

    The once ludicrous notion that ecological protection and fighting climate change require according legally enforceable human-style rights to nature is becoming more mainstream within the environmental movement. Wesley J. Smith examines the consequences.

  48. You Are NOT an Ape

    Even if we came about through purely materialistic and Darwinian means, it is self-evident that something happened to make us so remarkably distinct from every other known life form.

  49. Transhumanism

    Wesley discusses "transhumanism"—what is quickly becoming the world's newest religion, offering adherents the kind of hope once within the exclusive province of faith and without the humbling concept of an omnipotent God to whom one owes prayer and thanksgiving.

  50. Say No to Validated Suicide

    Supporting another's self-destruction is not a compassionate or morally neutral act.

Topics in this show

Click any topic to search every transcript on PodParley for moments someone mentioned it.

About this show

Wesley J. Smith discusses the importance of - and various threats to - the unique dignity and importance of human life from the context of living in a secular society.

Hosted by

Wesley J. Smith, and Ancient Faith Ministries

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does Human Exceptionalism have?

Human Exceptionalism has 50 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on October 6, 2017.

What is Human Exceptionalism about?

Wesley J. Smith discusses the importance of - and various threats to - the unique dignity and importance of human life from the context of living in a secular society.

How often does Human Exceptionalism release new episodes?

Human Exceptionalism publishes every two weeks, based on its 50 episodes since July 2015.

Who hosts Human Exceptionalism?

Human Exceptionalism is created and hosted by Wesley J. Smith, and Ancient Faith Ministries.
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