Working Definition

In this episode, Teresa Bejan and I discuss equality. We talk about whether equality is one thing or many, the difference between distributive and relational notions of equality, what it means to be one another’s equals, the lasting influence of Roman law, whether equality pertains to relations between humans and animals, the idea of the Levellers as the original egalitarians, and more! In short, we do some philosophy! I hope you enjoy it...  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit endsdontjustifythemeans.com

In this episode, Ben Brophy and I discuss forgiveness. We talk about what counts as an act of forgiveness, about the part played by the person who's being forgiven, about whether forgiveness is a matter of justice or charity, about its relation to nearby concepts like grace and mercy and forbearance, about the role religion might have played in shaping its ordinary usage, and more. In short, we do some philosophy! I hope you enjoy it...  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit endsdontjustifythemeans.com

In the seventh episode of Working Definition, Rebecca Lowe’s philosophy podcast, she speaks with John Tasioulas about rights. They talk about the special relation between rights and perfect obligations, the difference between rights and preferences, what it means to ground a right, whether rights can conflict, whether natural rights are the same thing as human rights, whether liberalism and democracy are dependent on rights, and more. In short, they do some philosophy!  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit endsdontjustifythemeans.com

In this episode, Henry Oliver and I discuss happiness. We talk about what it is to be happy, what makes people happy, the problem of being made happy about bad things, and more. In short, we do some philosophy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit endsdontjustifythemeans.com

In this episode, Michael Ignatieff and I discuss liberalism. We talk about what it is to be a liberal, the kinds of institutions that are central to liberalism, what it’s like to do politics as someone with a liberal disposition, what liberals should do when they find themselves in illiberal places, and more. In short, we do some philosophy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit endsdontjustifythemeans.com

In this episode, Oliver Traldi and I discuss politics. We talk about why it’s such a hard word to define, the competing and complementary ways people use it, and its significance within the history of political philosophy and the world of political action. In short, we do some philosophy! I hope you enjoy it...  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit endsdontjustifythemeans.com

In this episode, Ignacio Cofone and I discuss privacy. We talk  about what it is, why it matters, when it matters, how it should be protected legally. In short, we do some philosophy! I hope you enjoy it.. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit endsdontjustifythemeans.com

In this episode, Tyler Cowen and I discuss freedom. We talk about how people talk about freedom, whether you can define freedom, freedom's relation to other concepts, the relevance of free will and consciousness, what it might mean for a country to be free, and much more. In short, we do some philosophy! I hope you enjoy it.. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit endsdontjustifythemeans.com

In this episode, Josh Ober and I discuss democracy. We talk about what it is, why it is what it is, what it needs, what it gives us, why it matters, how it differs from other things like it, what it asks of you, and where you might find it. In short, we do some philosophy! I hope you enjoy it.. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit endsdontjustifythemeans.com

In this episode, Tom Hoenig and I discuss transparency. He talks about experiences from his career when transparency has been a driving practical concern. We think about conditions for, constraints on, relations to, and the value of transparency. In short, we do some philosophy! I hope you enjoy it.. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit endsdontjustifythemeans.com