I have been listening to this podcast loyally for over ten years because each episode is provocative and presents enlightening ways of thinking about deep questions. The wide range of philosophical topics are well represented. The most recent episode on moral heroes with Elizabeth Harman seemed unpromising at first, but left me thinking critically about the choices I, my family, and my friends make in our dealings with others. Like many episodes, the short quarter-hour episode gave me tools to think. I especially like the way David and Nigel eschew chit-chat and dive right in to the meat of the episode. This shows a respect for listeners’ time, which I greatly appreciate. I like this style so much that in 2020 I modeled my own podcast Geology Bites on it. I hope they don’t get bored with it even though they have notched up a staggering 375 episodes.

The latest series on the lives of the philosophers is spot on. Almost makes me want to resurrect my old plan to go for the PhD in Philosophy!

Strange that you would platform this guy right after he was suspended from The Atlantic due to a rape allegation.

I generally enjoy longer format podcasts but it’s great to have the option to hear about topics in shorter discussions. The hosts ask good questions and let the guests do most of the speaking. They also lend intelligent and informed perspectives.

Fantastic range of topics discussed with compelling philosophers. The questions posed throughout the interviews take this show to the next level. The interviewee is neither harassed nor given an easy way out. Perfect show length with no meaningless fluff. Very well done, indeed!

I would love for Nigel to interview Bishop Barron. I would be glued entirely to this interview. Let’s not forget that the most outstanding philosophers (Plato, Aquinas, etc.) influence Bishop Barron.

It looked interesting but I made a bad choice for first podcast episode, Elizabeth Anderson re why we aren’t talking to each other. The gist of it was that republicans are white, narrow minded, religious and authoritarian because they hail from farms. Liberals are open minded and wonderful. Gosh Elizabeth, I expect more from a so called philosopher.

An excellent podcast, always very interesting.

Read their books, get all their Podcasts on your Feed. These guys are as up to date with where the field of Philosophy is going and have spectacular guests and nice tidy short and to the point discussions. This is a must have Philosophy Podcast if you care about modern philosophy.

Well done as a conversation among philosophers and certain people of that kind of interest. Perhaps you are forgetting what a large percentage of the world population thinks, namely Christians, Muslims, Jews and other faith oriented people think and believe. Your discussion was as they didn’t exist. Dan Koenig

"slim"

The best thing about this show is when the philosophers present opposing views in the interest of philosophical analysis, without getting upset. However, all such opposing views are absent when the topic of religion (all too frequent) or mainstream liberal ideals come up. So “optimism only makes sense if you believe in god who can make good on all the evil in the world…. so believing in god is the pragmatic way to justify optimism”. How can the speaker get away with such a logically flawed argument without a hint of an argument from Warburton? The next episode presents Pascal’s Wager, which basically says that believing in god is simply a rational decision. The speaker proclaims Pascal as a genius who has endless contributions to philosophy and Warburton doesn’t utter a word about the logical fallacy in Pascal’s statements. Religion pervades every aspect of society. It does not need philosophy to help it out. Philosophy is the only tool we have to formalize rational arguments, and here we are trying to rationalize faith. The sophists taught us to argue both sides of every argument. Nigel Warburton falls short on the topics where this is needed the most.

I enjoy these bite-sized episodes which (for me) serve as an intro to Western philosophers who I have heard about. In the episode on Schopenhauer, however, the glancing reference to Indian “classical” or as I would put it, ancient texts deserves more in-depth analysis and an episode of its own. Schopenhauer did more than “borrow” from ancient Indian texts; these works seem formed the basis of some of his philosophy. Too often eastern texts are used merely as references. There must be an acknowledgment of their profound influence on western thought and literature and even popular culture -from Schopenhauer to Star Trek to The Matrix -what is now known as Hinduism is behind all of these.

This is an excellent podcast, but it has its shortcomings. One is that it is a forum for left-of-center academics and thinkers. The absence of diversity is conspicuous!

I wholeheartedly recommend this podcast. I am a creative, discerning individual who plans to donate $ to back up this claim. These are the types of conversation that I luckily have with my husband on a regular basis. They provide a refreshing instillation of intelligence which are so needed in modern times. I hope Philosophy Bites has staying power beyond the lifetimes of it hosts. And if it doesn’t it provides an everlasting presence for this soothing insightful inquisitive interviewer. Thank you!!! All my gratitude. Paula Acheson in Kansas City

Nigel Warburton does such a wonderful job of making even quite esoteric ideas very accessible. I love the way he asks questions that help unravel his guests’ arguments.

This site is almost always a great place to start for anyone looking to delve into different aspects of philosophy.

The hosts do a good job of providing material that you can consider days after listening to the podcast. The topics don’t always match my interests but I look forward to the next installment.

Maybe don’t invite a transphobe to speak on the issue. Maybe, maybe if you’re going to have a discussion about the trans community bring in a member of the trans community. This episode trots out much of the tired, fear-filled and hateful rhetoric without challenging any of it. Simple. Dumb. Boring.

Can get a bit arcane at times, for those without much formal training in philosophy, but extremely interesting podcast full of fresh takes on classical perspectives.

In an age of intellectual confusion, these gems are a real treasure.

Nigel and David’s podcast may very well be the best podcast I’ve ever listened. They always bring interesting guests to talk about the whole spectrum of philosophical subjects. I have learned A LOT with them. Kudos!

Nigel and David have been quietly plugging away at what I consider one of the finest examples of the potential of podcasting. They are exquisite interviewers, and deserve the world for their devotion over the years to this exceptional labor of love. Thank you for making this, and thank you for continuing to advance human understanding.

This is the best podcast on philosophy I’ve listened to. It presents complex topics in discussions with experts but in a tone and method that is accessible to the non-philosopher.

It is so much fun to browse through this podcast and find 15 minute discussions on the topics of my interest. Really delightful.

I listened to the too much Democracy diatribe. The basic assertion was that as a democratic society, we tended to associate with others based on our democratic heritage. What a bunch of rubbish... it’s akin to the assertion that we can spend to much time with our families and our friends. The authors have a diversity model in mind... moreover, the authors assert that diverse groups tend to congregate into groups (segregation). The idea that similar groups cannot work together unless they live together. This theory is as inadequate and unfounded that people cannot work together in a complex organization unless they live in the same housing complex... This is a very primitive idea. With the implicit assumption that people cannot use there belief systems and ethics to rule their emotions. The worst idea is that we are better at Democracy if we do things that ignore Democracy.... In some ways this is akin to a sports team working together in a non-sports manner to improve their sports team. The underlying premise is that too much Democracy will tend to make all things political... but only if the people that are participating have no maturity.

Yes.

One of my favorite philosophy podcasts out there. The guest philosophers are often the best in their field and Blackburn and Warburton’s questions are always Laser focused. It’s amazing how much you can learn in a short interview. Love them!

Amazing how they talk about the most difficult topics in a very simple way so that most people could follow.

Very informative with nice pacing that allows novices to pickup these heavy topics. I would like more religion or worldview (eg: stoicism) episodes as those are the most applicable and interesting to me.

Love the interviews!

The episodes are short and sweet, with no fluff, and they feature leading thinkers. Aside from the quality of the interviewees, the best thing about this podcast is the interviewers: they ask insightful questions, press for clarification when necessary, and never interrupt. The catalogue of past episodes is a treasure trove. Thank you for the wonderful podcast, Philosophy Bites team!

Let's face it, some podcasts can be dry. Also, philosophy can be dry. But I find this podcast both incredibly informative and incredibly entertaining. Great work!!!!

I appreciate the useful and pointed questions. If there's filler in any arguments, there's none to be found in editing. Agree with the British bias, but provides a great number and range of topics otherwise.

I love this podcast. However, most of the speakers only talk about their subjects on a surface level. Although, you could say that's necessary for audiences new to philosophical studies.

I have been listening to this podcast for years and it is always helpful in my never ending search for meaning.

Great guests being asked precisely the right questions. I have spent hundreds of hours listening to dozens of podcasts. (Health issues keep me largely bedbound.) Of all the podcasts I listen to, my favorites are the following: Amicus (Slate) Past Present Philosophy Bites Pod Save America (Crooked Media) Political Gabfest (Slate) Trumpcast (Slate) The Weeds (Vox) You Must Remember This

This podcast lost me after the first episode on the Plato's Allegory of the Cave. The guest, although a professor, made crude extractions, and missed the point Plato was making by a mile. The beautiful message that was intended in the Allegory was an explanation of the Forms which wasn't even mentioned. The guest professor was off point completely. Studying Plato for many years, I was appalled to hear what he had to say. Do yourself a favor and read up on it for yourself.

Great content, and with plenty of variety. It’s also not too hard to follow for novices.

A favorite. Thoughtful and logical.

Interesting conversations with famous philosophers.

Fun, enlightening, interesting, and pleasantly brief.

Each episode consists of a conversation with a philosopher about a particular philosophical question that he or she is interested in. The discussion is substantive, intelligent, accessible, information dense, and stays on topic. My favorite podcast. Highly recommended.

I am a long-time listener and fan of this podcast. I find the topics to be very engaging and love immersing my mind in them. The episode with Huw Price on Backward Causation is my favorite. Keep up the great work. If you listen, help support!

They are extremely biased toward certain views, and don't even that opposing view points exist. I don't expect them to debate the guest since that isn't the point of the podcast, but they could interview someone with another view on the matter the next episode.

Usually dry, yet, enjoyable conversations on philosophy in the modern world with subject matter experts. Helping to keep lives and the world examined more thoroughly.

The best philosophy podcast Very important information.. Short podcasts!

Good Show

Entertaining and educational

Great podcast with interesting topics and great guests.