logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
28m 9s

How I changed my mind about truth | Simo...

Iai
About this episode

Can we have objective morality without metaphysics?

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes

Join Simon Blackburn, renowned philosopher at Cambridge University, as he discusses navigating heated moral discussions, the play of perspective on moral dilemmas, and his notable disagreements with Richard Rorty. From understanding contentious topics to gaining insights into meta-ethics, Blackburn takes us on an enlightening journey into the depths of truth and its implications in the modern world.

Simon Blackburn is an academic philosopher known for his work on meta-ethics and his attempts to popularise philosophy to a wider audience. He has published over a dozen books on various philosophical issues both for public and academic audiences, and has appeared on shows such as Radio 4's The Moral Maze and PBS's Closer to Truth. He is known for proposing a meta-ethical view called 'quasi-realism' which proposes that ethical statements are projections of emotional attitudes as if they were real features of the world. His latest book, On Truth (2018), examines various philosophical approaches to the concept of truth, in order to interrogate what it is, how we should think about it, and why it matters.

There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=how-i-changed-my-mind-about-truth-simon-blackburn

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Nov 12
Mazes of the mind: The philosophy of neuroscience | Iain McGilchrist, Colin Blakemore, Bryan Appleyard
Over the past decades, neuroscience has blossomed, positioning itself as a kind of master discipline over everything else. For who understands the brain surely understands all of human activity and creation? Or not?Neuroscience's reach has extended past its scientific remit and i ... Show More
47m 58s
Nov 6
In search of nothing | David Deutsch, Amanda Gefter, Lee Smolin
What is nothing? Can it be defined, either philosophically or scientifically? Or will the exploration of nothing bring, ultimately, to nothing?The philosophical exploration of nothingness is an ancient one, from the mysterious number zero through theological understandings of the ... Show More
1 h
Oct 31
Halloween SPECIAL | The philosophy of the apocalypse
Why are we fascinated by apocalyptic stories?Join the team at the IAI for a reading of four Halloween-themed articles, written by historian and philosopher Natalie Lawrence, professor of political philosophy Matthew Festenstein, and professor of comparative literature Florian Mus ... Show More
44m 25s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2025
#114 Simon Blackburn - What is Ethical Emotivism?
<p>Simon Blackburn is well-known both as a writer of popular philosophy introductions (like <a href="https://amzn.to/4mg7kF5"><em>Think</em></a>), and also a significant figure in non-cognitivist meta-ethics, having invented the term “quasi-realism” to describe his moral philosop ... Show More
1h 21m
Aug 22
Most Replayed Moment: Alain de Botton - Individualism Is Making Us Miserable!
Alain de Botton is a philosopher, author, and the founder of The School of Life. He is known for his insights into the intersection of philosophy, love, and the modern world, often exploring how societal structures impact mental well-being. In today’s Moments episode, Alain explo ... Show More
19m 13s
Apr 2018
Episode 36, The Daniel Dennett Interview (Part I - Philosophy of Religion)
<p>Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/panpsycast.</p> <p>Everything you could need, including links to all of Daniel C. Dennett's work, can be found at www.thepanpsycast.com! Please tweet us your thoughts at www.twitter.com/thepanpsycast.</p> <p>In the words of A. C. Grayling ... Show More
1h 11m
Jan 2022
Episode 103, 'Nudges' with Thomas Schramme (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)
<p class=""><strong>Introduction</strong></p> <p class="">Given the choice, who wouldn't increase the balance in their bank account, switch into a fit and healthy body, find themselves in a meaningful career, and cultivate happiness and love in their relationships? These are pref ... Show More
48m 11s
Apr 2018
Episode 36, The Daniel Dennett Interview (Part II - Philosophy of Mind)
<p>Our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/panpsycast.</p> <p>Everything you could need, including links to all of Daniel C. Dennett's work, can be found at www.thepanpsycast.com! Please tweet us your thoughts at www.twitter.com/thepanpsycast.</p> <p>In the words of A. C. Grayling, Pro ... Show More
45m 41s
Jan 2022
Episode 103, 'Nudges' with Thomas Schramme (Part I - Public Health)
<p class=""><strong>Introduction</strong></p> <p class="">Given the choice, who wouldn't increase the balance in their bank account, switch into a fit and healthy body, find themselves in a meaningful career, and cultivate happiness and love in their relationships? These are pref ... Show More
44m 32s
Nov 2019
Episode 68, The Abigail Thorn Interview (Part I - Behind Philosophy Tube)
<p class="">Abigail Thorn is an actor and educator, best known as the creator and host of the popular YouTube channel <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2PA-AKmVpU6NKCGtZq_rKQ">Philosophy Tube</a>. Boasting around half a million subscribers, Abigail's channel is notoriou ... Show More
38m 20s
Feb 2025
Philosophy Series: Stoicism for Revolutionaries
<p>Breht listens to, reflects on, and critically engages with a public lecture by the late philosopher Michael Sugrue titled <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auuk1y4DRgk&ab_channel=MichaelSugrue"> Marcus Aurelius' Meditations: The Stoic Ideal</a>. He discusses the philos ... Show More
2h 2m
Nov 2019
Episode 68, The Abigail Thorn Interview (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)
<p class="">Abigail Thorn is an actor and educator, best known as the creator and host of the popular YouTube channel <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2PA-AKmVpU6NKCGtZq_rKQ">Philosophy Tube</a>. Boasting around half a million subscribers, Abigail's channel is notoriou ... Show More
41m 59s
Sep 16
#121 John Cottingham - The Father of Modern Philosophy: René Descartes
John Cottingham (born 1943) is an English philosopher. The focus of his research has been early-modern philosophy (especially Descartes), the philosophy of religion and moral philosophy. He is a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Reading, Professorial Research ... Show More
1h 40m