The most interesting ideas from ethics and political theory. Where every episode contains a surprise.
Surprising Ethics is an accessible philosophy podcast exploring the striking ways in which philosophers are trying to upend received wisdom about politics and how to live ethically. In the battle between the status quo and surprising alternatives, which will win out?
By Dr William Gildea, McGill University and Centre for Research in Ethics. Artwork by Ana Otelea.
Feeling the pinch: A philosophy of breathing space, w. Dr Adam Piovarchy
Too many things, not enough time. The pressure can feel relentless. In response, should we maximise productivity and hope to feel better? Maybe not. Maybe we need breathing room: to avoid burnout, weather storms, and reduce the risks that being alive brings. But how can we strike the right trade-off between using our energy, time and money and preserving them? For this we might need new tools. Enter Dr Adam Piovarchy, whose brand new research (co-authored with Zvi Mowshowitz and Scott Siskind...
1 Oct 2026
The philosophy of breakups: are breakups good? w. Dr Justin Clardy and Idil Çakmur
Are breakups actually *good*? Do they unlock striving, freedom, and authenticity? Or is anchoring and commitment the ideal path? Is the trend towards non-committal, undefined 'situationships' bad or good, and why? And how should we break up? Should partners have a “clean break”, or do they actually have special duties to each other even after a breakup? And can the act of breaking up with someone ever be morally problematic? Tune in as your host Will chats to two philosophers of love and brea...
1 Jul 2026
Sex, dating, and discrimination. w. Dr Simone Degn and Dr Søren Midtgaard
Being straight: a fair sexual preference or discrimination? What about not wanting to date people of certain races? Or screening dates based on height? What counts as discrimination in dating, and what is simply following your preferences? Two leading philosophers of dating have a new take. We discuss freedom of association, fetishisation, dating apps, looks-based discrimination (or “lookism”), and more. Warning: explicit language. Send in voice notes for the listener special based...
1 Jun 2026
Activism for good causes: often morally wrong? w. Tobias Leenaert
Are activists who fight for a good cause with a bad strategy on the hook morally? The episode begins with a striking thought experiment which suggests the answer may be ‘yes’. The episode also asks: Are hard-line approaches to activism ineffective? What can the case study of extreme vegan activism tell us? And what are some principles for a successful activism? This episode includes an interview with the strategist Tobias Leenaert, a writer on activist strategies and founder of a global...
1 May 2026
What Counts as a War of Self-Defence? Iran & Beyond w. Prof David Rodin
What actually counts as self-defence when waging war? The 21st century has seen a pivot towards ‘preventive wars’: wars fought in anticipation of a possible future attack. The war in Iran is the latest example. What can philosophy tell us about these wars? My conversation with Prof David Rodin, a world-leading ethicist of war, covers these questions and other topics, including the Israel-Palestine conflict; the "conspiracy paradox"; nuclear threats; the moral duty to spy; the psychology of th...
1 Apr 2026
Is the manosphere making men incapable of love? w. Patrick van Straaten
Research shows it’s love – not money or social status – that can soothe the suffering many men are feeling today. But is the manosphere taking this balm away from men? It encourages men to see women as stereotypes and as commodities. This could render them incapable of romantic love with a woman, according to many philosophers of love. And if we want to turn our backs on Andrew Tate and co, is there actually a healthier alternative form of masculinity to which men and boys can turn? I asked t...
1 Mar 2026
Votes for children? w. Dr Isa Trifan
Many countries are considering lowering the voting age. But right now it’s 18 nearly everywhere. Why? Why not 14, 12, or even 6? Don’t teenagers and kids have interests in having a voice? Adults may on average have more experience than teenagers, but then again some 15-year-olds may be politically wiser than some 50-year-olds. Check out the surprising case for a radical reduction in the voting age with a political philosopher who has a new take on the question. We also explore broader questio...
1 Feb 2026
What should parents feed their kids? Meat, or vegan? | w. Dr Fischer & Dr Fredericks
How do we craft a diet in the child’s best interests? That’s the question Rachel Fredericks and Jeremy Fischer set out to answer, leaving behind the usual arguments about climate and animals. These two ethicists combined philosophy, psychology and nutrition science and came up with an intriguing answer. Turns out, what makes a diet good for a kid is about so much more than just food. It’s about moral development, identity, ideology, and learning how to choose for yourself. We put this ideal d...
27 Dec 2025
Philosophy of New Year’s Resolutions
Are new year’s resolutions a golden opportunity for self-improvement, or do they reinforce a damaging ideology of work and “self-improvement”? And how can we best decide on a resolution? This episode explores two philosophical challenges to the way we set new year’s resolutions. First, Bertrand Russell claims we should free ourselves from pro-work ideology, and embrace idleness and leisure. If we step back from hyperproductivity, we might want to reject new year's resolutions. Second, Kieran ...
1 Dec 2025
Is envy sometimes a virtue? w. Prof Sara Protasi
Envy is seen as a deadly sin. But not by Professor Sara Protasi, who argues that envy is often good – even *virtuous*. Envy drives progress, she claims. Feeling envious is natural. And without it, we might never leave the couch. But how can such a destructive emotion be morally good? And even if envy makes us more productive in the short term, does it corrode our happiness in the long run? Our conversation covers self-improvement and productivity; self-esteem, radical self-acceptance, a...
1 Nov 2025
Do AIs have moral rights?
We normally think: how can we stop AI harming humans? We may also have to ask: how can we stop humans harming AI? After all, there’s a surprisingly strong case for the rights of future AIs. If future (or present!) AIs have rights, why? And what actual specific rights could some future ChatGPT assistant even have? Will AIs wake up, and become conscious or sentient? Or is digital consciousness just not ever possible? Given the risks, should we stop AI development in its tracks to avoid creating...
1 Oct 2025
Should the state ban smoking, restrict calories, and stop us harming ourselves? | Prof Sarah Conly on paternalism
We think of ourselves as rational agents, able to choose well for ourselves. Professor Sarah Conly calls this into question. She argues that we’re reliably bad at making certain decisions. So much so that governments should step in, and make many bad choices like smoking illegal – for our own good. But where does she draw the line? Aren't some decisions sacrosanct? What is the true value of freedom? Is paternalism insulting, or could it be the answer to societal crises? Tune in to hear Conly’...
1 Sept 2025
Is monogamy morally wrong?
Some philosophers now argue that monogamy is morally wrong. Imagine your friend came and told you that you can’t have any other friendships. You’d be bemused. But what’s the difference between this and exclusivity in love relationships? Is jealousy a good reason to be monogamous? Or is ethical non-monogamy – such as open relationships or polyamory – the only ethical approach? Give your feedback! https://tinyurl.com/feedbackformSurprisingEthics Podcast website for contact details and more: sur...
1 Sept 2025
Do human rights imply animal rights?
Society assumes that animals do not have moral rights. But what could this be based on? How could we argue that humans are the only animals to have rights? And where do we draw the line? These questions about animal ethics also raise the question: why does each of us human beings, ultimately, matter as an individual? Give your feedback! https://tinyurl.com/feedbackformSurprisingEthics Podcast website for contact details and more: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com Instagram: @surprising_ethics_p...
1 Sept 2025
Is pleasure all that matters in life?
Hedonists claim that pleasure is all that makes for a good life. Are they right that relationships, achievements, and meaningfulness have no intrinsic value? We explore the surprising arguments on both sides of this debate about wellbeing, including a version of Nozick’s infamous experience machine thought experiment. Would you plug into an experience simulator, forever cutting yourself off from the real world to have the best time of your life and all the 'happiness' you could want? ...
21 Aug 2025
Trailer
Philosophy, made accessible, intriguing, and surprising. Give your feedback! https://tinyurl.com/feedbackformSurprisingEthics Podcast website for contact details and more: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com Instagram: @surprising_ethics_podcast tinyurl.com/surprisingethics
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