Reading Our Times

Reading Our Times

What makes a philosophical mind? In conversation with Dan Dennett

Download it: MP3 | AAC | OGG | OPUS

For over 50 years now, Dan Dennett has written highly-praised, thoughtfully and provocatively on major philosophical issues.

His ideas about consciousness, evolution, freedom - and, of course, theism - have provoked wonder and anger.

In this week's episode, Nick Spencer speaks to Dan Dennett, about philosophy, Darwinism, naturalism and theism.

When is the next big crash? In conversation with Linda Yueh

Download it: MP3 | AAC | OGG | OPUS

The age of boom and bust is over - we were told, shortly before the great crash of 2008-09. Such confidence is clearly ill-advised. Economies boom and economies bust - and there doesn't seem much we can do about it.

Or is there? How can you spot a crash coming? What should you do about it when it descends on us? And how can we respond so that, even if we can't banish them forever, we can limit their frequency and impact?

In this week's episode, Nick Spencer speaks to Linda Yueh about her book The Great Crashes: Lessons from Global Meltdowns and How to Prevent Them.

What is a mind? In conversation with Philip Ball

Download it: MP3 | AAC | OGG | OPUS

You have a mind, right? At least, that's what you and those who know you will think. But would you say the same of your pet? What about creatures like dolphins or octopus? Aliens (assuming they exist)? Robots and AI? God?

What does it mean to 'have a mind'? Are all minds the same? Why should such a costly thing appear in evolution? And if we understand our minds, does that mean we have finally understood ourselves?

In this week's episode, Nick Spencer speaks to science writer Philip Ball about his book The Book of Minds: Understanding Ourselves and Other Beings, From Animals to Aliens.

What do we even mean by 'God'? In conversation with David Bentley Hart

Download it: MP3 | AAC | OGG | OPUS

Everyone - even those who utter it with contempt - uses the word 'God'. But we don't all use it in the same way. Indeed, you could argue that we talk past each other more often when we talk about God than when we talk about any other topic.

So what do we mean when we talk about God? What does the word even mean? Is the God of the philosophers the same as the God of the religious? Or indeed the God of the atheists?

In this week's episode, Nick Spencer speaks to philosopher and theologian David Bentley Hart about his book 'The Experience of God: Being, Consciousness, Bliss'

Why are Pentecostals taking over the world? In conversation with Elle Hardy

Download it: MP3 | AAC | OGG | OPUS

Pentecostalism is the fastest growing religious movement in history, with nearly 600 million Pentecostals worldwide. How did the movement originate? What does it involve? And how will it change Christianity, society and politics in the 21st century?

Nick Spencer talks to journalist and author Elle Hardy about her book Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity Is Taking Over the World

How much does Britain cost? In conversation with Paul Johnson

Download it: MP3 | AAC | OGG | OPUS

We raise over a trillion every year in tax, and spent a hundred billion more than that. But where do we get it from? Where do we spend it? And is it used fairly, efficiently and wisely?

Nick Spencer talks to Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Paul Johnson, about his book Follow the Money: How much does Britain cost?

What are the risks of going green? In conversation with Henry Sanderson

Download it: MP3 | AAC | OGG | OPUS

We need to decarbonise, and fast. But 'going green' is not straightforward, not only practically but ethically. There is great potential there, but also huge risks. What are they? Who will win? And who might lose?

Nick Spencer talks to journalist and author Henry Sanderson about his book Voltrush: The Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green

What's happening to journalism? In conversation with Alan Rusbridger

Download it: MP3 | AAC | OGG | OPUS

Journalism is bit like politics. As a rule, we say we don’t really trust either profession, and neither seems to be in particularly good health at the moment. But we definitely can’t live without them.

Nick Spencer talks to former editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, about his book Breaking News: the remaking of journalism and why it matters now

Can science make sense of life? In conversation with Prof. Sheila Jasanoff

Download it: MP3 | AAC | OGG | OPUS

The ability to manipulate genetic material has never been greater, and is increasing all the time. With it comes the claim that genetics can makes sense of life - controlling, directing, shaping who we are? Can it?

Nick Spencer talks to Prof. Sheila Jasanoff about her book Can science make sense of life?

What is the future of money? In conversation with Eswar Prasad

Download it: MP3 | AAC | OGG | OPUS

Money is changing – and its changing fast and in a way that many of us find bewildering. Is cash on its way out? What is fintech? What actually is a cryptocurrency, or stablecoin, or a CBDC? Are they the future?

Nick Spencer talks to Prof. Eswar Prasad about his book The Future of Money: How the Digital Revolution is Transforming Currencies and Finance

About this podcast

Reading Our Times is the podcast that explores the books and the ideas that are shaping us today. It is hosted by Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at the think tank, Theos.

We’re going to be talking to some of the world’s leading authors about issues like meritocracy, justice, populism, human rights, the brain, liberalism, and religion.

Above all, we'll be exploring what these books have to say about the times we live in and about the people we are.

So listen with us, and we’ll introduce you to authors, books and ideas that illuminate ourselves and our world today.

For more information about the people and ideas behind the podcast, visit https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/who-we-are or follow us on Twitter @theosthinktank and @theosnick.

by Theos Think Tank

Subscribe

Follow us