Nigel Warburton
13 April 2023
Everyday Philosophy: Slavery, guilt and restorative justice
The Guardian and the Church of England have confronted their historical links to the slave trade – but what about the monarchy?
Read the full article30 March 2023
Everyday Philosophy: What is pornography?
A teacher in Florida was forced to resign after parents complained that Michelangelo’s David statue is “pornographic”
Read the full article23 March 2023
Everyday Philosophy: The ethics of octopus farming
Critics argue that it is impossible, or at least impractical, to rear octopuses for food without causing them intense suffering
Read the full article16 March 2023
Everyday Philosophy: Free expression
Remembering the brave resistance of Germany’s White Rose movement and their fight for free expression
Read the full article09 March 2023
Everyday Philosophy: ChatGPT and the rise of the machines
The latest AI system has been hailed as a gamechanger in journalism, but will the bots have their day?
Read the full article02 March 2023
Everyday Philosophy: The importance of symbolic gestures
Why tranquil indifference is not the answer to the world's problems
Read the full article23 February 2023
Everyday Philosophy: Celebrating Arthur Schopenhauer
The European philosopher who wrote to be understood
Read the full article16 February 2023
Everyday Philosophy: Voltaire, God and evil
In today's world, God and evil are tough to explain. Can the works of Voltaire help?
Read the full article09 February 2023
Everyday philosophy: Understanding the ethics of Westminster
There's a deep inconsistency at the heart of the government's ethical code
Read the full article02 February 2023
Everyday Philosophy: The short-term fix that is bad for bees
An imminent bee-light future should be a cause for concern
Read the full article26 January 2023
Everyday Philosophy: Understanding consent
It's simple to understand consent and where it stops in cases like this
Read the full article19 January 2023
Everyday Philosophy: How to honour the dead
After his death, Charles Byrne’s friends let him down badly by ignoring his wishes. We should never emulate these actions
Read the full article12 January 2023
Everyday Philosophy: How to spot a fascist
Fascism is flourishing in many places beyond Brazil. If we don't learn to spot it, we might all find our heads under its boot
Read the full article05 January 2023
Everyday Philosophy: Pundits’ predictions aren’t guarantees
It's political forecasting season for pundits. But, this doesn't mean they will be accurate
Read the full article22 December 2022
Everyday Philosophy: How to think about Jesus
Even for atheists, some of what he preaches is worth considering as secular moral philosophy
Read the full article15 December 2022
Everyday Philosophy: We need to open our eyes
As Sherlock Holmes put it: we see, but we do not observe. This needs to change or we risk repeatedly confirming our prejudices
Read the full article08 December 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The philosopher’s take on capital punishment
Britain is a more civilised society without the death penalty. I hope this Orwellian humanitarianism prevails, but these are dark days
Read the full article01 December 2022
‘I am not an example. I am just a human with emotion’
Some have labelled Cantona an existentialist. Partly because he is French and partly as he defies conventions. But, is that warranted?
Read the full article24 November 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Why we need libraries
Libraries are vibrant places of hope, discovery and opportunity. They are in desperate need of funding and we cannot afford to let them perish
Read the full article17 November 2022
Everyday Philosophy: We can’t just “focus on the football”
The human cost of the World Cup has been far too high and it would be disrespectful to pretend otherwise
Read the full article10 November 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The point of self-reflection
It's hard to find meaning in today's world. Nonetheless, we should embrace it, in all its absurdity
Read the full article03 November 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Elon Musk, the ‘free speech absolutist’
It seems, however, that Musk is set to take a laissez-faire approach to free speech with minimal moderation on the platform
Read the full article27 October 2022
Everyday Philosophy: When bridges are burnt
The Kerch Strait bridge will never be the same again. The patched-up bridge may end up looking like the original, but it will now have very different connotations
Read the full article20 October 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The links between Nietzsche and Rothko
If you think Rothko's pieces are merely calm meditative paintings, look again. Carefully.
Read the full article13 October 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Why we pay attention to autumn leaves
Our ancestors reacted quickly to seasonal change. It's time for us to prepare for the cold months ahead
Read the full article06 October 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The end of fairness
In today's society, justice as fairness is under threat
Read the full article29 September 2022
Everyday Philosophy: We’re living a dog’s life
We may be living a dog's life. But, when left uncared for street dogs are far from docile. The government needs to watch out
Read the full article22 September 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Should we talk to tyrants?
We want peace and ought to seek it. However, negotiating with a suspected war criminal is far from desirable
Read the full article15 September 2022
Everyday Philosophy: What is grief’s purpose?
Grief is the long-lasting flame that keeps memories alive. As Queen Elizabeth herself said, “grief is the price we pay for love”
Read the full article08 September 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Should we be more like water?
A willingness to adapt rather than stick with the ways of the past would be beneficial for the contemporary political environment
Read the full article01 September 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Should we criticise our politicians for having a good time?
Videos of dancing politicians often bring in both criticism and amusement. But, holidaying during a national crisis is unforgivable
Read the full article25 August 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Do we need to be protected from risk-taking?
We don't want our freedoms curtailed too much, but sometimes paternalism can save us from ourselves
Read the full article