Surprising Ethics – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Surprising Ethics

Dr William Gildea

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/14d. Total Eps: 13

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.

Read moreCollapse

Site

RSS

Apple

Data updated on 14/07/2026

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com/
6 shares

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 58%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

Do AIs have moral rights? | Ep. 5

Season 1 · Episode 5

Saturday, November 1, 2025 • Duration 31:36

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 sentient AI who might then be abused?

Podcast website for contact details and more: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com

Instagram: @surprising_ethics_podcast tinyurl.com/surprisingethics

Read moreCollapse

Should the state ban smoking, restrict calories, and stop us harming ourselves? | Prof Sarah Conly on paternalism | Ep. 4

Season 1 · Episode 5

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 • Duration 58:50

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’s surprising case in favour of the “nanny state”.

Podcast website for contact details and more: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com

Instagram: @surprising_ethics_podcast tinyurl.com/surprisingethics

Read moreCollapse

Is monogamy morally wrong? | Ep. 3

Season 1 · Episode 4

Monday, September 1, 2025 • Duration 25:56

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?

Podcast website for contact details and more: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com

Instagram: @surprising_ethics_podcast tinyurl.com/surprisingethics

Read moreCollapse

Do animals have moral rights? | Ep. 2

Season 1 · Episode 3

Monday, September 1, 2025 • Duration 25:10

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?

Podcast website for contact details and more: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com

Instagram: @surprising_ethics_podcast tinyurl.com/surprisingethics

Read moreCollapse

Is pleasure all that matters in life? | Ep. 1

Season 1 · Episode 2

Monday, September 1, 2025 • Duration 22:03

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?

Podcast website for contact details and more: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com

Instagram: @surprising_ethics_podcast tinyurl.com/surprisingethics

Read moreCollapse

Trailer

Episode 1

Thursday, August 21, 2025 • Duration 01:15

A trailer briefly outlining Surprising Ethics, a new podcast launching on 1st September 2025.

Podcast website for contact details and more: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com

Instagram: @surprising_ethics_podcast tinyurl.com/surprisingethics

Read moreCollapse

Surprising Ethics – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Surprising Ethics – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Buzzsprout1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Buzzsprout1

Apple Podcasts

Spotify