In search of nothing | David Deutsch, Amanda Gefter, Lee Smolin

In search of nothing | David Deutsch, Amanda Gefter, Lee Smolin

Author: IAI November 6, 2025 Duration: 1:00:17

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 absence of God right to modern physics and ideas of the void.

Join leading theoretical physicists David Deutsch and Lee Smolin, alongside science writer Amanda Gefter, as they discuss the edges of their understanding of nothing, including what something is, what physics tells us, and the extent to which we require esotericism to comprehend it.

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


Each week, Philosophy For Our Times opens up a space for genuine conversation, moving beyond headlines to examine the deeper questions shaping our world. Produced by the IAI, this podcast naturally draws on a global roster of philosophers, scientists, and cultural critics who don't just offer answers but engage in substantive debates. You'll hear discussions that feel urgent and relevant, whether they're untangling the ethics of new technology, probing the tensions in contemporary politics, or exploring what art tells us about society. The aim is to apply rigorous thought to the issues that dominate the news and our personal lives, making complex ideas accessible without losing their depth. Tuning into this podcast is like having a front-row seat to the conversations that define our moment, delivered with the clarity and nuance that thoughtful examination requires. It’s a weekly invitation to pause and reflect, using philosophy not as a remote discipline but as a vital tool for understanding.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 545

Philosophy For Our Times
Podcast Episodes
A new theory of ethics | Martha Nussbaum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:28
Do we need a moral reawakening? Is animal suffering simply a fact of life or can it be avoided? How did the US Navy break whale protection laws? Is there more to animal suffering than just pain?From the cruelty of the fa…
Crisis in the academy | Yaron Brook, Eric Kaufmann, Catherine Liui [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:43
Universities, long celebrated as sanctuaries of free thought and intellectual rigour, have for centuries been regarded as the best way to educate and conduct research. But increasingly, this assumption is being questione…
On the nature of reality | Rowan Williams and Iain McGilchrist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:53
Who are we? Why are we here? Does life have a meaning beyond itself? Join former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and groundbreaking psychiatrist, literary scholar and author of 'The Matter with Things', Iain Mc…
The philosophy of performance | Michelle Terry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:21
How can taking on the role of someone else help us to understand ourselves? Does the hermit know himself better than the socialite? And where is the line between our true, authentic selves and the multitude of characters…
The end of materialism | Àlex Gómez-Marín [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:02
Alex Gómez-Marín is a controversial figure in contemporary neuroscience, known for challenging the materialist framework that dominates scientific accounts of consciousness. He argues that Near Death Experiences (NDEs) r…
Freedom and Fate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:14
An individual "is responsible for everything he does," claimed Sartre. And from criminal justice to creative expression, free will and responsibility are central to our culture and our personal lives. Yet neuroscientists…