The chains of freedom | Daniel Markovits, Elizabeth Anderson, Yaron Brook

The chains of freedom | Daniel Markovits, Elizabeth Anderson, Yaron Brook

Author: IAI September 1, 2026 Duration: 47:57
Is freedom always an absolute good? For freedom to be beneficial and practical, does it need constraining? Are attacks on freedom really the first step to tyranny?From freedom from tyranny and poverty to the right to free speech, we assume freedom is always desirable. But critics argue the consequences of freedom are less obviously desirable than we imagine and frequently unknown. Kafka wrote, "It is often better to be in chains than to be free," and Sartre that, "we're condemned to be free" since we are responsible for everything we do. And in wealthier countries where citizens are freer from the hunt for basic necessities like food, water, and housing, studies show depression and anxiety are more prevalent, not less.Daniel Markovits is Professor of Law at Yale Law School and the Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Private Law. He is the author of the bestselling book The Meritocracy TrapElizabeth Anderson is Professor of Public Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Michigan. She specialises in moral, social and political philosophy, as well as feminist theory and the philosophy of economics and the social sciences.Yaron Brook is an entrepreneur, writer, activist, and political scientist. He is currently chairman of the board of the Ayn Rand Institute and host of the Yaron Brook Show.Isabel Hilton hosts.Don't hesitate to email us at podcast@iai.tv with your thoughts or questions on the episode!To witness such talks live buy tickets for our upcoming festival: https://howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/And visit our website for many more articles, videos, and podcasts like this one: https://iai.tv/You can find everything we referenced here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes 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: 50

Philosophy For Our Times
Podcast Episodes
Rehumanising science | Carlo Rovelli - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:05
Are electrons real? What is the connection between physics and Buddhism? Is now the time to rehumanise science?Eastern philosophies have been an integral part of scientific thought and the development of multiple fields…
Taking down the cultural elite | Catherine Liu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:02
What is managerialism? Why is the meritocracy sliding into technocracy? Does suffering make us seem more pure?We tend to think that today’s progressive politics advances equality through moral awareness and identity. But…
The secret history of cool | Joel Dinerstein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:21
Joel Dinerstein unpicks the surprisingly intricate history of coolness, from its roots in jazz, development as a term and explosion in usage throughout the 20th century.
The mind is not a machine | Iain McGilchrist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:45
Iain McGilchrist argues that to understand mind and matter, we need to restore the right hemisphere to its rightful primacy and move beyond matieralism.
Anxiety and the soul's itch | Sarah Wilson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:25
Social philosopher Sarah Wilson explores what anxiety - or the 'soul's itch' - can tell us about living life more meaningfully.