239 episodes

In a world marked by wicked social problems, The Minefield helps you negotiate the ethical dilemmas, contradictory claims and unacknowledged complicities of modern life.

The Minefield ABC listen

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 31 Ratings

In a world marked by wicked social problems, The Minefield helps you negotiate the ethical dilemmas, contradictory claims and unacknowledged complicities of modern life.

    Ramadan — the importance of friendship

    Ramadan — the importance of friendship

    If Thoreau regards withdrawal and solitude as means by which we learn to escape self-deception, then they may well be little more than preparation for the moral demands friends make of one another.

    • 53 min
    Ramadan — the discipline of solitude

    Ramadan — the discipline of solitude

    Solitude is neither alone-ness nor idleness. It is strenuous and takes practice. Solitude does not simply happen in the way that isolation or loneliness does — it must be inhabited.

    • 53 min
    Ramadan — the necessity of withdrawing

    Ramadan — the necessity of withdrawing

    Are periodic bouts of withdrawal from life’s urgent demands and heated debates necessary to regain a sense of our shared humanity, and to renew the commitments that sustain the moral life?

    • 54 min
    Q+A on “the wisdom of crowds”

    Q+A on “the wisdom of crowds”

    Waleed Aly, Scott Stephens and philosopher Stephanie Collins field questions from a live studio audience on crowd-behaviour, conformity and the importance of dissent.

    • 53 min
    How much credence should we give to “the wisdom of crowds”?

    How much credence should we give to “the wisdom of crowds”?

    Ever since Plato, “crowds” have been associated with irrationality, emotivism, conformism, short-term thinking, and herd-like behaviour. But what if it turns out that crowds are collectively more intelligent than their individual members?

    • 52 min
    When is it right to call some act – or someone – “evil”?

    When is it right to call some act – or someone – “evil”?

    What are we trying to convey when we reach for a word like “evil”? Is it something about a person’s actions or character? Is it what they do or the manner in which they do it?

    • 53 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
31 Ratings

31 Ratings

FeeSilke ,

Insightful and unique analysis

This is a fantastic podcast covering current hot topics from a unique and insightful way. Love RN

Mpg don't ,

Worthwhile listening.

I listen regularly but Scott Stephens tends to dominate the conversation and I want him to stop talking and let the guest and Waleed Aly speak more. He makes valid points but he takes so long to make them.

seaburns8 ,

Mindfield

I wish this show was called the mindfield. Nonetheless it’s a fantastic programme. Thanks guys.

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