In an age of rapid technological change, political upheaval, and scientific innovation, what practical value does philosophy hold? The Benefits of Philosophy brings together six internationally renowned philosophers to make a compelling case for why philosophical thinking is not only relevant but essential, across a wide range of disciplines from economics and law to political science and cognitive neuroscience.
Through in-depth interviews and accessible explanations, the film explores how core philosophical questions about knowledge, ethics, agency, and meaning continue to shape cutting-edge research and influence public discourse. Rather than treating philosophy as an abstract or outdated pursuit, the documentary reveals how its methods and insights actively inform real-world decision-making in academia, policy, and society.
Mark Bevir (UC Berkeley) critiques the tendency to reify, or overly concretise, abstract social concepts in political science. Instead, he advocates for a framework that emphasizes human intentionality and the interpretive nature of social action.
Nita Farahany (Duke University), a leading voice in neuroethics and law, demonstrates how emerging research on brain function and impulsivity is transforming our legal definitions of culpability and free will, forcing courts to reconsider what it means to act with premeditation.
Philosopher and neuroscientist Patricia Churchland (UC San Diego) bridges biology and ethics, showing how developments in the brain sciences offer fresh insight into moral reasoning. Brian Epstein (Tufts University) challenges assumptions about the foundations of social reality and economic systems, asking what it truly means for institutions like markets or governments to exist.
Angie Hobbs (University of Sheffield) illustrates the enduring relevance of classical philosophy in navigating modern political dilemmas, while Scott Soames (University of Southern California) and Susan Wolf (UNC Chapel Hill) provide clear-eyed perspectives on meaning, identity, and the human condition.
With intellectually engaging commentary and vivid examples, The Benefits of Philosophy underscores how philosophical tools such as critical thinking, conceptual clarity and ethical reflection are indispensable for grappling with today’s most pressing interdisciplinary challenges. Whether addressing the reliability of scientific claims or the moral weight of legal responsibility, philosophy is shown not as a distant academic tradition, but as a living practice with profound consequences for how we understand and shape our world.
In an age of rapid technological change, political upheaval, and scientific innovation, what practical value does philosophy hold? The Benefits of Philosophy brings together six internationally renowned philosophers to make a compelling case for why philosophical thinking is not only relevant but essential, across a wide range of disciplines from economics and law to political science and cognitive neuroscience....
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