For me, Alex O’Connor’s show is a mixed bag. On the one hand, he does bring on people who are genuinely experts in their field or at least know what they’re talking about. I love that he’s had on Bart Ehrman, Andrew Mark Henry (Religion for Breakfast), Justin Sledge (Esoterica) and Filip Holm (Let’s Talk Religion). He is actually making an effort to talk about religion from a historical, academic standpoint instead of doing those atheist takedowns of religion that give irreligious people a bad name. At the same time, there are also episodes that demonstrate my main issue with famous philosophers. They make blanket assumptions about history that isn’t backed up by anything. For example, on episode #55, Robert Sapolsky claims that cultures from the desert tend to be monotheistic while cultures from the rain forests tend to be polytheistic. Before the Abrahamic religions, however, basically every society was polytheistic (people like to bring up Zoroastrianism but even that had divinities besides Ahura Mazda). This blanket assumptions, which is based in the idea that Abrahamic religions represent all of religious history, kind of undermines Sapolsky’s premise. It’s not just him. I see this issue of making blanket assumptions about history that often aren’t even true among many philosophers on these types of shows.

David is great but I think he was describing empathy as the ability to learn for the receiver. The transmitter can’t help a receiver learn if the receiver is not practicing some form of empathy for the transmitter. For a receiver to show empathy, they must receive it first. So everyone wants empathy before they give it, and then we form this weird isolated society. Thanks for this amazing umbrella of a talk!

nice try to make Jacob Hansen sound rational. I take particular umbrage of the garbage he spewed about archaeology. He actually should be sued by the archaeologists he quoted, who in one case I know. Thanks for trying Alex,I enjoy your shows ProfSWGreen, Anthropology

Stayed for the meterphysics and meterethics

Thank you for this podcast. I appreciate everything about it.

Despite being half my age, I feel a tad nervous offering any criticism about this show, which I truly believe is excellent! The only issue I have is that Alex occasionally comes across as a bit sanctimonious. Regardless, this is in my top 3 favorite podcasts, great work!

This show is a refreshing form of debate where to people that disagree can come together and have a respectful conversation something lacking in todays world

Alex I just want to thank you for your willingness to engage with ALL people and their ideas without judgment and interruptions. I am a Christian and I just want you to know that I am praying for you to know Jesus and how much He truly does love you. Thank you for your kindness and love of all people. You remind me of Jesus in your respect for others. Thank you Alex.

Alex is an excellent communicator, educator, conversationalist, and thinker.

Morality is objective. Not subjective. The tribal apes are pragmatic to their tribe and pass it off as morality. Morality transcends tribalism. Morality is wanting for every single ape what you want for yourself. Then you have to go further for the opposite sex.

I am very happy to have found this fascinating podcast! The host is very interesting and his guests are even more knowledgeable. Perfect.

Ads totally ruin the flow of this show. Unsubscribed.

I am getting a philosophy minor because of this channel

It’s hard to fully describe my disappointment as I listen to Alex, an arguably brilliant young man, platform unserious people without significant pushback. The interview with Douglas Murray was truly abysmal, and the few times Alex critiqued Mr. Murray’s statements, the interviewee clutched hos pearls and Alex said “of course” or “yes, yes” moments later. It demonstrates either a lack of willingness to deconstruct opposing voices for fear of seeming unfair, or worse, an actual agreement with a man who speaks in hystaria, exaggeration, and carries one hundred straw men in his surely quite posh overcoat. Listen, the response to a critique such as this is that dissenting voices sparks debate, interest, and a broader understanding of the topic. However, if those dissenting voices are dripping with bottomless bad faith arguments and faux incredulity, then where is the value? The only possible outcome is propagandizing. It is wildly misguided and I expect a more analytical approach to, and reflection upon, such wretched polemics in the future.

Within Reason has gradually grown to be one of my favorite podcast, despite having very little interest in this channel when I first discovered it, after coming to realize the vastly different types of guests that appear on the show and the hosts ability to probe and challenge those ideas I have come to very much appreciate the content on this podcast

I just listened to “Just Stop Oil” podcast. I rarely write a review but the argument from both the sides was so respectful of each other that I felt it was a highly educational dialog which taught me how to be respectful of the other viewpoint even if I may have a very repulsive view of the other side. It was the skill and patience of the podcaster which made it possible. Thank you for keeping the dialog “within the reason”.

Listened to a couple of your more recent casts. Decided to go back and listen to some of your archived episodes and found the Peter Hitchens one of interest. Was appalled that you would air the sensational personal jibes at the end of that episode. I feel that was beneath you. Hope if you find yourself in a similar situation and the tables are turned, that you are treated more properly. Those who come on your show are “guests” right?

Love the show. Love Alex, even as a Christian. I really appreciate his reasonableness and fairness. I hope he brings on someone to foil the latest episode on The History of Yahweh. If not, NT Wright’s “Christian Origins and the Question of God” series serves as a great foil to the Documentary Hypothesis/Evolution of Religion theory that he was proposing. This has been largely rendered obsolete but still holds on in some American institutions and maybe popular still by guys like Bart Ehrman. Mike F Bird of Ridley College would also be a great foil, to name just one. OT scholars like John Walton or John C Collins are more great foils. Loved the episode nonetheless

Proper philosopher gives Sam a proper asswhooping.

Put down the Earl Grey, Pete!

👌

I was ready to listen to the most recent WLC episode with an open mind. After hearing the whole thing I agree with Dawkins 100%. I wish Alex would have pushed back more, especially when he tried to dodge the issue of ‘how do we know God actually commanded x’ by saying that it’s an epistemic question that he’s “not interested” in. Infuriating listen. Otherwise love the show.

Alex O’Connor is an honest, intelligent host, and I love to hear his reasoning concerning topics in which I’m interested. However, I find fault with him using his platform to host some genuinely dishonest individuals who refuse to use logic and rationally sound arguments. For example, William Lane Craig, who argues using logical fallacies, semantic games, and long-debunked god-claims, has appeared numerous times on this program. Such unscrupulous religious bigots already have too large a megaphone, and Mr. O’Connor shouldn’t be so accepting of individuals with such abhorrent ideas, logic, and morals.

Show is overall great. Michael Knowles is beyond annoying. The guy has the easiest “tell.” As soon as he feels outmatched on a point, he interrupts by asking a condescending question. The Daily Wire “crew,” as it were, are the biggest bunch of fake intellectuals you’re likely to find.

Typical liberal arts atheist psychobabble

Best podcast

Excellent podcast. Particularly the episodes with Bart Ehrman. Very insightful.

Alex is an incredibly bright fellow and a fantastic interviewer. I never miss an episode

Amazing podcast

Enjoy every episode!

Alex has a great capacity to listen patiently and press gently to bring about very engaging conversations.

I've been following Alex's content for several years. It's been a tremendous joy. Alex has a brilliant mind. Jump in and enjoy.

Alex is an awesome thinker and interviewer

As an atheist myself, I love to hear from atheists who are not a Reddit stereotype.

Well done program!

I can’t understand how I missed the fact that one of my all time favorite philosophy communicators had a podcast. YouTube has really been messing up the algorithm because I just recently was recommended a clip of his that made me aware of this. So excited to get started.

I have been an Alex O’Connor fan ever since my deconversion. The manner that he conducts himself comes through his content. It’s not a hairbrained free form podcast. He treats guests of every faith background with incredible respect. I love the way everything is structured and held together.

Excellent, fair, even-keeled discussions about religion and philosophy from interesting and insightful people

I’m a big fan of Alex, Within Reason, and his YouTube work, which is ironic since I am unapologetically a believer in God. But I love how Alex navigates conversations of consequential importance in a caring, non-divisive manner. He is respectful to all of his guests, and asks thought provoking questions that have equally challenged my faith, and strengthened it. I’m sure that’s not his goal, but nevertheless, he’s been a joy to follow. Alex, I’m always praying for you. Thank you for all you do.

I’ve been a huge fan of Alex’s going on 5 years now. His ability to brilliantly examine philosophical, ethical, and theological topics and convey his thoughts with clarity is unmatched. My only complaint over the past few years has been not enough context! Of course I know he’s been busy, but this new podcast schedule has me excited. Can’t wait for the intellectually stimulating food for thought every week. Alex, keep doing what you’re doing. Nothing but respect for you. You’ve been a huge positive impact on my life. And get Jordan Peterson on here!!!

It’s amazing how he pushes back on every guest he has on the show. This is honest work.

If you like philosophy and good conversation about religion and big ideas, this podcast is for you. Alex is genuine and cares about people.

I feel like he’s a smart and genuine person

I like the dialogue with people that he disagrees in order to learn more. We need more of this in todays society.

Always excited to hear more!

I appreciate Alex’s ability to articulate his thoughts in such a patient and coherent way to and with fellow thinkers. There is a clarity to Alex’s way of communicating that I would love to see more of. Thanks Alex—Keep up the great work!

I love Alex’s content on here, it’s been great listening to his chats with his friends and idols. However , his YouTube channel is also worth checking out, as he doesn’t upload anymore on here :/

Simply wonderful!

I love Alex’s style of interviewing. He’s not afraid to press guests on the finer points of their arguments while always being respectful.

Alex never ceases to amaze me in his development as an interviewer, speaker, and thinker. Like all of us, he has a ways to go, but he has already show remarkable progress and continues to be one of the individuals whose content I most look forward to listening to. Would love to see him explore Effective Altruism a bit more, with perhaps Will MacAskill or Toby Ord (or any other major proponents of EA) on to discuss longtermism and other such notions that underpin their ethics.