Philosophical Videos

Some of the videos linked on the German page contain material in English. If you know of good and free courses, esp. of an introductory nature, let us know (or copy/paste your list onto the google-doc). 

Wireless Philosophy: dedicated to providing free and accessible educational content on a wide range of philosophical topics. WiPhi offers a range of content, including lecture-style videos, animated shorts, and interviews with prominent philosophers.

The School of Life: The School of Life discusses psychotherapy, political theory, literature, sociology, art, and philosophy with a focus on mental health.

Carneades: provides a wide variety of introductionary material on philosophical traditions and schools of thought in tandem with their main website carneades.org.

Philosophy Vibe: discussions and debates on different philosophical ideas starting with the basics.

CrashCourse: dedicated to providing concise video lessons on a diverse range of philosophical subjects. Very beginner-friendly.

60 Second Philosophy: bite-sized videos on the big ideas of philosophy.

The Royal Institute of Philosophy: series of philosophy lectures, events and debates, including the Royal Institute of Philosophy's Annual Lecture, presented by  philosophers of international standing. 

8-Bit Philosophy: resource for learning about fundamental philosophy concepts through the lens of classic 8-bit video games.

Sisyphus Redeemed: An Introduction to the history and philosophy of science.

Harvard University, Michael Sandel: famous Harvard course on ethics and justice with Michael Sandel.

Brain in a Vat: introduction to the most influential thought-experiments, their concepts and limitations.

Overthink Podcast: Youtube-pendant of the popular podcast. Features introductionary lectures and interviews with prominet figures in philosophy.

Simon Kushing: a professor at the University of Michigan discussing the core-concepts of philosophy including controversial debates.

Jeffrey Kaplan: an introduction on what it means to study philosophy and the do´s and dont´s of the academic profession.

Philosophical Techne: video lectures in philosophy. Such subjects as formal logic, social and political philosophy, introduction to philosophy, and other philosophy related videos.

DK Youngson: a class on the analytical tradition with Daniel Bonevac, an american philosopher and professor.

Theory & Philosophy: some key theoretical domains that this channel explores, but that is not limited to, include feminism, gender and queer theory, post-structuralism, structuralism, psychoanalysis, marxism, rhetoric, epistemology, ontology, and phenomenology.

A History of Philosophy: a comprehensive lecture on the history of philosophy by Arthur Holmes. Covering ancient greece till the modern era.

Monte Johnson: in-depth analysis of primary-source texts. Great as an anchor for interpretation while reading.

Closer to Truth: delves into fundamental concepts concerning the universe, brain/mind, religion, meaning and purpose through open discussions with distinguished scientists, philosophers, academics theologians as well as innovative thinkers from various fields.

Brains Blog: better known for the identically named podcast but their youtube channel features some great discussions and interviews with scholars and experts surrounding the Philosphy of Mind.

Friction: features a large collection of interviews with many of the leading voices in academical philosophy.

European Graduate School Video Lectures: vast assortment of interviews with numerous prominent figures in philosophy, explores diverse subject matters.

flame0430: features interviews and debates from the 60´s and 70´s with some of the most famous faces in philosophy of the time like Martha Nussbaum, Daniel Dennett, Willard Quine, John Searle and many more.

Thoughtology: interviews with professional philosophers about their work and ideas. The primary focus lies on issues in analytic philosophy, including logic, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of religion and philosophy of science.

Sean Carroll: theoretical physicist Sean Carroll interviews experts from different fields of sciene. There´s a focus on natural science but many of the discussions include philosophical themes and topics.

The Great Philosophers: A History of Western Philosophy: more interviews with famous thinkers from the 70´s to the 80´s.

Manufacturing Intellect: a collection of interviews with some of the most influential voices of the 20th century. This channel preserves rare discourse material for posterity.

Chomsky vs Foucault: celebrated linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky argues about the existence of human nature with the French philosopher, Michel Foucault.

Baldwyn vs Buckley: writer and activist, James Baldwin, faces off against conservative commentator and founder of The National Review, William F. Buckley, in a debate at Cambridge University. The two discuss the American Dream and whether or not it has come at the expense of Black Americans.

Hitchins and Judis vs. Ridpath and Binswanger: Christopher Hitchins and John Judis take a stance in favor of socialism while John Ridpath and Harry Binswanger advocate for Ayn-Randian, laissez-faire capitalism.

Zizek vs. Peterson: well-known academic and prolific author, Slavoj Zizek, discusses Marxism, capitalism, and happiness with fellow author, academic, and internet celebrity, Jordan Peterson.

Russell vs. Copelston: Bertrand Russel, a dedicated proponent of analytical thought,  discusses the question of the existence of God with philosopher and priest, Frederick Copelston.

Fry and Hitchens vs Onaiyekan and Widdecombe: Stephen Fry and Christopher Hitchens lock horns with Archbishop John Onaiyekan and Ann Widdecombe over the motion "The Catholic Church is a Force for Good in the World"

Hitchens vs Hitchens: Brothers Christopher and Peter Hitchens debate the Iraq War and religion.

Dennett vs Krauss vs Pigliucci: does science need philosophy in order to function? Cosmologist Lawrence Krauss argues against this motion with philosophers Daniel Dennett and Massimo Pigliucci.

Dennett vs Caruso: Dennett and Caruso challenge and help elucidate each other’s views on a variety of issues concerning the hot topic of "free will".

Richard Dawkins interviews Peter Singer: Richard Dawkins interviews Peter Singer on the ethics of how humans perceive and act towards other species.

Philosophytube: channel that combines philosophy, social commentary, and educational content to engage viewers in thought-provoking discussions.

Contrapoints: approaches social and political issues through a philosophical lens, dissecting subjects such as gender, identity, capitalism, and the rise of far-right ideologies.

The Pursuit of Wonder: offers a unique blend of philosophy, education, and creative storytelling through its animated videos, making it an intriguing and thought-provoking resource for those interested in exploring deep existential questions.

exurb1a: Exurb1a's videos often feature a distinctive narrative style, combining scripted monologues with visually captivating footage and graphics. The channel covers a wide range of topics, including cosmology, philosophy, psychology, futurism, and the nature of consciousness.

Sisyphus 55: covers many existential topics and themes with crude animations and dark humour.

Gregory B. Sadler: the channel covers a wide range of philosophical traditions, including ancient Greek philosophy, stoicism, existentialism, and ethical theories.

The Philosophical Research Society: dedicated to the study and dissemination of knowledge in various fields, including philosophy, metaphysics, religion, and the esoteric sciences. 

Kane B: provides video-essays about different topics in philosophy through the lens of a post-modern perpective. Uses certain aspects of internet-culture (memes, tier lists etc) to structure his content.

Eternalised: philosophical topics through the lens of absurdism, Nietzsche, stoicism, Jungian psychology, and Nihilist realism.

Fiction Beast: channel that focuses on storytelling and fiction-based content with a philosophical twist.

Then & Now: explores comparisons between past and present, typically focusing on various aspects of culture, technology, and society. The channel aims to provide insights into how things have evolved and changed over time.

Wisecrack: combines humor, philosophy, and pop culture analysis. The channel explores philosophical and intellectual concepts by dissecting and analyzing movies, TV shows, and other forms of popular media. Can be a bit reducitonist times but provides very entertaining content.

Existentialist Dasein: how the channel name suggests, it provides content on existentialist topics through the use of essays, poems in short segments.

Wes Cecil: cultural analysis and commentary built on the fundament of Critical Theory.

The Joy of Logic: documentary series produced by the BBC that explores the world of logic and its applications in various fields. Presented by mathematician and comedian Dr. Marcus du Sautoy. Explores a range of topics, including the foundations of logic, the nature of proofs, the power of mathematical reasoning, and the development of symbolic logic. It also examines how logic plays a role in technology, artificial intelligence, and even philosophy.

Derrida: biographical film that explores the life, work, and philosophy of Jacques Derrida, one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century. The film follows Derrida as he engages in interviews, lectures, and conversations, offering insights into his philosophical concepts and methods.

The Pervert's Guide to Ideology: explores the role of ideology in shaping our beliefs, desires, and behaviors, and how it influences our perception of reality. In the documentary, Slavoj Žižek uses popular culture references, such as films, to analyze and dissect various ideologies prevalent in society. He examines how ideologies, ranging from consumerism to patriotism, function as belief systems that shape our identities and control our actions.

Pervert's guide to Cinema: takes viewers on a journey through the world of cinema, exploring the hidden ideologies, desires, and fantasies embedded in popular films. In the documentary, Slavoj Žižek offers unique and provocative interpretations of iconic movies from various genres, including Hollywood classics and European art films.

Being in the World: explores the philosophy of being and the art of craftsmanship. The film brings together a diverse group of individuals, including philosophers, musicians, athletes, and craftsmen, to examine the ways in which we engage with the world and find meaning in our lives. Explores the concept of "being-in-the-world" as described by the philosopher Martin Heidegger.

The Examined Life: delves into the ideas and philosophies of several influential contemporary thinkers like Slavoj Žižek, Judith Butler, Cornel West, Peter Singer, and others. The film features a series of captivating interviews and conversations with philosophers, scholars, and activists who reflect on fundamental questions about life, ethics, society, and the human condition.

The Simulation Hypothesis: investigates the idea that our universe and everything within it, including human consciousness, could be part of a highly advanced simulation created by a more advanced civilization or an artificial intelligence. It examines the philosophical implications of living in a simulated reality and explores how technological advancements in virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and computer simulations have shaped our understanding of the concept.

Living in the End Times: Slavoj Žižek takes center stage, showcasing his polemic and humorous style. The documentary bombards him with a barrage of clips featuring popular media images and quotes from contemporary thinkers, all revolving around four significant issues: the economic crisis, the environment, Afghanistan, and the erosion of democracy. Žižek criticizes modern capitalism, unapologetically offering his perspective on the challenges that lie ahead and our shared future.

Human, All Too Human: This three-part program produced by the BBC delves into the lives of Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre. The underlying theme throughout this production is existentialism. It should be noted that although Heidegger rejected being labelled under this category, it remains central to his work as well as those featured within the show. As its title suggests, "Human, All Too Human" takes inspiration from one of Nietzsche's most notable works published back in 1878: A Book for Free Spirits. Here you can watch part 2 and part 3.

Western Philosophy: The three-part documentary series, traces the progression of Western philosophy from its inception in ancient Greece to contemporary times. The series showcases significant philosophical traditions and eminent philosophers that have played a pivotal role throughout history - starting with ancient Greek thought through the Middle Ages and Age of Reason leading up to 20th century thinkers. In addition, this production delves into fundamental questions such as what is philosophy? Why does it hold importance? And how does it relate to religion, spirituality and science? Here you can watch part 2 and part 3.