Libertarianism is a political philosophy based on John Locke's philosophy of natural law, that each is entitled to freedom for oneself and ones property and society should require minimal intervention by government. It is closely associated with individualism but its origins can be traced to ancient China. We explore contemporary principles of libertarianism and offer a brief critical reflection on what is seems to be missing. Show notesLibertarianism: A Primer – David BoazLibertarianism - WikipediaLibertarianism.orgKey concepts of libertarianismThe Here and Now Podcast on FacebookThe Here and Now Podcast on TwitterSend me an emailSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)

In this reflective episode I discuss something that bugs me - the always or never fallacy. We often exaggerated and use hyperbole to emphasis our stories, but society is often a reflection of our complacency at recognising the things that make us unique and the grey areas of life most of us inhabit. We consider Kenneth Feinberg's unenviable role in the aftermath of 9/11 and how recognising the nuance that makes us unique is in conflict with the need to generalise. Show notesWhat if life worth? The unprecedented effort to compensate the victims of 9/11 - Kenneth FeinbergThe Here and Now Podcast on FacebookThe Here and Now Podcast on TwitterSend me an emailSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)

David Latchman is a science communicator and host of the Science Bloggers Podcast. He trained as a physicist before becoming a full time science journalist and freelance science writer. He is passionate about sharing ideas from science with a general audience and making the STEM fields a more diverse and inclusive space for minorities and people of colour. We talk a little about his background and work as a science communicator, some of the issues surrounding a lack of diversity in science and how these can be addressed.  Show NotesThe Science Bloggers PodcastDavid Latchman on TwitterSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)

It might feel like you are a distinct and continuous identity, but the theory of the dialogical self asserts that you inhabit many different I-positions that represent different aspects of You. In this episode, we briefly explore the origins of dialogical self theory and how the person you are is manifest both internally and externally through many voices engaged in continual dialogue. Remember, you can get in touch on Facebook or at [email protected] notesThe dialogical self - WikipediaWilliam James - Stanford  Encyclopaedia of PhilosophyHubert HermansThe Here and Now Podcast on FacebookThe Here and Now Podcast on TwitterSend me an email Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)

Utilitarianism is a principle of ethical philosophy which considers that the most morally correct action is one that produces the most good. This idea was first tackled seriously by 18th century philosopher Jeremy Bentham, however it is not without complications. In this episode we explore utilitarianism and consider how it can be applied to making both everyday decisions and ones of crucial social importance ones as well. Show NotesUtilitarianismThe felicific calculusJeremy Bentham at UCLThe Here and Now Podcast on FacebookThe Here and Now Podcast on TwitterSend me an emailSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)

The concept of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) has been growing in popularity so I decided to explore it for a recent research project. I began as a sceptic but after considering a variety of social justice arguments I now believe a UBI should be an policy goal for societies who wish to reduce inequality and achiever greater social justice.  But UBI is not just about helping those worst off, it can benefit everyone in a range of ways which we explore in this episode. Show NotesBasic Income NetworkBasic income – A guide for the open minded – Guy StandingResults of Finland’s basic income experimentSpain UBI projectEverywhere basic income has been tried in one mapPublic equity and tax benefit reform – Keith RankinUBI: A policy for social justice – D MondsThe Here and Now Podcast on FacebookThe Here and Now Podcast on TwitterSend me an emailSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)

Societal and community psychologist Professor Darrin Hodgetts joins me to discuss his work with marginalised communities most affected by social injustice and structural violence.  Prof Hodgetts is a highly respected figure in New Zealand community psychology circles having advanced ethnographic and action oriented research to engage directly with those most affected by urban poverty, homelessness, and other social issues. We discuss structural violence, equality of opportunity and outcome, why resolving inequalities benefits all members of society, and how applied psychologists tackle social justice issues and help to shape policy that improves well-being across society. Show notesProfessor Darrin Hodgetts - Massey University profileProfessor Hodgetts - Nga Pae Ote Bio (NZ Maori centre of research excellence)The Here and Now Podcast on FacebookThe Here and Now Podcast on TwitterSend me an emailSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)

In this episode we consider the limits of wealth distribution in society, inherent inequalities to life and the role of luck. We also explore the economic ideas of the commons and public goods and the role these play in free market and state capitalist societies. We also take a look at the social protection floor and why it is often conceptualised by society as something to be ashamed of. This leads us to consider the tight coupling of labour and income and the subsequent vulnerability of those without a job or in casual work, a class known as the precariat. All of this leads us to question social justice in wealth distribution and ask the question; could be another way to smooth the edges of income precarity?Show notesInequality in nature and society – Scheffer et al. 2017Iron & steel industry in Middlesbrough’s historyTeesside Steel Works - WikipediaPlunder of the commons – Guy StandingWe’re all state capitalists now – Niall Ferguson, Foreign PolicyThe Precariat: A dangerous new class – Guy StandingThe Here and Now Podcast on FacebookThe Here and Now Podcast on TwitterSend me an emailSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)

In this episode we explore social justice, namely: what is it, why is it so contested, and why are you probably sick of hearing about. It has taken a while to write this episode, largely because it is a challenging topic which introduces politics and confronts our worldviews.  It is not meant to be divisive or inflammatory, its purpose is to open minds and approach social justice issues with compassion and rationality.  This episode also draws together a few threads to set the stage for the next episodes which will cover social justice issues more fully.  Show NotesThe Universal Declaration of Human RightsThe Here and Now Podcast on FacebookThe Here and Now Podcast on TwitterSend me an emailSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)

What is the role of government? Should it exist to provide safety and security for its citizens or to maintain order because humans are fundamentally selfish? Is an equitable society possible? What would such a society look like? Episode 73 is the first of a mini-series on social justice in which we consider the social contract that exists between a state and its people according to the divergent views of four political philosophers.We ExploreThe United States Declaration of IndependenceThe natural state and natural lawSocial Contract Theory according to Hobbes and LeviathanLocke's second treatise of government The Social Contract according to RousseauA theory of justice by RawlsShow NotesEpisode 45 - Moral relativism Leviathan – Thomas HobbesTwo Treatises of Government – John LockeThe Social Contract – Jean-Jacques RousseauRosseau and Locke on Property and the State – Matt SchrageA Theory of Justice – John RawlsThe Here and Now Podcast on FacebookThe Here and Now Podcast on TwitterSend me an emailSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)