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Knowledge in Crisis: The Podcast

Knowledge in Crisis: The Podcast

Written by: Knowledge in Crisis
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 Knowledge in Crisis: The Podcast is by philosophers for the general public. We sit down with philosophers from a wide range of backgrounds to learn more about their research. This podcast is produced by the Knowledge in Crisis project, which is supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) under the Clusters of Excellence programme (10.55776/COE3). We're a collaboration between the University of Graz, the University of Salzburg, and the University of Vienna, led by Central European University. Learn more at www.knowledgeincrisis.com.CC-BY-4.0 Philosophy Social Sciences
Episodes
  • E6 — Explanation (with Benjamin Schnieder)

    E6 — Explanation (with Benjamin Schnieder)
    Apr 16 2026
    Every parent knows the moment. You give an explanation, and back comes the follow-up: but why? It turns out, that relentless childhood question contains more value than we know. Explanations are how we make sense of the world — connecting causes to effects, tracing events back to their origins. But is that really all they are? And does every question actually have an answer, or are some things just... the way they are? In this episode, hosted by Paulina Sliwa (University of Vienna) and Gregor Greslehner (University of Vienna), we dig into the surprising depth hiding behind everyday explanations. We explore where we use different types of explanations for different purposes, whether an explanation can still be useful even if it isn't strictly true, and how to improve in telling a genuinely good explanation from one that just sounds convincing. From brute facts, mathematics, and how & why questions to the foundations of understanding, this is a conversation about the questions beneath the questions Benjamin Schnieder is Professor of Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Vienna. He is also a Key Researcher for Knowledge in Crisis. This episode was edited by Anni Räty and mixed by Tuomo Tiisala. Music by Tuomo Tiisala and Gregor Greslehner. Special thanks to Gregor Greslehner, Benjamin Schnieder and Paulina Sliwa. Questions or comments? Write to kic@ceu.edu. Knowledge in Crisis: The Podcast is supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) under the Clusters of Excellence programme (10.55776/COE3). Check out www.knowledgeincrisis.com to learn more.
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    16 mins
  • E5 — The AGI Question (with Tim Crane and Simon Rippon)

    E5 — The AGI Question (with Tim Crane and Simon Rippon)
    Mar 19 2026
    What does it really mean to create a machine that thinks? Postdoctoral Researcher Audrey Powers (University of Vienna) speaks with philosophers Tim Crane and Simon Rippon (Central European University) to unpack the concept of Artificial General Intelligence — what it is, whether it exists, and whether it ever could. From programming, neural networks and reinforcement learning to questions of consciousness, cognition, and similarities between human and machine processing, the conversation ranges across some of the deepest problems in philosophy of mind. And with so much hype surrounding AI, they ask: is AGI a genuine scientific frontier, or just the latest marketing exercise — and what are the dangers either way? Tim Crane is Professor of Philosophy and Pro-Rector for Foresight and Analysis at Central European University. He is also the Director of Research for Knowledge in Crisis. Simon Rippon is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Central European University. He is also a Key Researcher for Knowledge in Crisis. This episode was produced by Jason Means and edited by Anni Räty. Music by Tuomo Tiisala and Gregor Greslehner. Special thanks to Tim Crane, Audrey Powers and Simon Rippon. Questions or comments? Write to kic@ceu.edu. Knowledge in Crisis: The Podcast is supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) under the Clusters of Excellence programme (10.55776/COE3). Check out www.knowledgeincrisis.com to learn more.
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    26 mins
  • E4 — Objectivity (with Sophie Veigl)

    E4 — Objectivity (with Sophie Veigl)
    Feb 19 2026
    In this episode, we ask whether academic philosophy is facing a crisis of knowledge — and what that might mean for science. What does objectivity really mean today? Is it a timeless ideal, or a set of established standards shaped by particular perspectives? If we all speak from our own positionality, can we ever be truly objective? Our guest Sophie Veigl (University of Vienna) explores the idea that science doesn’t deliver truth as a finished product, but operates as a process — one that is reliable, yet not without weaknesses. Could philosophy play a stronger role within the sciences, helping to address structural problems and shift the conversation away from abstract ideals like “pure objectivity” and toward a more honest engagement with positionality? Tune in for a conversation about knowledge, perspective, and whether rethinking objectivity might actually strengthen — rather than undermine — science. This episode was produced by Jason Means and edited by Anni Räty. Music by Tuomo Tiisala and Gregor Greslehner. Special thanks to Matt Dougherty, Gregor Greslehner and Sophie Veigl. Questions or comments? Write to kic@ceu.edu. Knowledge in Crisis: The Podcast is supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) under the Clusters of Excellence programme (10.55776/COE3). Check out www.knowledgeincrisis.com to learn more.
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    27 mins
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