In this episode, philosopher Bryan van Norden joins the ResponsAbility Podcast to explore the importance of intercultural philosophy in a globalized world. Drawing on decades of work in Chinese and comparative philosophy, he reflects on the persistent Eurocentrism of academic philosophy and the gradual shift toward a more inclusive canon. The conversation highlights how traditions such as Confucianism contribute rich insights into ethical cultivation, virtue, and practical wisdom, offering perspectives highly relevant to professional life. Bryan also discusses how dialogue across traditions deepens philosophical understanding, challenges assumptions, and fosters more responsible and meaningful ways of living. The episode ultimately invites listeners to rethink philosophy as a genuinely global, dialogical practice with practical implications for education, society, and personal development.

00:00:54 – Motivation and background: how Bryan became interested in Chinese philosophy

00:02:44 – Eurocentrism in philosophy: developments and changes in academia

00:06:05 – Why study Chinese philosophy today

00:08:33 – Intercultural philosophy: value of dialogue between traditions

00:11:44 – Comparative insights: what becomes visible across traditions

00:16:20 – Application: relevance of intercultural philosophy for professional studies

00:19:24 – Exclusion of non-Western philosophy: historical and philosophical reasons

00:22:45 – Global challenges: what intercultural philosophy can contribute

00:24:33 – ResponsAbility and virtue: shared ideas across traditions

00:28:04 – Anti-intellectualism: consequences of rejecting philosophy and science

00:32:52 – Living well: how philosophy can guide meaningful and responsible lives

Literature:

• van Norden, Bryan. 2019.Classical Chinese For Everyone:A Guide For Absolute Beginner. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2019.
• van Norden, Bryan and Justin Tiwald (eds)- 2014. Readings in Later Chinese Philosophy: Han to the 20th Century. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing,
• van Norden, Bryan. 2011. Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2011.
• Van Norden, Bryan. 2009. Translator, The Essential Mengzi: Selected Passages with Traditional Commentary. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2009.
• Van Norden, Bryan. 2008. Translator, Mengzi: With Selections from Traditional Commentaries. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing.
• Van Norden, Bryan. 2007. Virtue Ethics and Consequentialism in Early Chinese Philosophy. New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Van Norden, Bryan and Philip J. Ivanhoe. (eds) 2005. Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy. Second ed. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing,
• Van Norden, Bryan. (ed) 2001. Confucius and the "Analects": New Essays. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
• Van Norden, Bryan (ed.) 1996. The Ways of Confucianism by David S. Nivison. Chicago: Open Court Press, 1996. Chinese translation published as 儒家之道 : 中国哲学之探讨 (Nanjing : Jiangsu renmin chubanshe, 2006).

In this episode, we speak with philosopher and renowned podcaster Peter Adamson, professor at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and King’s College London, and creator of the widely acclaimed History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps, which has reached over 50 million downloads. Peter reflects on his ambitious project to rethink the history of philosophy beyond canonical narratives, integrating overlooked traditions, women philosophers, and global perspectives. Together, we explore how different philosophical traditions—European, Indian, and Chinese—offer both shared insights and striking differences in understanding knowledge, ethics, and the art of living. The conversation also addresses the limits of the philosophical canon, the role of Bildung and moral formation, and how philosophy can cultivate practical wisdom and ethical reflection in professional life.

00:01:11 – Meaning and ambition of “history of philosophy without any gaps”

00:03:46 – How the project has changed Adamson’s own understanding of philosophy

00:06:32 – Cross-cultural views on human self-understanding and the art of living

00:10:39 – Inclusion of women philosophers and gender gaps in the history of philosophy

00:13:18 – Whether women philosophers contribute distinct themes or perspectives

00:16:15 – Alternative epistemologies across cultures and challenges to the Western canon

00:21:35 – Rethinking and expanding philosophy curricula beyond the canon

00:26:14 – Philosophy and Bildung: shaping the self through philosophical traditions

00:28:49 – Cultivating practical wisdom / ResponsAbility across traditions

00:34:04 – Relevance of world philosophies for professional practice and applied fields

00:37:09 – Impact and applicability of the podcast on listeners and their lives

Literature:

• A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps: Africana Philosophy From Ancient Egypt to the Nineteenth Century (Book 7), Adamson, P., 2025, Chike Jeffers, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps: Byzantine and Renaissance Philosophy (Book 6), Adamson, P., 2022, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps: Medieval Philosophy (Book 4), Adamson, P., 2019, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps: Classical Indian Philosophy (Book 5), Adamson, P. & Ganeri, J., 2020, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps: Philosophy in the Islamic World (Book 3), Adamson, P. S., 7 Jul 2016, Oxford University Press.
• A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps: Philosophy in the Hellenistic and Roman Worlds (Book 2), Adamson, P. S., 2015, Oxford University Press.
• A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps: Classical Philosophy (Book 1), Adamson, P. S., 2014, Oxford University Press.

In this episode, we welcome Lydia Amir, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Tufts University, pioneer of philosophical practice, and a leading voice in transformative philosophy and the philosophy of humor. Lydia reflects on her lifelong commitment to bringing philosophy beyond the academy and making it responsive to the needs of communities and the challenges of our time. We explore her understanding of philosophers’ responsibility, the role of philosophical practice in professional education, and her distinctive claim that humor is a key bridge between theory and lived transformation. The conversation also highlights her work on philosophy as an alternative form of spirituality grounded in reason and dialogue. Sandra Radinger, guest researcher and philosophical practitioner, joins the dialogue, contributing perspectives from her work in philosophical practice and palliative care, and deepening the discussion on transformation, responsibility, and lived philosophy.

00:01:29 – Entry into philosophical practice & academic life journey

00:05:00 – Positioning philosophical practice among different approaches

00:06:53 – Responsibility of philosophers & philosophy beyond academia

00:11:23 – Philosophy and the “needs of the epoch” / unusable philosophy

00:13:16 – Philosophy’s contribution to professional education

00:15:05 – Relationship between philosophy and humor

00:19:31 – Necessity of humor for philosophizing

00:20:43 – Playfulness and the figure of the philosopher

00:25:05 – Transformative philosophy and its core ideas

00:29:18 – Role of the philosophical practitioner in personal transformation

00:32:57 – Current frontiers and future of philosophical practice

00:36:40 – Hopes for the future of lived philosophy

00:41:12 – Final reflections on promoting philosophy worldwide

Literature:

• Amir, L. (ed.) (2015): Humor and the Good Life in Modern Philosophy. Albany: State University of New York Press.
• Amir, L. (ed.) (2017): New Frontiers in Philosophical Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• Amir, L. (2017): Rethinking Philosophers’ Responsibility. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• Amir, L. (2024): The Legacy of Nietzsche’s Philosophy of Laughter. Routledge.
• Amir, L. (2025): Handbook of Transformative Philosophy. Springer.