Share

Lives Well Lived
MURALI DORAISWAMY: the complexity of mental illness
Murali Doraiswamy is Professor of Psychiatry and Professor in Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine where he is a physician scientist at the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences.
This conversation explores the complex definitions and criteria for diagnosing mental illness and its prevalence worldwide. Prof Doraiswamy discusses contributing factors such as economic instability, cultural differences, and the impact of social media on mental health. Peter & Kasia discuss the role of psychiatry and the integration of positive psychology in improving individual well-being, alongside the ethics and challenges of treating terminal illnesses and the quality of life in dementia patients. Prof Doraiswamy talks about blending Eastern and Western approaches to understanding happiness and mental health, and the evolving perspectives on happiness through different stages of life.
If you are enjoying this podcast, consider supporting us over at PATREON
Keep up to date with Peter!
Website: www.petersinger.info
Substack: https://boldreasoningwithpetersinger.substack.com/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@peter_singer
Keep up to date with Kasia!
https://www.facebook.com/katarzyna.delazariradek
Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett
Audio Producer: Stuart Buckland
Thanks to our volunteer researcher Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi
Special Thanks to Suzi Jamil
More episodes
View all episodes
22. CYAN BANISTER: from homelessness to angel investor
01:13:11||Season 2, Ep. 22Cyan Banister is an angel investor and entrepreneur renowned for her early investments in transformative tech companies such as Uber, SpaceX, DeepMind, and Postmates. Banister's path to success was unconventional, she experienced homelessness as a teenager and dropped out of high school.Through self-education and determination, she became a self-taught engineer, holding key roles at a cybersecurity startup acquired by Cisco for $850 million.Cyan emphasises themes of empathy, love, and personal growth, and the healing power of philosophy in overcoming adversity and trauma.Learn more about CyanKeep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!If you would like to support the podcast please consider our PatreonExecutive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi, and Chris van Ryn!And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!21. SLAVOJ ZIZEK: unleashed
01:24:12||Season 2, Ep. 21Slavoj Žižek is a Slovenian philosopher and cultural theorist known for his provocative blend of Marxism, Hegelian philosophy, and Lacanian psychoanalysis, he remains one of the most influential and polarising intellectuals in contemporary thought.Slajov gets into several complex and thought-provoking topics including but not limited to; the catastrophe of love, political philosophy, critiques of both historical and contemporary interpretations of communism, and ultimately whether the pursuit of happiness should be the goal in life.Keep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!If you would like to support the podcast please consider our PatreonExecutive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi, and Chris van Ryn!And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!20. CASS SUNSTEIN: the nudge towards a better future
01:03:27||Season 2, Ep. 20Cass Sunstein is a prominent American legal scholar, behavioural economist, and professor at Harvard Law School. Cass explores the concept of nudging and libertarian paternalism, addressing ethical concerns around manipulation and autonomy. He reflects on climate justice, the moral duties of high-emission countries, and global accountability in climate policy.Learn more about Cass and read his books! Keep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!If you would like to support the podcast please consider our PatreonExecutive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi, and Chris van Ryn!And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!19. LAWRENCE KRAUSS: our cosmic significance in an indifferent universe
01:06:43||Season 2, Ep. 19Lawrence Krauss is a theoretical physicist and cosmologist renowned for his work in particle physics, cosmology, and science communication. Krauss explores the idea of cosmic insignificance and the absence of inherent meaning in the universe, emphasising the importance of appreciating the rarity of life, whilst exploring fundamental questions about the universe and human existence.Learn more about Lawrence and listen to The Origins PodcastKeep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!If you would like to support the podcast please consider our PatreonExecutive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi, and Chris van Ryn!And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!18. RUTGER BREGMAN: the pursuit of moral ambition
01:09:55||Season 2, Ep. 18Rutger Bregman is a Dutch historian, author, and public intellectual renowned for his progressive ideas on social and economic reform.Rutger emphasises that living well means taking meaningful, practical action to address global issues—not just raising awareness. Drawing from his books Humankind and his initiative The School for Moral Ambition, he advocates for channeling ambition into social impact, encouraging career shifts toward solving major problems. He promotes ideas like universal basic income, effective altruism, and combating factory farming, while exploring how power dynamics influence moral choices. Watch the Profit For Good conference live stream from Amsterdam on June 11Learn more about Rutger and read his books!Keep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!If you would like to support the podcast please consider our PatreonExecutive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi, and Chris van Ryn!And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!17. ELIZABETH BARNES: the minority body and the ethics of disability
57:11||Season 2, Ep. 17Elizabeth Barnes is an author and Professor of philosophy at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, she reflects on her unconventional journey into philosophy, and her experience living with disabilities. Elizabeth questions conventional views on disability, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of wellbeing, and shares how philosophy helps her find comfort and meaning in life’s challenges.Learn more about Elizabeth and read her books!Donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's ResearchDonate to The Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson'sKeep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!If you would like to support the podcast please consider our PatreonExecutive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi, and Chris van Ryn!And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!16. THOMAS NAGEL: the mind and the universe
01:03:24||Season 2, Ep. 16Thomas Nagel is an American philosopher known for exploring consciousness, ethics, and the limits of scientific explanation. He is best known for his essay "What Is It Like to Be a Bat?" and his critique of materialism in Mind and Cosmos.Thomas discusses how he was drawn to philosophy, he elaborates on the major themes of his work, especially the challenge of understanding the subjective experience, and calls for a broader view of reality that encompasses both mental and physical dimensions. Beyond philosophy of mind, Nagel discusses ethical issues, such as the difficulty of comparing the suffering of different species and the tensions between impartial moral theories and personal loyalties.Read: What Is It Like to Be a Bat?Keep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika ChechiAnd special thanks to Suzi Jamil15. ARTHUR C. BROOKS: the pillars of happiness
01:15:40||Season 2, Ep. 15Arthur C. Brooks is an author and academic, he has written 13 books and is a columnist for the Atlantic with 'How to Build a Life'Arthur leads this discussion exploring the concept of happiness from interdisciplinary perspectives, bridging philosophy, neuroscience, and behavioural science. Happiness is defined through the components of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning. Arthur address the dilemma of constantly chasing goals and the paradox of the hedonic treadmill.Read Arthur's column in the Atlantic: How to Build a Life Read 'There's a Lesson to Learn from Daniel Kahneman's Death' in the New York TimesKeep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika ChechiAnd special thanks to Suzi Jamil14. ANTONIO DAMASIO: understanding consciousness
01:08:43||Season 2, Ep. 14Antonio Damasio is a neuroscientist renowned for his extensive research into the neural underpinnings of emotions, decision-making, and consciousnessAntonio reflects on his groundbreaking work on the brain, the impact of brain injuries on behaviour, and the connection between physical states and mental processes. Antonio speaks on the ethical implications of neuroscience, the future of artificial intelligence, and the importance of art, music, and relationships in leading a meaningful life.Keep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika ChechiAnd special thanks to Suzi Jamil