Philosophy Smash with Henry is my YouTube channel where I talk to leading philosophers about topics that matter.
Hear from world experts.
Every interview is with a leading expert in the topic. How should we treat animals? Why do people think the world is flat? Could the world be conscious? Will today’s science always be true? Do we have a human right to the internet? And lots more…
Designed for classrooms.
The videos can be watched on their own, but each one also comes with a lesson plan and other materials so they can be used in classrooms. They are primarily aimed at the 9-13 (Key Stage 2-3) age group, but lots of them are suitable for older age groups too.
I would love your feedback! Click here to get in touch.
Email: philosophysmash@gmail.com
Twitter: @htaylorphil
Bluesky: @htaylorphil.bsky.social
Feedback or requests for future topics are always welcome!
If you’re hungry for more philosophy resources for schools, also check out The Philosophy Garden!
Click here for a Daily Nous article about the project.
Browse videos:
What is Philosophy Smash with Henry?
A short intro video by me about the project.
How should we treat animals?
Heather Browning is a philosopher at the University of Southampton, and she used to be a Zookeeper! She talks about whether it’s okay to eat meat, and the ethics of keeping animals in zoos.
Why do people think the world is flat?
Kathleen Murphy-Hollies is a philosopher at the University of Birmingham. She chats about why people believe conspiracy theories.
How do we know what an animal is thinking?
Ali Boyle is a philosopher at the London School of Economics. She explains how we can get into the heads of animals, and what kinds of memories animals might have.
Will today’s science always be true?
Peter Vickers is a philosopher at the University of Durham. He chats about which scientific theories we know are true, and which might change in the future.
Can robots be cultured?
Masoumeh ‘Iran’ Mansouri is a computer scientist at the University of Birmingham. She chats about the dangers of designing robots that act differently depending on the human’s cultural background.
Are rocks conscious?
Philip Goff is a philosopher at the University of Durham. He chats about whether the world itself might be conscious, and what religion has to say about this.
How do you know what I’m doing?
Chiara Brozzo is a philosopher at the University of Birmingham. She chats about how we understand each other’s actions, and how we read minds.
Philosophy and Surrogacy.
Herjeet Marway is a philosopher at the University of Birmingham. She chats about family ethics, and surrogacy.
What is colour?
Laura Gow is a philosopher at the University of Liverpool. She explains colour, and chats about how different animals see colours differently.
Do I have a right to the internet?
Merten Reglitz is a philosopher at the University of Birmingham. He argues that internet access is a human right.
Is prayer useful?
Martin Pickup is a philosopher at the University of Birmingham. He chats about whether it’s useful to pray to God.
Should robots look after the elderly?
Emily Kenway chats to us about care robots, and looking after the elderly.
Click here for more details about the project
Philosophy Smash with Henry is funded by an Impact Acceleration Account Grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (grant number AH/X003388/1).
The project is based in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Birmingham.
It’s in partnership with SAPERE P4C: Philosophy for Children, Communities and Colleges.
The Project Lead is me, Henry Taylor.
The original art is by Jennifer Elliott.
For advice and guidance on the project, huge thanks to members of the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education, Lisa Bortolotti, Lisa’s family, and teachers and pupils at Chadsmead Primary Academy in Lichfield.
Henry Taylor 