William Gildea
@williamgildea.bsky.social
Human equality, justice, animal ethics. Researcher in philosophy at McGill and the Centre for Research in Ethics in Montreal.
NEW episode: why envy can be *good*, according to @saraprotasi.bsky.social. Our conversation covers envy's role in self-improvement, self-esteem, self-acceptance, love, friendship, inequality and racism. Listen here:
linktr.ee/surprisinget...
linktr.ee/surprisinget...
Surprising Ethics | Instagram | Linktree
View surprisingethics’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!
linktr.ee
December 1, 2025 at 2:34 PM
NEW episode: why envy can be *good*, according to @saraprotasi.bsky.social. Our conversation covers envy's role in self-improvement, self-esteem, self-acceptance, love, friendship, inequality and racism. Listen here:
linktr.ee/surprisinget...
linktr.ee/surprisinget...
If #vegan milk/meat is 'fake', something fakes are better than the real thing.
Fake, computer-game murders are better than the real deal. Being hit by fake bullets tends to be better, etc
Fake, computer-game murders are better than the real deal. Being hit by fake bullets tends to be better, etc
November 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
If #vegan milk/meat is 'fake', something fakes are better than the real thing.
Fake, computer-game murders are better than the real deal. Being hit by fake bullets tends to be better, etc
Fake, computer-game murders are better than the real deal. Being hit by fake bullets tends to be better, etc
Will AIs have rights and become conscious? My podcast has a new episode!
Hear from both sides of the debate on digital consciousness, as we ask whether we should stop AI development right now to prevent vulnerable AIs coming to be. linktr.ee/surprisinget...
Hear from both sides of the debate on digital consciousness, as we ask whether we should stop AI development right now to prevent vulnerable AIs coming to be. linktr.ee/surprisinget...
Surprising Ethics | Instagram | Linktree
View surprisingethics’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!
linktr.ee
November 3, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Will AIs have rights and become conscious? My podcast has a new episode!
Hear from both sides of the debate on digital consciousness, as we ask whether we should stop AI development right now to prevent vulnerable AIs coming to be. linktr.ee/surprisinget...
Hear from both sides of the debate on digital consciousness, as we ask whether we should stop AI development right now to prevent vulnerable AIs coming to be. linktr.ee/surprisinget...
Wow, semi-silent fireworks, great for dogs, cats, birds and all animals (and many humans...).
November 2, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Wow, semi-silent fireworks, great for dogs, cats, birds and all animals (and many humans...).
Reposted by William Gildea
Excerpt:
"In the wild, pigs live in small family units. Typically, two to four sows who bear a family relation live together with their piglets. These groups, known as ‘sounders’, generally avoid one another to reduce conflict. "
"In the wild, pigs live in small family units. Typically, two to four sows who bear a family relation live together with their piglets. These groups, known as ‘sounders’, generally avoid one another to reduce conflict. "
I wrote this, asking: is this big UK supermarket producing the 'happy, natural, ethically raised' pigs it now claims it is? theecologist.org/2025/oct/31/...
October 31, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Excerpt:
"In the wild, pigs live in small family units. Typically, two to four sows who bear a family relation live together with their piglets. These groups, known as ‘sounders’, generally avoid one another to reduce conflict. "
"In the wild, pigs live in small family units. Typically, two to four sows who bear a family relation live together with their piglets. These groups, known as ‘sounders’, generally avoid one another to reduce conflict. "
I wrote this, asking: is this big UK supermarket producing the 'happy, natural, ethically raised' pigs it now claims it is? theecologist.org/2025/oct/31/...
October 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM
I wrote this, asking: is this big UK supermarket producing the 'happy, natural, ethically raised' pigs it now claims it is? theecologist.org/2025/oct/31/...
New episode today: Would less liberty be better for us? My guest Sarah Conly says absolutely yes: we need the state to make harmful choices illegal.
She's a formidable proponent of paternalism and we have a cracking conversation for you: linktr.ee/surprisinget...
She's a formidable proponent of paternalism and we have a cracking conversation for you: linktr.ee/surprisinget...
Surprising Ethics | Instagram | Linktree
View surprisingethics’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!
linktr.ee
October 1, 2025 at 6:32 PM
New episode today: Would less liberty be better for us? My guest Sarah Conly says absolutely yes: we need the state to make harmful choices illegal.
She's a formidable proponent of paternalism and we have a cracking conversation for you: linktr.ee/surprisinget...
She's a formidable proponent of paternalism and we have a cracking conversation for you: linktr.ee/surprisinget...
Jesus, now even Outlook has introduced an AI function to summarise emails.
Can't we just be left to read the actual goddam email in peace -- rather than communicate through robots?
Can't we just be left to read the actual goddam email in peace -- rather than communicate through robots?
September 24, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Jesus, now even Outlook has introduced an AI function to summarise emails.
Can't we just be left to read the actual goddam email in peace -- rather than communicate through robots?
Can't we just be left to read the actual goddam email in peace -- rather than communicate through robots?
The one thing that's not saving me time is Adobe reader incessantly popping up with the view that "this document seems long: save time with a summary". Can we just not have tech companies continually trying to get people not to actually... read, and engage properly with ideas?
September 4, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The one thing that's not saving me time is Adobe reader incessantly popping up with the view that "this document seems long: save time with a summary". Can we just not have tech companies continually trying to get people not to actually... read, and engage properly with ideas?
Reposted by William Gildea
Launch day is finally here!
New podcast all about surprising ideas on #ethics and political values. Tune in for philosophers' hottest takes! 3 launch eps to choose from here: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com
New podcast all about surprising ideas on #ethics and political values. Tune in for philosophers' hottest takes! 3 launch eps to choose from here: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com
Surprising Ethics
The most interesting ideas from ethics and political theory. Where every episode contains a surprise.Surprising Ethics is an accessible philosophy podcast exploring the striking ways in which philosop...
surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com
September 1, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Launch day is finally here!
New podcast all about surprising ideas on #ethics and political values. Tune in for philosophers' hottest takes! 3 launch eps to choose from here: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com
New podcast all about surprising ideas on #ethics and political values. Tune in for philosophers' hottest takes! 3 launch eps to choose from here: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com
Reposted by William Gildea
The trailer has now launched!! Check out this 1 minute into to Surprising Ethics, a new podcast about philosophers' most surprising ethical ideas: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com
Surprising Ethics
The most interesting ideas from ethics and political theory. Where every episode contains a surprise.Surprising Ethics is an accessible philosophy podcast exploring the striking ways in which philosop...
surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com
August 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The trailer has now launched!! Check out this 1 minute into to Surprising Ethics, a new podcast about philosophers' most surprising ethical ideas: surprisingethics.buzzsprout.com
Reposted by William Gildea
Brand new podcast launching soon! Bringing you the most surprising ideas in ethics and political philosophy. With short episodes by me, Dr William Gildea, and long-form interviews with philosophers on their contributions.
August 19, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Brand new podcast launching soon! Bringing you the most surprising ideas in ethics and political philosophy. With short episodes by me, Dr William Gildea, and long-form interviews with philosophers on their contributions.
Reposted by William Gildea
Let’s try another method. Phase out zoos.
There is no ‘gentle’ death for a healthy animal that doesn’t want to die.
There is no ‘gentle’ death for a healthy animal that doesn’t want to die.
Pets to be fed whole to zoo animals. For "animal welfare" reasons. The predators "need" this, apparently. What about the needs/welfare of the pets slaughtered? It's shocking zookeepers could be so inconsistent. There's no ethics without consistency.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Danish zoo asks pet owners to donate rabbits and horses to feed its predators
Zoological institution offers to euthanise animals that need to be put down so ‘nothing goes to waste’
www.theguardian.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Let’s try another method. Phase out zoos.
There is no ‘gentle’ death for a healthy animal that doesn’t want to die.
There is no ‘gentle’ death for a healthy animal that doesn’t want to die.
Pets to be fed whole to zoo animals. For "animal welfare" reasons. The predators "need" this, apparently. What about the needs/welfare of the pets slaughtered? It's shocking zookeepers could be so inconsistent. There's no ethics without consistency.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Danish zoo asks pet owners to donate rabbits and horses to feed its predators
Zoological institution offers to euthanise animals that need to be put down so ‘nothing goes to waste’
www.theguardian.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Pets to be fed whole to zoo animals. For "animal welfare" reasons. The predators "need" this, apparently. What about the needs/welfare of the pets slaughtered? It's shocking zookeepers could be so inconsistent. There's no ethics without consistency.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
This kind of action is just so *absurdly* piecemeal. Why should anyone be able to shoot a bear in the face for fun? Maybe the bill is better than nothing but come on.
U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Michigan's 13th Congressional District, is sponsoring a bill that would ban hunters from intentionally placing food on federal public lands to attract bears. 👏
Federal bill banning hunters from bear baiting on public lands introduced by Michigan representative
The Don't Feed the Bears Act was introduced to the U.S. House by Rep. Thanedar on Wednesday.
www.cbsnews.com
July 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
This kind of action is just so *absurdly* piecemeal. Why should anyone be able to shoot a bear in the face for fun? Maybe the bill is better than nothing but come on.
Reposted by William Gildea
🗳️ UK to lower voting age in national elections.
Our colleague, Dr Isabella Trifan says, "This is a step forward—not because 16-year-olds pay taxes, but because they’re citizens affected by policy and as capable of voting as many adults are.”
#PoliSky #YouthVote #Democracy #VotingRights #EssexGov
Our colleague, Dr Isabella Trifan says, "This is a step forward—not because 16-year-olds pay taxes, but because they’re citizens affected by policy and as capable of voting as many adults are.”
#PoliSky #YouthVote #Democracy #VotingRights #EssexGov
The voting age will be lowered to 16 for all UK elections as part of an overhaul of the country’s voting system https://on.ft.com/4lznJVv
July 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
🗳️ UK to lower voting age in national elections.
Our colleague, Dr Isabella Trifan says, "This is a step forward—not because 16-year-olds pay taxes, but because they’re citizens affected by policy and as capable of voting as many adults are.”
#PoliSky #YouthVote #Democracy #VotingRights #EssexGov
Our colleague, Dr Isabella Trifan says, "This is a step forward—not because 16-year-olds pay taxes, but because they’re citizens affected by policy and as capable of voting as many adults are.”
#PoliSky #YouthVote #Democracy #VotingRights #EssexGov
Every time I go to the watch mender's/key cutter's I get a new story about how amazing/underappreciated animals are. Today's: "This swan flaps her wings at me in my kitchen to ask for bread. I give it once she beats her wings. Then she cuts it up for her little ones". Heartwarming
July 3, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Every time I go to the watch mender's/key cutter's I get a new story about how amazing/underappreciated animals are. Today's: "This swan flaps her wings at me in my kitchen to ask for bread. I give it once she beats her wings. Then she cuts it up for her little ones". Heartwarming
Interesting - Guardian reports some UK farms will be taken entirely out of food production under plans to make space for nature.
Environment secretary added this is so “you maintain outputs, or even increase outputs while increasing the space for nature" by increasing productivity on the best land
Environment secretary added this is so “you maintain outputs, or even increase outputs while increasing the space for nature" by increasing productivity on the best land
July 3, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Interesting - Guardian reports some UK farms will be taken entirely out of food production under plans to make space for nature.
Environment secretary added this is so “you maintain outputs, or even increase outputs while increasing the space for nature" by increasing productivity on the best land
Environment secretary added this is so “you maintain outputs, or even increase outputs while increasing the space for nature" by increasing productivity on the best land
Dear Bluesky, is 'Surprising Ethics' a decent name for a podcast? I am launching on September 4th and this is the provisional name. Any better way to convey the idea of an ethics/political philosohpy podcast that promises a surprise in each episode? Pls let me know, thank you!!
June 26, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Dear Bluesky, is 'Surprising Ethics' a decent name for a podcast? I am launching on September 4th and this is the provisional name. Any better way to convey the idea of an ethics/political philosohpy podcast that promises a surprise in each episode? Pls let me know, thank you!!
It is terrifying to suppose that anyone believes the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were morally justified. But there are few limits to the things people will believe when their in-out group sense is aggressive enough.
June 25, 2025 at 1:18 PM
It is terrifying to suppose that anyone believes the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were morally justified. But there are few limits to the things people will believe when their in-out group sense is aggressive enough.
Just learned that AI can't divide one number by another. Can anyone explain why, to an AI novice? Isn't this the sort of thing it should do easily? (Any calculator can do it...).
June 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Just learned that AI can't divide one number by another. Can anyone explain why, to an AI novice? Isn't this the sort of thing it should do easily? (Any calculator can do it...).
Zero mention of the ethical implications of killing octopuses, despite widespread opposition to octopus farming. Great joined-up thinking from the Guardian
May 27, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Zero mention of the ethical implications of killing octopuses, despite widespread opposition to octopus farming. Great joined-up thinking from the Guardian
Far-right candidate for Romanian president George Simion went on TV in France, said some silly things and spoke Fran-Romanian (finishing sentences in Romanian). Then his opponent in Sunday's election met Macron, changed the conversation to French, and spoke....French
May 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Far-right candidate for Romanian president George Simion went on TV in France, said some silly things and spoke Fran-Romanian (finishing sentences in Romanian). Then his opponent in Sunday's election met Macron, changed the conversation to French, and spoke....French