In this episode, I speak with Roger Crisp, Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Oxford, about the role of ethics in our personal lives and society. We start with a discussion of Aristotle’s ideas on human flourishing and compare them with utilitarian approaches that focus on maximizing happiness. Roger explains how different ethical traditions address the question of what it means to live well, and we explore whether it is possible or even desirable to measure happiness.

We also talk about the challenges of applying moral philosophy to real-world decisions, especially when theoretical ideals meet practical constraints. Roger shares examples of how moral reasoning can guide policy, personal choices, and our interactions with others. Along the way, we touch on topics such as virtue, moral motivation, and how philosophical thinking can help navigate life’s complex trade-offs.

This conversation offers an accessible look at how philosophy connects to everyday life, showing that moral theory isn’t just an academic exercise it’s a tool for understanding ourselves and making better decisions in a complicated world.