The Philosopher's Walk with Frédéric Bouchard

Frédéric Bouchard is philosopher of science and biology at l'Université de Montréal, and the perfect companion for a walk through the Jean Talon Market. His research focuses on the theoretical foundations of evolutionary biology and ecology as well as on the relationship between science and society. The result is a fascinating discussion about mushrooms, unpasteurized goat cheese and honey bees, and how they can make you think about humankind's place in the universe in a whole different way.**This episode originally aired September 23, 2016.

Ideas2:25Philosopher Frédéric Bouchard on the history of how much of Western philosophy has looked at man’s place in nature

Philosopher Frédéric Bouchard on the history of how much of Western philosophy has looked at man’s place in nature


 

For centuries, we thought we humans were unique, and that we towered over non-human animals because of our ability to speak, or make fire, or whatever.

But Professor Bouchard is out to disrupt that triumphalist thinking: "If you look at broccoli, or if you look at cauliflower, or if you look at the ginger, or whatever, you're looking around and you really try to understand what makes them unique, you realize that each species is unique. And that helps us understand that human beings are not superior to other species. We're not that special -- we're just different."   
 

In ancient Athens, philosophers like Aristotle discussed their theories about the origins and complexities of the world as they walked the city streets and markets with their students. Following their lead, producer David Gutnick accompanied Frédéric Bouchard on a visit to Montreal's Jean Talon Market. As they looked at heaping piles of tomatoes, tables piled with mushrooms and coolers full of squid, they discussed questions that fascinate Bouchard: what exactly is an individual? Does consciousness or intelligence make a species more successful? What can termites and fungus and quaking aspen teach us about ourselves?

Professor Bouchard is the co-editor of From Groups to Individuals - Evolution and Emerging Individuality. 

Web Extra | Watch Frédéric Bouchard's TEDx Talk: Why do we think we're so much better than other species?

Reading List & Related Websites:

• Frédéric Bouchard
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• Frédéric Bouchard on Twitter
   
• Being human is a gut feeling - from the journal Biome

• ​Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy article on Fitness