Sep 12 2023 85 mins
“What to eat?” This is a question we ask ourselves several times a day.
The answer seems simple enough, but there are endless factors that drive this decision: your values, budget, time, mood, and last but not least – taste.
To answer this question, Martin Cohen, PhD, taps into philosophy. Dr. Cohen is a British philosopher who blends “psychological and social studies with philosophical theory” and aims to explain complex problems in easy-to-understand ways.
His latest book is I Think Therefore I Eat: The World’s Greatest Minds Tackle the Food Question. Throughout this book, Dr. Cohen uses the wisdom of philosophers to answer the question: “What to eat?”
During this conversation with James Connolly, my co-host, Martin discusses:
Romanticizing the European view of food
Why independent media isn’t that independent
Pythagoras and vegetarianism
Global diets are shifting away from fresh foods
The end of small farms
The politics of climate change
Rather watch this episode on YouTube? Check it out here: Episode 264: Martin Cohen, PhD
Resources:
Sustainable Dish Episode 191: Frédéric Leroy, PhD
I Think Therefore I Eat: The World’s Greatest Minds Tackle the Food Question
British Pathe: Wonder Drug
Sylvester Graham
Panopticon
George Monbiot
Connect with Martin:
Website: Martin Cohen, Writer and Philosopher
Twitter: @docmartincohen
Episode Credits:
Thank you to all who’ve made this show possible. Our hosts are Diana Rodgers and James Connolly. Our producer is Emily Soape. And, of course, we are grateful for our sponsors, Global Food Justice Alliance members, and listeners.
If you believe in making sure that people all over the world should have access to nutritious food, please join my mission through my non-profit, the Global Food Justice Alliance. All sustaining members get early access to ad-free podcasts plus free downloads, and you’ll be helping get healthy protein like meat, fish, and eggs to food-insecure kids. That’s sustainabledish.com/join.
And if you’re looking for a guide to get your diet back on track so you feel your very best, plus learn more about meat’s role in a healthy, sustainable, and ethical food system, check out Sustainavore. This is my signature course to help you eat for your health, the planet, and your values. For more information, head to sustainavore.com and sign up!
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