Christopher Hitchens: podcast appearances and interviews

Christopher Eric Hitchens was a British and American author and journalist known for his work in philosophy, politics, and religion. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1970 with a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics. Hitchens gained prominence as a columnist and speaker and was recognized as one of the Four Horsemen of New Atheism, alongside Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett. His epistemological razor, which states that what can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence, has been influential in philosophical and legal discussions.

Throughout his career, Hitchens wrote for publications such as The Nation and Vanity Fair after moving to the United States in the early 1980s. His political views evolved significantly over time; he was initially a democratic socialist and member of socialist organizations including the Trotskyist International Socialists. He was critical of American foreign policy in several instances, including the Vietnam War, Chile, and East Timor, but supported interventions such as the Kosovo and Bosnian wars. Hitchens emphasized the importance of the American Revolution and Constitution in his political philosophy. His position on social issues was complex; he opposed abortion in most cases, supported gun rights and same-sex marriage, but opposed the war on drugs. His political stance in the 2000s was viewed as shifting to the right, especially after 9/11, and he supported the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, endorsing President George W. Bush's re-election in 2004.

As an antitheist, Hitchens believed that all religions are false, harmful, and authoritarian. He championed free expression, scientific skepticism, and the separation of church and state. Hitchens authored 18 books, including critical biographies of Mother Teresa, Bill Clinton, and Henry Kissinger. He died in December 2011 from complications related to esophageal cancer at the age of 62.