Brain in a Vat
By Brain in a Vat
Brain in a VatJun 05, 2022
Lionel Shriver on the Dangers of Manic Equality
We welcome back Lionel Shriver to discuss her latest novel, 'Mania'. Shriver explores how egalitarian principles push us to ignore obvious truths about the world, particularly in discussions on transgender rights. She critiques the Left’s inclination to measure art and literature through the lens of political virtue.
Read Shriver’s book, ‘Mania’, here: https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Mania/dp/B0CRRXCMKD/
[00:00] Introduction to Lionel Shriver's 'Mania'
[00:05] Exploring the Premise of 'Mania' and Its Social Commentary
[01:12] The Allegory of Equality and Its Implications in 'Mania'
[06:47] The Reality Problem in Modern Ideologies
[10:14] The Impact of Ideology Over Merit in Society
[16:30] Literature and Politics: The Intersection in 'Mania'
[17:50] The Role of the Author in Literature's Reception
[24:02] Navigating Political and Social Manias in Fiction and Reality
[29:11] The Obligation to Confront Widely Believed False Ideas
[30:26] Navigating Moral Responsibility in Societal Manias
[32:36] The Protagonist's Struggle: Between Ideals and Reality
[34:14] The Vulnerability of Students to Ideological Manias
[35:23] Character Study: Emery's Opportunism and Adaptability
[36:20] The Intellectuals' Complicity in Trendy Ideologies
[38:37] The Rapid Shift in Academic Norms
[40:31] Decolonizing the Curriculum: A Critical Examination
[48:46] The Dangers of Utopianism and Totalitarian Tendencies
[51:46] The Novel's Conclusion: Reflecting on the Next Mania
[56:18] Valuing Excellence, Competence, and Beauty Over Political Virtue
[01:00:16] The Role of Humor and Entertainment in Literature
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/braininavat/message
Gun Control | Eric Sampson (Rebroadcast)
A discussion on gun control, exploring philosophical, legal, and ethical aspects of the issue. Eric Samson offers a range of arguments and counterarguments on the necessity and consequences of gun laws. The conversation includes the right to self-defence, the impact of gun ownership on violence and society, victims of violent crimes, and proposals for mitigating gun violence without infringing on gun rights. Special attention is given to contrasting views on police presence, the efficacy of gun bans, and the societal implications of widespread gun ownership versus tighter control.
[00:00] Introduction to the Show and Guests [00:27] Setting the Stage with a Hypothetical Scenario [01:31] Debating Gun Control: Rights vs. Safety [04:45] Exploring the Limits of Gun Ownership [11:32] The Practical Challenges of Gun Control [15:52] Considering the Impact of Gun Bans and Buybacks [23:54] Addressing the Complexity of Gun-Related Deaths [26:22] Exploring the Impulsivity of Gun Ownership [26:49] The Debate on Gun Rights and Government Intervention [27:43] Mass Shootings: Perception vs. Reality [28:37] Moral and Aesthetic Considerations in Gun Ownership [35:20] Practical Measures and Gun Control Proposals [44:47] Addressing the Role of Police in Society and Gun Control [48:03] Philosophical Perspectives on Gun Control and Society
Ethical Quandaries of Autonomous Weapon Systems | Afonso Seixas-Nunes
We speak with Father Afonso about the use of weapon systems in warfare. The discussion explores a thought experiment involving two states at war and the deployment of autonomous drones capable of targeting terrorists without human intervention. Key topics include the legality and morality of such systems, the potential for reducing civilian casualties, the challenge of machine errors leading to war crimes, and the shifting responsibility in decision-making from humans to machines. The conversation also addresses the technological advances in AI, the issues of accountability and transparency with autonomous systems, and the philosophical implications of removing human judgment from warfare. We examine potential future scenarios where autonomous weapons could be misused by non-state actors or influenced by automation bias, raising critical questions about the control, ethics, and implications of advanced AI in military and civilian contexts.
[00:00] Introduction to the Episode and Guest Co-Host Jimmy Mullen
[00:12] Exploring Autonomous Weapon Systems with Father Afonso
[00:55] The Ethical and Legal Quandaries of Autonomous Weapons
[03:01] The Evolution of Warfare and Technology's Role
[06:15] The Human Element in Modern Warfare and AI
[08:19] The Philosophical and Legal Challenges of Autonomous Weapons
[21:08] Addressing Accountability and the Future of AI in Warfare
[30:17] Defining AI and Its Legal Challenges
[31:05] The Future of AI and Moral Agency
[31:51] AI's Emotional Intelligence and Superintelligence
[32:50] Military Strategy and AI: A New Conscience?
[34:21] The Limitations of AI in Understanding Common Sense
[36:13] The Human Element in AI Development
[37:03] Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Essence of Humanity
[39:11] AI on the Battlefield: Efficiency vs. Ethics
[43:37] The Unpredictability of AI and Warfare
[50:45] AI's Role Beyond the Battlefield
[56:27] The Collective Mind and Autonomous Systems
Paediatric Gender Medicine | Moti Gorin and Holly Lawford-Smith
We begin by imagining a world where children are separated by sex at birth and raised without exposure to traditional gender norms. We debate whether gender incongruence is a result of nature or social conditioning. We discuss gender affirming care for children, highlighting the complexity of diagnosing gender dysphoria amidst co-occurring psychiatric conditions and the potential influence of social contagion. Key insights include questioning the lack of robust evidence for the efficacy of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, and the need for comprehensive psychosocial care before considering medical transition. The Cass Review was released after we recorded our conversation, but we address similar concerns.
00:00 Introduction to the Thought Experiment
00:10 Exploring Gender Segregation and Its Impacts
02:22 Debating the Existence of Gender Incongruence
03:28 The Social Construction of Gender and Its Medical Implications
04:48 Sexual Orientation in a Segregated Society
13:37 Challenging the Medicalization of Gender Diversity
25:26 Transracialism and Personal Identity Choices
31:41 Medical Risks and Ethical Dilemmas in Gender Transition
41:38 Exploring the Regulation of Cross-Sex Hormones
42:11 The Uncertainty of Medical Interventions and Autonomy
44:49 The Complexities of Gender Dysphoria Treatment
45:43 Evaluating the Risks and Benefits of Paediatric Transition
48:39 The Debate on Consent and Medical Ethics
51:38 Addressing Comorbidities in Gender Dysphoria Treatment
58:45 The Role of Social Phenomena in Gender Dysphoria
01:11:17 Examining the Evidence and Ethics of Puberty Blockers
Peter Singer on Animal Liberation Now
Peter Singer delves into difficult ethical questions regarding animal rights, the morality of factory farming, and difficult human-related ethical dilemmas.
Singer discusses his views as a consequentialist, examining the impact of our choices on animal suffering, the ethical considerations around organ donation from anencephalic children, and the broader implications of such decisions.
What are the moral implications of eating meat from factory farms versus ethically raised animals, and cannibalism under hypothetical scenarios with no harm to others?
Singer emphasizes the need for considering the consequences of our actions, shedding light on the pressing need to reform our food production systems and make more ethical choices in our daily lives.
Peter Singer’s Substack: https://substack.com/profile/4270932-peter-singer
Peter Singer’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@peter_singer
Peter Singer’s book, ‘Animal Liberation Now’: https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Liberation-Now-Definitive-Classic/dp/0063226707
00:00 A Philosophical Dive into Animal Rights with Peter Singer
00:12 Exploring the Ethical Dilemmas of Human and Animal Lives
01:59 The Complexities of Organ Donation from Anencephalic Children
03:57 Comparing Human and Animal Rights in Medical Contexts
06:08 Consequentialism and Individual Case Analysis in Ethics
07:42 The Ethical Quandaries of Parental Consent and Medical Decisions
15:54 Navigating the Slippery Slope of Euthanasia and Assisted Dying
25:41 The Ethical Considerations of Eating Meat and Factory Farming
33:29 The Harsh Realities of Factory Farming
34:45 Ethical Considerations and the Nature of Animal Suffering
36:50 Addressing Common Objections to Animal Rights
41:12 The Impact of Individual Choices on Animal Suffering
43:43 The Role of Vegetarianism and Veganism in Reducing Demand for Meat
01:00:46 Exploring the Ethical Implications of Consuming Expired or Discarded Meat
01:04:50 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections
We Should Want Immortality | John Martin Fischer
John Martin Fischer argues that life constantly offers new experiences and perspectives that prevent it from becoming monotonous.
He delves into the idea of living a significantly extended life without aging and the implications it has on personal identity and society at large. Fischer distinguishes between true immortality and radical life extension, favoring the latter for its exit strategy options.
The conversation covers the value of life experiences, the philosophical questions around personal identity over time, and the ethical considerations of immortal life.
00:00 Introduction to Immortality with John Martin Fischer
00:16 The Library Analogy: Exploring the Concept of Living Forever
01:26 Challenging the Library Analogy: A New Perspective on Immortality
03:49 Addressing the Potential Fatigue of Immortality
06:52 The Elixir of Eternal Life: A Thought Experiment
09:03 The Philosophical Debate on the Ideal Age for Immortality
38:42 The Social and Ethical Implications of Immortality
48:34 Personal Choice vs. Societal Impact: The Immortality Dilemma
Against Immortality | Stephen Cave
Stephen Cave unpacks the ethical and practical problems of living forever. He highlights ongoing research in anti-aging and the potential societal and ecological catastrophes that could follow if humans were to achieve immortality.
Stephen weighs the individual’s desire for immortality against social implications, and the potential exacerbation of social injustices. The discussion also addresses technological possibilities like consciousness uploading and the philosophical implications of personal identity, memory, and morality.
The conversation navigates the complexities of life extension technologies, questioning the nature of what it means to live a meaningful life.
00:00 Welcome to the Immortality Debate
00:27 Exploring the Possibility of Living Forever
01:57 The Ethical Dilemmas of Immortality
05:03 Addressing Overpopulation and Societal Collapse
07:26 The Underpopulation Counterargument
09:09 The Philosophical and Practical Aspects of Life Extension
11:23 Space Colonization: A Feasible Solution?
13:01 The Ethical Quandary of Life Extension Pills
19:04 Addressing Social Justice in the Context of Immortality
24:30 The Boredom Argument Against Immortality
28:08 Exploring the Infinite Possibilities of AI and Immortality
28:26 The Philosophical Dilemma of Immortality and Ennui
30:26 Considering the Ethics and Legality of Suicide
31:12 The Rationality of Suicide in an Immortal Life
32:44 The Sorites Paradox and Life Extension
34:02 The Practical Challenges of Life Extension Policies
34:58 Dystopian Scenarios in Immortality and Central Planning
37:27 The Concept of Personal Identity and Immortality
40:38 Consciousness Uploading: A Dystopian Idea?
45:23 Personal Identity, Memory, and Augmentation
49:01 The Philosophical Exploration of Ennui and Meaninglessness
53:00 Immortality in Mythology and the Quest for Novel Experiences
54:58 Reimagining Immortality and Embracing Finitude
Immigration and Borders | Stephen Kershnar
Featuring Stephen Kershnar, we discuss the complexities of immigration ethics, the rights to immigrate, and the morality of borders, keeping in mind debates around wealth, exclusion, and property rights.
Stephen considers consequentialist and deontological perspectives in immigration policies, the notion of collective versus individual rights, and the philosophical implications on national identity and personal liberty.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:16 Discussion on Immigration
01:05 Thought Experiment on Immigration
02:57 Debate on Collective Ownership and Immigration
04:23 Exploring the Rights of Immigrants
04:34 Dilemma of Immigration in a Private Island Scenario
05:03 Debate on the Right to Life and Immigration
08:28 Discussion on Collective Decision Making
10:22 Exploring the Concept of Citizenship
11:18 Debate on Collective Ownership of a Country
20:09 Discussion on the Consequences of Immigration
27:46 Debate on National Self Interest and Immigration
34:39 Exploring the Concept of Citizenship
35:48 Analogies and Disanalogies in Citizenship
36:38 Consequences of Citizenship Revocation
37:34 Consequentialist Discussion on Immigration
39:15 The Utility of Immigration
41:46 The Right to Evict: A Discussion
42:01 The Case of Refugees and Birthright Citizenship
46:16 The Consequences of Open Borders
48:32 The Impact of Immigration on Population Growth
01:00:08 The Dilemma of Local Control and Freedom of Movement
01:06:42 The Value of Collective Property in Immigration
Cascading Catastrophic Risks | Trond Undheim
Trond Undheim delves into catastrophic risks facing humanity, including climate change, governance breakdown, and technological threats.
Through discussions of risk perception, effective planning versus worry, and the complexities of managing existential threats, Trond emphasizes the importance of preparing and adapting for uncertain futures.
How should we think about potential future crises, the role of technology in exacerbating or mitigating risks, and the moral obligations of contemporary society to future generations?
00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
00:08 Imagining the World in 2075
00:26 The Impact of World Conflicts and Climate Change
01:03 The Rise of Organized Crime and Economic Divide
02:08 The Future of Medical Technologies and Lifespan
02:54 Reflections on the Turning Point of the Century
04:14 Understanding Risk and Worry
04:53 The Role of Planning and Thriving in Risk Management
06:35 The Potential of Giga Projects and Modular Solutions
07:40 The Dilemma of Investing in Uncertain Events
08:41 The Existential Risk of Asteroid Collision
11:27 The Responsibility of Future Generations
13:49 The Complexity of Catastrophic Risk
22:13 The Potential Risks by 2075
46:01 The Role of Community in Risk Mitigation
47:41 The Challenge of Collective Action in Preventing Catastrophe
53:25 Conclusion: The Importance of Good Intent in Systemic Understanding
The Ethics of Political Commemoration | Hans Gutbrod
In this episode of 'Brain In A Vat', Hans Gutbrod addresses the gap in philosophy in understanding the ethics around statues, street names, and museums.
By drawing parallels to just war theory, Gutbrod proposes a framework to navigate the complexities of commemorating historical figures and events. The discussion also touches upon the potential for altering commemorative symbols to preserve memory while adapting their messages.
This episode probes the moral and aesthetic considerations of how societies remember their past.
00:00 Introduction and Thought Experiment
01:31 The Gap in Philosophy and Ethics
02:47 The Ethics of Representations of the Past
03:19 The Role of Metaphysics in Commemoration
03:48 The Influence of History and Philosophy on Commemoration
04:42 The Impact of Statues and Memorials on Public Perception
06:30 The Ethics of Political Commemoration
09:38 The Criteria for Erecting and Keeping Statues
10:36 The Role of Intent in Commemoration
12:11 The Role of Empirical Research in Commemoration
13:17 The Challenges of Commemorating the Past
15:05 The Complexity of Commemoration
19:04 The Scope and Vagueness of Commemoration
21:54 The Role of Conversation in Commemoration
26:38 The Role of Vagueness in Commemoration
28:05 The Complexity of Erecting Statues
28:32 Perspectives from the Caucasus
28:58 Reframing the Debate: The Case of Georgia
30:00 Street Names and Shadows of the Past
30:57 The Role of Art in Commemoration
31:43 The Sackler Controversy and the Power of Art
32:40 The Value of Preservation and Enriching Debate
33:06 The Risk of Over-Inclusivity
33:29 The Osama Bin Laden Hypothetical
34:54 Addressing the Vagueness Problem
36:20 The Ethics of Political Commemoration
37:56 The Challenge of Deciding on Statues
41:30 The Power of Artistic Alteration
45:53 The Holocaust Memorial in Berlin: A Case Study
53:12 The Role of Aesthetics in Commemoration
55:31 The Personal Engagement with Commemoration
Facial Distortions and Prosopometamorphopsia | Brad Duchaine
In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, Brad Duchaine from the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department at Dartmouth discusses prosopometamorphopsia (PMO) – a condition where individuals see distorted faces.
The episode explores various manifestations of PMO, including seeing demonic features, dragons, or entirely different faces, and distinguishes it from prosopagnosia (face blindness). It delves into the neurological basis of PMO, touching upon structural and functional differences in the brains of those affected.
We discuss the significant impact PMO and prosopagnosia have on individuals' social interactions and quality of life, as well as potential management techniques such as using glasses or colored lights to reduce distortions.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
00:20 Exploring the Case of Face Distortion
03:19 Understanding the Nature of Distortions
05:49 Comparing Prosopagnosia and PMO
07:17 The Role of Visual System in Face Recognition
10:01 Impact of Face Recognition on Social Interactions
14:16 The Spectrum of Face Recognition Abilities
16:20 The Role of AI and Hallucinations in Face Recognition
23:48 Understanding the Diagnosis of Face Recognition Disorders
30:20 Understanding Prosopagnosia: Prevalence and Characteristics
31:59 The Mystery of PMO: Prevalence and Need for More Research
32:46 Exploring the Impact of Prosopagnosia and PMO on Social and Sexual Relationships
33:23 The Intersection of PMO and Other Psychiatric Conditions
37:03 The Struggles and Challenges of Living with Prosopagnosia and PMO
41:02 Potential Treatments and Coping Mechanisms for PMO
51:22 The Neurological Basis of PMO and Prosopagnosia
54:51 Testing and Characterizing PMO: A Deep Dive into Research Methods
59:54 Understanding the Perception and Processing of Faces in PMO
Pornography and Free Speech | Nadine Strossen and Holly Lawford-Smith
(00:00) Introduction and Guest Presentation(00:37) Understanding Pornography and Free Speech(02:00) Controversies Surrounding Pornography(02:12) Case Study: Provost's Scandal(03:22) Debate on the Provost's Case(03:54) Exploring the Concept of Academic Freedom(05:10) Counter Argument: The Question of Judgment(06:43) The Impact of Sexual Taboos(07:30) The Role of the American Association of University Professors(08:16) Discussion on the Provost's First Amendment Claim(12:12) The Shift in Pornography Production(17:58) The Debate on Virtual Child Pornography(27:14) The Feminist Perspective on Pornography(40:13) Understanding the Real Case of Subordination(40:29) The Role of Subordination in Fantasy and Pornography(41:05) The Radical Feminist Anti-Pornography Movement(41:56) Analyzing Media and Subordinating Imagery(42:45) The Impact of Subordinating Imagery(42:59) The Irony of Anti-Pornography Activism(43:58) The Controversy of Subordinating Images in Public Spaces(45:05) The Role of Pornography in Society(46:15) The Popularity and Impact of Pornography(47:31) The Positive Benefits of Pornography(48:30) Balancing Liberty and Equality in Free Speech(55:02) The Intersection of Hate Speech and Pornography(01:00:02) The Egalitarian Nature of Pornography(01:05:48) The Controversy of Being a 'Minority Intellectual Dissident'
Unravelling “White Privilege” | Spencer Case
Can the definition of privilege be nuanced enough to address the broad range of individual experiences and historical contexts? Does recognizing and discussing privilege lead to meaningful social change? Or does talk of privilege oversimplify complex issues?
The Privacy Paradox | David Boonin
Is observing people in a public space from the privacy of your home an infringement of their rights? Can the widespread use of CCTV cameras be justified, or does it violate their privacy? And how do technological developments affect the delicate balance between safety and privacy?
Dissecting Morality: Error Theory | Matt Lutz
What if our understanding of morality is fundamentally flawed? Should the absence of objective moral facts alter the way we live and interact? Is the structure of our society dependent on moral beliefs, or are these just a result of individual desires and social evolution?
The Morality Maze | Spencer Case
Is morality real, a social construct, or non-existent? Can we rely on our moral intuitions? And are moral truths inaccessible to us?
Why Israel's Response to Hamas Was Justified | Natasha Hausdorff
What is a proportional response to a terrorist attack? What does genocide involve? And is South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice justified? Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff Editor and Producer: Jimmy Mullen and Porter Kaufman Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop
The Trouble with Gender | Alex Byrne
Does the biology you were born with trump self-identity when determining your sex or gender? Is gender innate, or can it change? And what can real-life cases of children being reassigned their sex at birth teach us?
Alex's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Gender-Sex-Facts-Fictions/dp/1509560017/
John Rawls: Justice as Fairness | Paul Weithman (Rebroadcast)
John Rawls is widely regarded as the greatest modern liberal philosopher. Does his theory of justice lead to a fair society?
Near-Death Experiences | John Martin Fischer (Rebroadcast)
Is there life after death? Are near-death experiences meaningful? Are they similar to other altered states like meditation and drug-induced hallucinations?
How To End Global Poverty | Andy Kuper (Rebroadcast)
Andy Kuper, the founder and CEO of LeapFrog Investments, tells us how his PHD in philosophy led him to marry profit with purpose, by creating investment funds with deep impact on the lives of 200 million low-income people worldwide, while generating strong returns for its investors and the companies in which it invests.
Andy's Book Democracy Beyond Borders: https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Beyond-Borders-Representation-Institutions-ebook-dp-B000WNHG48/dp/B000WNHG48/
Evolutionary Psychology | Justin Garson (Rebroadcast)
Is evolution the root cause of racism, rape, and disgust? Are differences between men and women a result of both nature and nurture? Are some forms of scientific inquiry too dangerous to allow?
Justin's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Biological-Mind-Philosophical-Introduction/dp/0367466317
Trans women in sport: Is it fair? | Stephen Kershnar (Rebroadcast)
Lia Thomas, a trans woman, has sparked controversy by competing in and winning women’s collegiate swimming events. Should Thomas and other trans athletes be allowed to compete in the gendered competition of their choice?
David Chalmers on Virtual Reality and The Simulation Argument (Rebroadcast)
Could you be a brain in a vat, or be living in a simulated or virtual reality? Could you live a meaningful, valuable existence even if you were?
Freedom | Ernst Roets and Martin Van Staaden
Does the State protect or curtail freedom? Are communities more important than individuals? Should freedom be constrained by virtue?
The Philosophy of Black Mirror's White Bear | Rebecca Tuvel
Black Mirror's episode, White Bear, is full of interesting philosophical problems. Are you still responsible for a crime you committed even if you've lost your memory of that crime? Do you persist through time despite amnesia? And what are the limits of justified punishment for horrendous crimes?
Why you should stop eating meat | Mylan Engel
Do your current moral values require you to stop eating meat? Will going vegan actually prevent animal cruelty? Is the vegan movement a force for good?
David Benatar on the Israel Palestine Conflict
Are Jews entitled to their own homeland? Is the Israeli response to the massacre of civilians perpetrated by Hammas on October 7th justified? Should there be a ceasefire?
David's Article in Quillette: https://quillette.com/2023/10/21/its-not-the-occupation/
Raja Halwani wrote to us about Jason's exposition of his view at 38:50. Here is Raja's clarification:
**I wanted to clarify a point that Jason made during the interview with David Benatar. Jason asked Benatar what he thought of the view that “the view is that the Gazans are an oppressed people. They’ve been oppressed for so long that they’ve acted out of desperation. And there’s only two options that they have.” Jason goes on to say that I have defended the view that “the Gazans are an oppressed people who only have two options. The one option is to die and the other option is to attack, to attack Israel in order to secure some sort of freedom. Those are its only two options. And so ... Raja takes the view that if Hamas were to lay down its arms, then it’s just a slow death for the Gazans. That’s, that would be the future of Gaza.”
However, I did not make this claim about having only two options, nor would I, because it reads as a justification of killing civilians, especially given the context of the Hamas attacks of October 7 (and other attacks against Israelis). It reads as a justification because if death is one of only two options, then the second, to attack, seems permissible. The last sentence in Jason’s question, about Hamas laying down its arms, seems to especially imply this (though Jason did not intend to make me come out as justifying Hamas’s actions).
Jason attributes this view to me based on something I wrote in my blog (as he explained to me in personal correspondence). Here is the specific passage on which Jason bases his attribution:
People are quick to condemn Hamas for the evil that it has wrought, but they are as quick to neglect that Hamas acts out of sheer desperation, out of the sheer desire, no matter how steep the price, to score a victory against Israel, a country whose military might not even its prime ministers fully comprehend, and out of the sheer hopelessness of the slow death that their people has been dying. Although to explain this is not to justify it, I also ask the reader: What options do the Palestinians have? What do you advise them to do? Their lives are going nowhere. Peace initiative after peace initiative has failed them (and, to add insult to injury, they are blamed for the failure). No Palestinian state has emerged, and none is likely to given the current map (just look and see whether a state can be built out of the Swiss cheese that is the West Bank). Their tunnel has been long and with no light at its end. So what should they do? They ought to sit still and “take it like a man.” To suck it up. To bear the unfair burden of history. We have to tell them, “Misfortune has fallen upon you, and you may not extricate yourselves from it by killing civilians. Even as you yourselves die, slowly, surely, with no justification, and with barely an explanation, you may not take the lives of the civilians of your enemy. This is the noble way.”
Clearly, the passage is a bitter one about Palestinian loss and oppression, but it is as clearly morally ruling out the option of killing civilians. So even though Hamas might take up arms against civilians, this is not a morally viable options for Gazans or Palestinians in general. Hence, insofar as Jason’s question attributes to me a justification of attacks on civilians, this clarification should clarify that this is not my position.**
The Ethics of Killing in War | Jeff McMahan (Rebroadcast)
This older conversation about war sheds light on the current conflict in Israel and Gaza. Are soldiers fighting for the wrong side ever justified in killing? Should we punish these soldiers even if they were coerced by their State to fight? And is it ever justified to kill civilians? Read Jeff's book here: amazon.com/Killing-War-Uehiro-Practical-Ethics/dp/019960357X
Pornography and Exploitation | Holly Lawford-Smith
Are women generally exploited in pornography? Even in cases where women report that their pornography career is empowering, have they nevertheless been degraded? And if heterosexual pornography undermines women’s dignity, is this true of gay male pornography too?
Organ Markets | James Stacey Taylor
Should we be allowed to sell our organs on the open market? Would the poor be exploited under such a system? And does organ donation impose an unfair burden on the relatives of those that need a transplant?
Is Monogamy Wrong? | Harry Chalmers
Is the restriction on having additional sexual or romantic partners similar to the restriction on having additional friends? Should you allow your partner to be free to pursue other partners? And are we able to overcome the jealousy associated with non-monogamy?
The Philosophy of Infinity Pool | Travis Timmerman
Does the clone of a murderer deserve to be punished? Is the clone with the murderer’s memories and dispositions guilty of the murder? And has justice been served if the clone is punished, even if the original murderer goes free?
Oppenheimers on Barbenheimer
Was dropping the bomb on Hiroshima justified? Is Ken the real star of Barbie? Three Oppenheimers weigh in on the film event of the year. Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff Editor and Producer: Jimmy Mullen and Porter Kaufman Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop Contact us: Mark.Oppenheimer[at]gmail and Jwerbe[at]gmail
Stephen Kershnar on Cultural Appropriation
Is it permissible for members of one group to appropriate the cultural practices of another? Is there anything wrong with cultural appropriation at all, or are there benefits to cultural appropriation?
Sex work or prostitution? | Lori Watson
Is sex work actually work? Is prostitution always a form of exploitation? And show we legalize or decriminalize prostitution?
The Islam-Atheism Debate: Behind the Curtain
Recently, Eron Fasser and Mark Oppenheimer debated Hamza Tzortzis and Mohammed Hijab on whether Atheism or is Islam more rational. This episode discusses the arguments made and strategies employed by both sides. Were Hamza and Mohammed arguing in good faith? Or were they trying to derail a debate they were clearly losing?
Death | Travis Timmerman
Would it be better to live forever than to die? Is the goodness or badness of death dependent on the future quality of our lives? Is death so bad that it would be better never to have been born?
Travis' Book: Exploring the Philosophy of Death and Dying https://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Philosophy-Death-Dying-Contemporary/dp/1138393584/
Luck and Knowledge | Mylan Engel
What is knowledge? Does a justified true belief count as knowledge? And is our knowledge lucky?
Who was Derek Parfit? | David Edmonds
Parfit altered the landscape of the philosophy of identity. We speak to David Edmonds about his recently released biography on this influential philosopher, and ask: what made Parfit the man he was?
Is Islam more rational than Atheism? | Eron Fasser, Mohammed Hijab, Mark Oppenheimer, Hamza Tzortzis
A debate held at the University of Johannesburg. Does God Exist? How can something come from nothing? Are God's commands moral?
Imagine There’s No Gender | Holly Lawford-Smith (with Raja Halwani)
Would the world be better if we didn’t recognize genders?
In such a world, there would be males and females, but nothing associated with what it means to be male or female other than biological facts. Men and women would be equally likely to be social leaders. And there would be no stereotypically male or female behavior.
In this world, there’d be true sex equality, and, it seems, no need for trans activists. Should we fight for such a world?
Hate Speech | Mark Oppenheimer (Live at St Andrews)
Mark Oppenheimer presents a live seminar at St Andrews. The talk features footage from a prominent hate speech trial that Mark appeared in as a lawyer. What is hate speech? What is the value of free speech? Do some groups deserve special protection against hate speech? Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff Editor and Producer: Jimmy Mullen and Porter Kaufman Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop Contact us: Mark.Oppenheimer[at]gmail and Jwerbe[at]gmail
What is a woman? | Alex Byrne
Oxford University Press refused to publish Alex Byrne's book on gender. We discuss whether women are adult human females and whether sex is the same as gender. Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff Editor and Producer: Jimmy Mullen and Porter Kaufman Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop
Is Grieving Good for You? | Michael Cholbi
Experiencing grief at the death of a person we love or who matters to us―as universal as it is painful―is central to the human condition. In Grief, Michael Cholbi presents a groundbreaking philosophical exploration of this complex emotional event, offering valuable new insights about what grief is, whom we grieve, and how grief can ultimately lead us to a richer self-understanding and a fuller realization of our humanity.
Michael's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Grief-Philosophical-Guide-Michael-Cholbi/dp/069120179X/
The Supreme Court Ban on Affirmative Action | David Benatar
Should we implement affirmative action when determining which students are admitted to universities? Should affirmative action be based on race or socio-economic status? Is diversity important when deciding on university admissions? And should we think about race and gender in the same way when considering affirmative action? Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff Editor and Producer: Jimmy Mullen and Porter Kaufman Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop
Self-driving Cars and the Apocalypse | Ryan Jenkins (with Stephen Kershnar)
As technology improves, ethical problems deepen too. Flying cars and ChatGPT are convenient, but may benefit some at the cost of harming others. Is the future convenient and full of promise, or should we fear a dystopian apocalypse?
Animal Ethics | Thad Metz
Do we have ethical obligations to all animals or only cute and majestic ones? Is factory farming worse than hunting? We answered these questions and more at a live event hosted by The Inside Out Center for the Arts. https://insideoutcentreforthearts.com/
Will there be peace in the middle east? | Raja Halwani
Is a two state solution desirable to resolve the Arab Israeli conflict? Does Israel have the right to be a Jewish state? Do other states have an obligation to help resolve the conflict?
Friendship is Magic | Samuel Kimbriel
Are human beings social creatures? Do social groups have an important role to play in political life? Can hermits lead meaningful lives?