We welcome back Stephen Kershnar to discuss the ethics of torture. Kershnar argues that some criminals deserve torture because severe wrongdoing can cause a person to forfeit protections against extreme punishment. He critiques the idea that there are moral constraints the state must never cross. The dialogue also examines objections to torture concerning human dignity, bodily integrity, and the dangers of granting the state such power. Chapters [00:00] Introduction [00:43] Why Punitive Torture?...
May 17, 2026•59 min
What happens to human beings in a world without scarcity? If all our needs were met, would we actually be better off? Will technological progress lead to utopia or collapse? Humans are living through massive improvements in material conditions. More people have access to food, energy, and technology than ever before. Steven Kotler examines what this kind of abundance does to us. It may support a more comfortable life, but it can also erode the conditions that sustain a sense of purpose. We also ...
May 06, 2026•1 hr
What does it mean to live with adversity? How ought we respond to the suffering of others? How can we adapt to hardship? Adversity is a universal experience. Nearly everyone, at some point, faces physical, psychological, or social challenges, and yet suffering often goes unnoticed. David Benatar joins us to discuss these questions on the human condition, provoked by his book 'Living with Adversity,' a collection of personal accounts of suffering. Read Benatar's book here: https://wipfandstock.co...
May 06, 2026•55 min
Kevin Allison, creator of the RISK! podcast, recounts a high school prank at an all-boys Jesuit school in 1986. After a crush teased him by repeatedly spitting on him, Kevin later mailed him a sealed container of feces labeled “enjoy the cookies.” In retelling the story, Kevin considers how the prank mixes humiliation and a possible form of intimacy, situated within his experience of growing up gay under Catholic doctrine. For Kevin, telling such stories has become an opportunity for self-reflec...
May 06, 2026•1 hr 4 min
Clinical psychologist Chloe Carmichael, author of "Can I Say That?," examines how free expression relates to psychological well-being and social trust. Carmichael argues that suppressing disagreement drives resentment and misperception, rather than resolving conflict. She also scrutinizes the role of safe spaces, the spread of therapeutic language, and what limits on speech might be justified in public versus private life. [00:00] Introduction to Chloe Carmichael [00:29] Mark’s Workplace Story [...
Mar 22, 2026•1 hr 2 min
Amy Wax joins us to discuss the ideological landscape of higher education. Wax reflects on her conflict with the University of Pennsylvania and argues that universities have become increasingly hostile to conservative viewpoints. The conversation explores ideological bias on campus, academic freedom, and the challenges conservatives face within modern higher education. [00:00] Welcome to the Discussion [00:23] Amy Wax and Penn Suspension [07:01] Lawsuit and Double Standards [15:01] Speech Versus...
Mar 09, 2026•1 hr 9 min
Tomás Bogardus joins to discuss his book "The Nature of the Sexes" and argues for a reproductive-functional account of biological sex. According to Bogardus, males and females are defined by the reproductive function their bodies are structured to perform: producing sperm or eggs. Even when that function is not realized and no sperm or eggs are produced, a person’s sex remains the same, because it is grounded in biological organization. To defend this view, Bogardus considers intersex and DSD ca...
Feb 22, 2026•1 hr 5 min
Brain in a Vat is back from hiatus with a deep dive into the philosophy of religion. Stephen Kershnar and Nathan Bray join us to ask whether God can be morally responsible and whether worship makes sense if God could not have done otherwise. The discussion begins with a thought experiment about gratitude and worship. If worship expresses praise for morally responsible action, can a perfectly good God deserve it at all? Kershnar and Bray argue that divine perfection may undermine responsibility r...
Feb 09, 2026•1 hr 5 min
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 th...
Nov 09, 2025•1 hr 1 min
When is death preferable to living? Are there fates worse than death? And what sort of future society should we build? Lionel Shriver discusses her latest novel, Should We Stay or Should We Go.
Nov 02, 2025•56 min
Should you be required to get a parental license from the State before you can raise your own children? Do the wishes of parents matter at all – or should we only care about the best interests of their children?
Oct 26, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, we step outside our usual format to interview Miles Spencer, founder of Reflekta — a company using cutting-edge AI to recreate digital reflections of loved ones who’ve passed away. Miles shares his personal journey of using Reflekta to reconnect with his late father and explains how the system blends voice recordings, photos, and written biographies to create realistic digital personas. The discussion covers the emotional impact, ethical questions, and ...
Oct 17, 2025•52 min
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?
Sep 30, 2025•52 min
How did the Aztecs understand life, morality, and human purpose? What can Aztec philosophy teach us about living well? Sebastian Purcell guides us through Aztec thought, beginning with a thought experiment from Homer’s Odyssey and moving into the core ideas of Aztec wisdom. Along the way, he contrasts Aztec ethics with Western traditions and applies them to modern debates on morality, from sex and meat consumption to life’s ultimate purpose. The conversation also takes on difficult topics like h...
Sep 22, 2025•58 min
In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, Mark and Jasondiscuss the tragic assassination of political commentator, Charlie Kirk. The episode discusses Kirk's commitment to open dialogue and civil discourse, particularly on college campuses, and critique the societal implications of hisdeath. The episode delves into themes of free speech, academicfreedom, and the dangerous conflation of words and violence. Jason and Mark also address arguments attempting to justify or minimize Kirk's assassinati...
Sep 11, 2025•30 min
Is racial profiling always wrong, even if used by an AI to decrease crime? Should we use AI to judge criminal cases, recommend sentences for the guilty, or decide parole for prisoners? Chapters: [00:00] Introduction to AI in Crime Fighting [00:12] Thought Experiment: The Looting Scenario [06:32] Predictive Policing and AI [10:13] Debating the Ethics of AI in Law Enforcement [23:26] Affirmative Action and Racial Profiling [37:51] Balancing Crime Reduction and Social Engineering [39:00] AI in Sent...
Sep 07, 2025•1 hr 14 min
In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we’re joined by Brian Leiter, co-author (with Jamie Edwards) of a new book on Marx. We explore whether workers in contemporary capitalism are truly free—or trapped in a form of “wage slavery.” Leiter uses thought experiments to probe the limits of workplace freedom. He also examines Marx’s labor theory of value—its strengths and flaws—and shows how modern capitalism both confirms and diverges from Marx’s predictions. The conversation then turns to labor, techno...
Aug 31, 2025•1 hr 11 min
What are possible worlds? Could you have been born to different parents, and could an object be both completely green and completely red? Barry Lam explains how David Lewis’s views on possible worlds can help us understand everything from time travel to the nature of who we are.
Aug 25, 2025•52 min
Is it wrong to bring new life into the world? Is adopting a child a moral obligation? Is parenting meaningful?
Aug 17, 2025•1 hr 3 min
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?
Aug 10, 2025•56 min
What does a spy owe — to their country, their conscience, or their cause? In this episode, Cécile Fabre investigates the moral lives of Cold War operatives like Kim Philby and Oleg Gordievsky. With Fabre, we probe the strange morality of spies and the ethical paradoxes they inhabit. Is it ever right to betray your country? Can deception be a moral duty? These questions come to life through real stories of espionage. Competing ethical frameworks — such as utilitarian, deontological, and virtue-ba...
Aug 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Do we have a right to sex, and is there an obligation to sexually fulfill the disabled? Should sex work be not only legal, but obligatory? [00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome [00:16] Exploring the Right to Sex: Thought Experiment [03:43] Negative vs. Positive Rights to Sex [09:50] State-Sponsored Sex Work and Ethical Considerations [11:52] Sexual Obligations and Imperfect Duties [23:51] Rights to Sex in Relationships and Marriage [30:43] Philosophical Grounds and Parallel Cases [31:29] Moral ...
Jul 27, 2025•59 min
In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we welcome back Jessica Flanigan for a discussion on the decriminalization of sex work. Using a decriminalization framework, Flanigan examines the ethics of sex work and the role of state regulation. The conversation explores autonomy, consent, and coercion. It also addresses the stigma surrounding sex work, its possible benefits, and the impact of market dynamics on both workers and clients. Flanigan offers a nuanced perspective on a complex and often controve...
Jul 20, 2025•1 hr 1 min
What exactly makes us feel disgusted? Is disgust for a person or group ever justified? And is disgust useful, or should we try to eliminate it? Chapters: [00:00] Introduction to Disgust and Cognitive Content [00:11] Paul Rosen's Experiments on Disgust [02:16] Disgust and Its Connection to Animality and Mortality [03:05] Projective Disgust and Social Implications [05:06] Disgust in Legal Theory and Practice [08:00] Personal Anecdotes on Disgust and Social Change [11:18] Disgust Towards Transphobi...
Jul 13, 2025•58 min
What does it mean to be patriotic, or to love your country? Some argue that patriotism is virtuous because it allows us to transcend our selfish needs and act for the good of our community. But others argue that patriotism is overly narrow-minded, arbitrary and sometimes immoral. Microdigressions Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Micro-Digressions Chapters: [00:00] Introduction to Brain Nevada [00:27] Exploring John Lennon's 'Imagine' [01:11] Critique of Utopian Ideals [01:52] Possessions and Na...
Jul 06, 2025•1 hr
In this episode of Brain in a Vat, Georgi Gardiner returns to explore the epistemic value of tarot: its capacity to shape self-understanding, spark creative reflection, and influence major life decisions. Drawing on personal experience and philosophical analysis, Georgi examines how tarot can serve as a mirror for introspection while also raising concerns about confirmation bias and self-deception. The discussion also considers the history and diversity of tarot practices, and compares tarot wit...
Jun 29, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, Brain in a Vat is joined by public philosopher and author Agnes Callard to explore the relevance of philosophy in everyday life. Drawing from her work on Socrates, Agnes makes a case for why philosophical inquiry matters, now more than ever. From the pig farmer analogy to Socratic love, this conversation is a deep dive into how philosophy is a way of life. Chapters: [00:00] Introduction to the Guest and Topic [00:44] The Monologue vs. Dialogue Experiment [06:50] Philosophical Tr...
Jun 22, 2025•55 min
Are Jews entitled to their own homeland? Is the Israeli response to the massacre of civilians perpetrated by Hamas 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 33:06. 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 “...
Jun 15, 2025•59 min
In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we examine two competing political visions through an AI debate between Plato and Robert Nozick. Plato defends rule by philosopher kings and a unified society, while Nozick argues for individual liberty and a minimal state. Following our previous episode featuring Mill and Kant, we continue investigating major philosophical divides through thought experiments like the Allegory of the Cave and the Experience Machine. The episode considers justice, autonomy, and ...
Jun 08, 2025•48 min
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? Check out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/
Jun 01, 2025•1 hr 14 min
