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 ...
May 05, 2024•54 min
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 conversati...
Apr 28, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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 puber...
Apr 21, 2024•1 hr 17 min
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 cannibal...
Apr 14, 2024•1 hr 5 min
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 perso...
Apr 07, 2024•52 min
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 person...
Mar 31, 2024•56 min
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 T...
Mar 24, 2024•1 hr 8 min
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 so...
Mar 17, 2024•55 min
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 so...
Mar 10, 2024•57 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...
Mar 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min
We welcome back Nadine Strossen for a comprehensive discussion about pornography and free speech. She highlights points from her re-released book 'Defending Pornography', explaining why she supports the freedom of sexual expression. Her thought experiment is about a respected academic who makes adult videos, raising questions about personal freedom, professional reputability, and potential harm to his university. She also explores the complex relationship between pornography, liberty, and equali...
Feb 25, 2024•1 hr 13 min
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?
Feb 18, 2024•1 hr
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?
Feb 11, 2024•1 hr 1 min
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?
Feb 04, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Is morality real, a social construct, or non-existent? Can we rely on our moral intuitions? And are moral truths inaccessible to us?
Jan 28, 2024•58 min
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...
Jan 21, 2024•52 min
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/
Jan 14, 2024•58 min
John Rawls is widely regarded as the greatest modern liberal philosopher. Does his theory of justice lead to a fair society?
Jan 07, 2024•57 min
Is there life after death? Are near-death experiences meaningful? Are they similar to other altered states like meditation and drug-induced hallucinations?
Dec 31, 2023•1 hr 5 min
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. https://leapfroginvest.com Andy's Book Democracy Beyond Borders: https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Beyond-Borders-Representation-Institutions-ebook-dp-B000WNHG48/dp/B000WNHG48/...
Dec 24, 2023•57 min
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
Dec 17, 2023•54 min
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?
Dec 10, 2023•1 hr 14 min
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?
Dec 03, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Does the State protect or curtail freedom? Are communities more important than individuals? Should freedom be constrained by virtue?
Nov 26, 2023•1 hr 34 min
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?
Nov 19, 2023•54 min
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?
Nov 12, 2023•58 min
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 ...
Nov 06, 2023•59 min
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
Oct 29, 2023•58 min
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?
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 3 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?
Oct 15, 2023•1 hr 14 min
