Please like , share , comment , and subscribe . It helps grow the newsletter and podcast without a financial contribution on your part. Anything is very much appreciated. And thank you, as always, for reading and listening. In this episode of the Uncommon Wisdom Podcast , host Jimmy Licon talks with professor, theologian, and author Joshua Ryan Farris about the nature of the soul and consciousness. They examine the debate between materialism, which sees mental states as purely physical, and dual...
Aug 15, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Please like , share , comment , and subscribe . It grows the newsletter and podcast without a financial contribution on your part. Anything is very much appreciated. And thank you, as always, for reading and listening! This is an AI-generated podcast discussing an article of mine on the issue of personal identity. Who are you? What makes you who you are? These are central questions in the philosophy of personal identity. My article adds to the debate by arguing that the simple fact that we can s...
Apr 07, 2025•14 min
Please like , share , comment , and subscribe . It helps grow the newsletter and podcast without a financial contribution on your part. Anything is very much appreciated. And thank you, as always, for reading and listening. Many people believe that free speech is dead (or on life support) in higher education. My guest for this episode—Assistant Professor of Business, Matt Burgess—disagrees, arguing instead that not only is one’s speech freer in higher education than many other places, but that f...
Mar 25, 2025•56 min
Two AI podcast hosts discuss a recent article of mine— the invisible hand of partisan irrationality —where I argue that a little acknowledged benefit of political irrationality is that people are forced to act consistent with their virtue signaling and rationalizations or be credibly charged with hypocrisy. The full paper can be found HERE . I checked the audio for accuracy, but the level of rigor ain't great. In any case, if you would prefer to listen to audiobots discussing my work in an easy ...
Mar 10, 2025•17 min
China is shrinking demographically and economically (relative to the United States). Some cheer this development, thinking it lowers the chance of military conflict with the United States and her allies. Professor of Political Science at Tufts University, Michael Beckley , the author of the recent and excellent book, Danger Zone , argues that the opposite is true : for the next five to ten years, a fading China will likely be even more dangerous. The United States and the West would do well to k...
Mar 06, 2025•59 min
Become a paid subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Did I mention I'm a poor professor? Thanks! ☕ Should we consume dangerous sports where people are hurt and take serious risks for the money? Is it wrong to be a fan of football or boxing? Are sports a kind of pretend for adults ? These questions and more are featured in my latest episode with Professor Shawn Klein , Associate Teaching Professor at Arizona State University. Discla...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr
Become a paid subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Did I mention I'm a poor professor? Thanks! ☕ In a world in which only the present moment exists, travel to the past would be impossible, no? And perhaps even suicidal since time travel in such a universe would be leaving the whole of reality? Steven and I begin the episode by debating these questions. (You can find Steven's original article here , my reply here , Steven’s counte...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Become a paid subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee ☕ it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Did I mention I'm a poor professor? Thanks! 🙏 In a fun and freewheeling conversation, philosopher Andrew M. Bailey and I discuss his current book Resistance Money: A Philosophical Case for Bitcoin about the power of Bitcoin as a resistance money, the basics of how bitcoin works, and why you as an ordinary consumer should consider Bitcoin as a form of currency. Bitcoin is for a...
Jan 24, 2025•59 min
Become a paid 💰 subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee ☕ it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Did I mention I'm only a poor professor? Thanks! 🙏 This post is experimental. It is an AI-generated podcast with two ‘hosts’ discussing a published article on mine—which I no longer endorse, but which is fun to discuss regardless—arguing that procreation (having children) is wrong most, if not all, the time. You can find a copy of the published article HERE . It was also th...
Jan 03, 2025•15 min
Become a paid 💰 subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee ☕ it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Did I mention I'm only a poor professor? Thanks! 🙏 This post is experimental. It is an AI-generated podcast with two ‘hosts’ discussing a published article on mine on the dark sides of political and legislative transparency. Sunlight ain't all good folks! There's a reason that the Founders wrote and debated the Constitution behind closed doors. This podcast is based on an a...
Nov 21, 2024•8 min
Consider becoming a paid 💰 subscriber. This Substack is a labor of love, but the coffee ☕ it takes to write the Substack ain't free. Thanks! 🙏 This post is experimental. It is an AI-generated podcast with two ‘hosts’ discussing a published article on mine on the implications of moral mediocrity on how just a society can be. You can find the official article linked HERE . I have checked the audio for accuracy, though the level of rigor is somewhat lacking. In any case, if you would prefer to li...
Oct 24, 2024•22 min
In this episode, Peter and I discuss the value and benefits of voting at the margins, the ethics and efficacy of censorship, and why having children is better and more nuanced than the debate over natalism would have one believe. Peter Ryan Brookes (Oxford) is a PPE (philosophy, politics, economics) tutor in the UK. He writes the persistent ruminator on Substack. Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscrib...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Prof. Morris and I discuss the problem of evil, skeptical theism (God’s reasons are beyond our ability to understand), and how to think about suffering in a Christian context. We also discuss her recent paper on the topic , and her book on the basics of Christian philosophy. Prof. Morris is an associate professor of instruction in the philosophy department at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She received her PhD in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame i...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 2 min
The infamous economist, Bryan Caplan, and I discuss the potential impact of AI across domains like immigration, national security, employment, and much much more! He’s much more sanguine about AI than I am, but he makes good points, as per usual. Enjoy the show! Bryan Caplan is a professor of economics at George Mason University , research fellow at the Mercatus Center , and adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute . His Substack is Bet On It . Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolico...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 9 min
In this episode, Eric and I discuss his theory of jerks , moral mediocrity, death bed regrets, the extent of our conscious experience, and much more! Eric Schwitzgebel is Professor of Philosophy at University of California, Riverside. He works on topics in the philosophy of psychology, philosophy of mind, and moral psychology. He has many publications to his credit. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe...
Jul 07, 2023•50 min
In this episode, Prof. Morris Kleiner and I discuss the nature of occupational licensing, why occupational licensing is more about excluding competition than quality or competence, why licensing requirements need to be reformed, and much more besides. Everything you wanted to know about occupational licensing! Morris M. Kleiner is professor and AFL-CIO Chair in Labor Policy at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He also teaches at the University's Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies....
May 26, 2023•44 min
In this episode, Robin and I discuss the nature of prediction (read: betting) markets, how they originated, how they work, and how such markets could be used to solve any number of social and policy problems we face. Robin Hanson is associate professor of economics at George Mason University, and research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe...
Apr 17, 2023•59 min
In this episode, Robin and I discuss the fact that we don’t know our own minds nearly as well as we think, how practices like laughter and charity are often more about impressing others, the inefficacy of healthcare spending on outcomes, and much more besides. Robin Hanson is associate professor of economics at George Mason University, and research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe...
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Antony and I discuss inflation and shortages, monetary and fiscal policy, and whether, in the long term, the bankruptcy of the Federal government would be something positive. Antony Davies is Associate Professor of Economics at the Palumbo Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University. His research interests include econometrics, public policy, and consumer behavior. Davies has authored over 150 op-eds for, among others, the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, In...
Jul 06, 2022•51 min
In this episode, Donald and I discuss the best arguments for and against gun control, the implications of gun control, and how gun control relates to regulating alcohol. Donald Bruckner is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Penn State University, and the author of many research articles on gun control and veganism. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe...
Jun 23, 2022•1 hr
In this episode, Dan and I discuss the ethics of eating meat, and why vegetarianism and veganism aren’t as morally straightforward as many people think. Dan Shahar is a Professor of Philosophy at University of New Orleans, and the author of, among other books, Why It’s OK to Eat Meat . Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe...
Jun 17, 2022•29 min
In this episode, Emrys and I discuss the virtuous aspects of vices such as gossip and disrespecting the views and beliefs of others, the value of frugality, and much more. Professor Emrys Westacott is a professor of Philosophy at Alfred University in New York, where he has taught since 1996. He is the author of, among other books, The Virtues of Our Vices and The Wisdom of Frugality . Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe...
May 26, 2022•51 min
In this episode, Kevin and I discuss the issue of free will, the evidential problem of evil, the nature of character traits, the contours of agency, and much more. Kevin Timpe is the William H. Jellema Chair in Christian Philosophy at Calvin University. His primary research interests range across the metaphysics of free will, philosophy of disability, virtue theory, and philosophical theology Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe...
May 04, 2022•49 min
In this episode, Tom and I discuss monetary policy, why inflation is bad and unlikely to abate in the near term, how cheap money erodes prosperity, crypto-currencies, and much more. Thomas Hoenig is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, served as Vice Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 2012 until 2018, and was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a member of the Federal Reserve Syst...
Apr 19, 2022•49 min
In this episode, Larry M and I discuss his journey from alcoholism to recovery, insights and tools he gained in recovery like acceptance and gratitude, the role of a higher power in the process of recovery, and much more. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 22, 2022
In this episode, Phil and I discuss the 1619 Project, its virtues and vices, the New History of Capitalism, apply Public Choice theory to slavery, and more besides. Phil W. Magness is an economic historian whose work explores the intersection of history and political economy, including the 19th century as well as trends in the macroeconomy such as taxation, trade, and economic inequality. He works at the American Institute for Economic Research . His most recent book is The 1619 Project: A Criti...
Mar 09, 2022•54 min
In this episode, Michael and I discuss the ethics of price gouging, the tendency of democratic capitalist societies toward cronyism, the platform economy, the distinction between directionalism and destinationism in politics, and much more. Michael C. Munger Professor of Political Science, and Director of the PPE Certificate Program. His primary research focus is on the functioning of markets, regulation, and government institutions. He is the author, most recently, of The Sharing Economy: Its P...
Feb 28, 2022•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, I moderate a discussion between Robin Hanson (economist, George Mason University) and Agnes Callard (philosopher, The University of Chicago) and focused on the nature of asceticism on their podcast Minds Almost Meeting . Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe...
Feb 15, 2022•1 hr 8 min
In this episode, Tomas and I discuss whether the mind is just matter or something more, the contingency of religious belief, and many things philosophy besides. Tomas Bogardus is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Pepperdine University. He works mainly in metaphysics and epistemology, and is most interested in the mind-body problem and the rationality of religious belief. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe...
Feb 09, 2022•1 hr 9 min
In this episode, Prof. Michael Beckley and I discuss China’s financial and military strength relative to the United States, why China’s rise looks exaggerated and misunderstood, and why a weaker-than-expected China may be more dangerous than a dominant China. Michael Beckley is an associate professor of political science at Tufts University and a Jeane Kirkpatrick Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He is the author of Unrivaled : Why American Will Remain the World’s Sole Supe...
Jan 18, 2022•55 min
