Rethinking Civic Engagement and Voting

Chris Freiman argues that we’re justified in ignoring politics. Freiman, whose book 'Why It's Okay to Ignore Politics' delves into this controversial stance, presents thought experiments and addresses common objections. The conversation also explores effective altruism, the moral implications of individual actions, and the complexities surrounding charitable giving and political participation. Tune in for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on the ethics of civic duty and altruism.

[00:00] Introduction and Special Guests

[00:28] Thought Experiment: Voting vs. Saving a Child

[02:18] Opportunity Cost of Voting

[11:24] Collective Action Problems and Individual Impact

[20:14] Swing States and the Duty to Vote

[26:16] Psychological Considerations and Moral Licensing

[29:53] Effective Altruism: Set It and Forget It

[30:35] A Disturbing Ethical Dilemma

[44:46] Trust in Charities vs. Politicians

[53:10] Long-Termism and Future Generations

[57:29] Concluding Thoughts on Ethics and Altruism

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/.