Conversations with Peter Boghossian

How Greek Tragedy Informs the Ethics of Severance w/Isabella Reinhardt

15 snips
Mar 21, 2025
Isabella Reinhardt, a thought leader in ethics and philosophy, joins the conversation to unravel the intricate ties between Greek tragedy and the show Severance. They explore the ethical dilemmas of identity and consent, diving into Stoic philosophy and personal autonomy. The dialogue highlights emotional complexities of self-severance and real-world parallels, including pregnancy. They also examine trust through ancient narratives like The Odyssey and ponder existence within simulated worlds, reflecting on how science fiction shapes our understanding of these deep philosophical issues.
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INSIGHT

Severance as Enslavement

  • Peter Boghossian views the creation of an innie in "Severance" as akin to creating a slave or enslaving oneself.
  • He questions the ethics of consent in such a scenario, especially given the innie's lack of autonomy.
INSIGHT

Severance vs. Parenthood

  • Peter Boghossian compares the ethical considerations of severance to having children, but with a crucial difference.
  • While children eventually gain autonomy, innies remain perpetually dependent and lack the freedom to choose, even death.
ANECDOTE

Seneca and the Innies' Lack of Freedom

  • Peter Boghossian draws a parallel between the innies' inability to choose death and Seneca the Younger's writings on suicide.
  • Seneca argued that true freedom lies in the ability to end one's life at any time, a choice denied to the innies.
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