Conversations #2 - Micheal Cholbi

Sep 2, 2019

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Hello Eclectic Spacewalkers,

Here is my interview with Cal Poly Pomona, Professor of Philosophy - Michael Cholbi (First published on my Substack newsletter)

His research is primarily in ethics, with particular emphases on suicide, grief, punishment, Kantian ethics, paternalism, work & labor, and moral psychology.

Along with teaching, he is currently the director of the newly created California Center for Ethics and Policy (CCEP). Michael is also a founding member of the International Association for the Philosophy of Death and Dying, and has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles. His most noted books are “Suicide, the Philosophical Dimensions”, and on “Understanding Kant’s Ethics.”

(Below are timestamps of the conversation to skip around, or just clear your mind and press play to hear a thoughtful conversation).

I thank Michael for his time, research, and openness on usually hushed subject matter(s), but as he said in the conversation: “LIGHT IS THE BEST DISINFECTANT.”

We have to talk about the things that we care about, but even more so - If we want to change them.

Enjoy the conversation & Ad Astra!

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Timestamps

My father was at D-Day” (03:39)
Was death and suicide a part of your life growing up? (08:38)

“Yeah, I think that philosophy gives people, well it honors, their autonomy as people and gives them a chance to empower themselves and I think that at its best, you know, philosophy can be a really powerful source of human solidarity.” (24:09)

Philosophy and it’s root “Philosophia” means a “love of wisdom” NOT “wisdom” (28:28)
Is ethics only really viewed through a subjective (personal/cultural) lens? (45:34)
END OF PART ONE (47:42)

How do animals deal with death? Do they grieve?(57:15)
How do different cultures throughout the past, and now, deal with death? (59.04)
What are your thoughts on Immortality? (01:05:22)

“...it's a somewhat transient impulse and I think that acknowledging suicidal thinking is actually a very powerful suicidal Suicide Prevention technique. It doesn't seem to me that the taboo has done much good on that score.” (01:17:44)

“Each of us is a small trembling animal that will someday decay and die” - Ernest Becker (01:33:58)

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More on Michael Cholbi:

Website: https://michael.cholbi.com/

Twitter: @MichaelCholbi

Purchase latest book: Understanding Kant’s Ethics

Purchase previous book: Suicide: The Philosophical Dimensons Book