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Solutions to all of Your Moral Dilemmas | Michael Schur

Jun 13, 2022

Michael Schur, the creative mind behind beloved shows like "Parks and Recreation" and "The Good Place," delves into the world of moral dilemmas. He explores thought-provoking questions, such as the trolley problem and the ethics of white lies. Schur discusses the importance of virtue and how our instincts influence moral choices. He challenges listeners to think critically about everyday actions, like the simple act of returning a shopping cart, and how small choices can improve community well-being.

55:37

Creator website

Episode guests

Michael Schur

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Episode notes

Intro

3min

Ethics and Entertainment in Pandemic Times

7min

Navigating Moral Dilemmas

13min

Exploring Everyday Morality and Contractualism

2min

The Ethics of Returning a Shopping Cart

5min

Moral Choices and Self-Awareness

24min

Exploring Nature, Nurture, and the Role of Luck in Success

3min

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Life is filled with all kinds of moral dilemmas— from the mundane to the momentous. Should I lie and tell my friend that I like her ugly shirt? Can I still enjoy great art if it was created by terrible people? How much money should I give to charity? Ultimately, does anything we do even matter?

In today’s conversation, television writer and producer, Michael Schur helps us to navigate our moral dilemmas and answer some of these difficult questions.

Schur is best known for creating and co-creating such shows as Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, and Rutherford Falls. Additionally, he has worked on shows like The Office, Master of None, The Comeback, and Hacks. He is also the Author of How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question.

In this episode we talk about:

What got him started on the road to reading philosophy and studying ethics
The so-called “trolley problem”
Trusting your gut
Natural states of virtue
The evolutionary advantages of virtue
And how white lies can be beneficial in a complicated and messy society

This interview was recorded in person at the TED conference in April of 2022, where both Michael Schur and Dan Harris spoke.

Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/michael-schur-463

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