Within Reason

#100 Philosopher Shootout - 16 Thinkers, Ranked (With Joe Folley)

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Mar 23, 2025
In a lively discussion, Joe Folley, a Cambridge Philosophy graduate and YouTube star from 'Unsolicited Advice,' joins to rank 16 famous philosophers. They dissect the philosophical duels between Hume and Descartes, and Plato versus Aristotle, revealing the strengths of empiricism and rationalism. The conversation dives into the ethics of Peter Singer and the existential complexities posed by Nietzsche and Kierkegaard. Joe critiques contemporary thinkers like Hitchens and Peterson, wrapping it all up with a cheeky ranking of their philosophical legacies.
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INSIGHT

Singer's Ethics: Charity and Moral Realism

  • Peter Singer is known for his work on charity, exemplified by the drowning child analogy.
  • He's a moral realist, arguing for ethical truths regardless of evolutionary history.
INSIGHT

The Demandingness of Singer's Ethics

  • Singer's demanding ethical views, like prioritizing pleasure over suffering, spark controversy.
  • His work makes people question if demandingness invalidates ethical theories.
ANECDOTE

Singer's Unflinching Utilitarianism

  • Joe Folley admires Singer's commitment to utilitarianism, even when facing uncomfortable conclusions.
  • Singer's views on prioritizing lives based on potential for pleasure and suffering are challenging.
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