AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
New Books Network
Webb Keane, "Animals, Robots, Gods: Adventures in the Moral Imagination" (Princeton UP, 2025)
Mar 3, 2025
Webb Keane, a distinguished anthropology professor at the University of Michigan and author of "Animals, Robots, Gods," explores the intersection of technology and morality. He provocatively argues that our current dilemmas about AI and robotics echo ancient tensions between humans and non-humans, such as spirits. Keane examines how cultural practices shape our ethical frameworks and the implications for personhood and autonomy. The discussion delves into human-animal relationships and the emotional ties developed with technology, ultimately challenging our understanding of moral agency.
58:01
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Webb Keane highlights how modern technology evokes longstanding ethical questions about human relationships with non-human entities, emphasizing continuity in moral engagement.
- Keane critiques contemporary discourse on morality, arguing for a deeper exploration of ethics as they arise from everyday social interactions rather than abstract ideals.
Deep dives
The Influence of Background on Anthropological Perspectives
Webb Keane's background in New York City during the 1960s and 70s plays a significant role in shaping his anthropological perspective. Growing up in a culturally diverse environment allowed him to appreciate the richness of human interaction and the variety of cultural expressions. This urban context fostered his interest in how individuals relate to one another through interaction rather than viewing people as solely individualistic entities. Experiences with the intense social dynamics of his surroundings also contributed to his understanding of ethical life and how people grapple with existential questions.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode