Ever wondered about the psychology behind reckless driving? The conversation takes you on a wild ride through the intersections of driving, consciousness, and moral dilemmas. Explore how our relationship with space and time transforms behind the wheel. Unpack the ethics of self-driving cars and the contentious debate over programming their moral philosophies. Delve into the cultural identity shaped by our choice of vehicles and ponder the implications of urban design on pedestrian experiences. Buckle up for a philosophical journey!
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Lacan's Reckless Driving
Jacques Lacan, a psychoanalyst, was obsessed with driving fast and disregarding traffic laws.
This behavior, as revealed in Jameson Webster's article and Catherine Millot's book, extended even to a road trip with Martin Heidegger.
insights INSIGHT
Driving as a Metaphor for Psychoanalysis
Lacan used driving as a metaphor for psychoanalysis, suggesting analysts can "drive" a patient's mind without fully understanding it.
He compared psychoanalysis to having a driver's license but not being a mechanic.
insights INSIGHT
Driving's Impact on Time, Space, and Responsibility
Driving, though a common habit, carries immense responsibility and alters our perception of time and space.
The combination of habitual action and high responsibility makes driving a unique human experience.
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Lynne Pearce's "Drivetime" offers a unique philosophical exploration of the experience of driving. The book delves into the ways in which driving shapes our perception of time, space, and consciousness. Pearce examines the psychological and phenomenological aspects of driving, exploring the interplay between the driver, the vehicle, and the environment. She challenges traditional notions of driving as a purely mechanical act, highlighting its significance as a form of embodied cognition and a site of meaning-making. The book's insights extend beyond the realm of transportation, offering valuable perspectives on the relationship between technology, consciousness, and the human experience.
A Materialist Theory of The Mind
A Materialist Theory of The Mind
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David Malet Armstrong
David Malet Armstrong's "A Materialist Theory of the Mind" is a seminal work in the philosophy of mind, advocating for a materialistic approach to consciousness. Armstrong argues against dualism, proposing that mental states are identical to brain states. His theory emphasizes the causal role of mental states in behavior and experience. The book explores various aspects of consciousness, including perception, intentionality, and self-consciousness, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding the mind from a physicalist perspective. It remains a significant contribution to the ongoing debate about the nature of consciousness and the mind-body problem.
Animal Rights: Moral Theory and Practice
Animal Rights: Moral Theory and Practice
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Mark Rowlands
Mark Rowlands' "Animal Rights: Moral Theory and Practice" is a comprehensive exploration of animal rights from a philosophical perspective. The book examines various ethical theories and their implications for our treatment of animals. Rowlands critically analyzes different approaches to animal rights, including utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. He explores the complexities of animal consciousness and sentience, arguing for a more nuanced understanding of animal moral status. The book offers a rigorous and insightful contribution to the ongoing debate about animal rights and our moral obligations to non-human animals.
Self-Driving Car Acceptance and the Rule of Ethics
Self-Driving Car Acceptance and the Rule of Ethics
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Stamatis Karnouskos
Self-driving Cars and the Right to Drive
Self-driving Cars and the Right to Drive
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William Ratoff
SPEED AND POLITICS AN ESSAY ON DROMOLOGY
SPEED AND POLITICS AN ESSAY ON DROMOLOGY
Paul Virilio
Paul Virilio's "Speed and Politics: An Essay on Dromology" is a seminal work exploring the profound impact of speed on society and culture. Virilio introduces the concept of "dromology," the study of speed and its effects, arguing that speed is not merely a technological phenomenon but a fundamental aspect of power relations. He examines the historical development of speed, from ancient forms of transportation to modern technologies like the automobile and the airplane. Virilio analyzes the social, political, and philosophical implications of increasing speed, highlighting its effects on our perception of time, space, and reality. The book remains a significant contribution to critical theory and continues to inspire discussions about the relationship between technology, power, and the human condition.
Life with Lacan
Life with Lacan
Andrew Brown
Catherine Millot
Catherine Millot's "Life with Lacan" offers a unique and intimate perspective on the life and work of the renowned psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan. The book is based on Millot's personal experiences as Lacan's patient and lover, providing a firsthand account of his personality, his methods, and his impact on her life. Millot's narrative reveals both the brilliance and the complexities of Lacan's character, offering insights into his intellectual pursuits and his personal relationships. The book challenges conventional biographies, presenting a more nuanced and human portrayal of a figure often shrouded in mystique. It remains a valuable resource for understanding Lacan's life and work from a personal and emotional perspective.
The Phenomenology of Perception
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Maurice Merleau-Ponty
Maurice Merleau-Ponty's "Phenomenology of Perception" is a seminal work in 20th-century philosophy. It challenges traditional Cartesian dualism by emphasizing the embodied nature of experience. The book explores how our perception of the world is shaped by our physical bodies and their interaction with the environment. Merleau-Ponty's ideas have had a profound impact on various fields, including philosophy, psychology, and art. His work continues to inspire new interpretations and applications in contemporary thought. The book's central theme is the inseparability of mind and body in the process of perception.
Have you ever wanted to go on a road trip with the psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan? After listening to this episode, you certainly won’t! In episode 119 of Overthink, Ellie and David talk about the experience of driving and the moral and social dilemmas involved with it. How does driving alter our relationship with time and space? What is the “long distance truck driver problem”, and what does it have to do with animal consciousness? And how should we respond to the rise in self-driving cars? Buckle in and get ready for this ride into the philosophy of driving. Plus, in the bonus they dive deeper into the ethics of self-driving cars, exploring the repercussions hacking could have on self-driving cars. What moral philosophy should be programmed into the self-driving vehicles of the future? And who gets to decide?
Works Discussed: David Armstrong, A Materialist Theory of The Mind Kenneth Jackson, The Crabgrass Frontier Stamatis Karnouskos, “Self-Driving Car Acceptance and the Rule of Ethics” Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Phenomenology of Perception Catherine Millot, Life with Lacan Lynne Pearce, Drivetime William Ratoff, “Self-driving Cars and the Right to Drive” Mark Rowlands, Animal Rights: Moral Theory and Practice Paul Virilio, Speed and Politics: An Essay on Dromology Jamieson Webster, “Riding in Cars with Jacques Lacan” Andreas Wolkenstein, “What has the Trolley Dilemma ever done for us (and what will it do in the future)? On some recent debates about the ethics of self- driving cars”
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