Ep. 101 - All Things Philosophical w/Dr. Michael Huemer
May 13, 2021
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Dr. Michael Huemer, a philosophy expert and author of Knowledge, Reality, and Value, discusses various philosophical topics. He covers internalism vs. externalism in justification, libertarian political philosophy, natural rights, ethical dilemmas, and historical evils. The conversation also explores practical scenarios, emergent dualism, Bayesian accounts in philosophy of science, and the universe's origin.
Metaphysics explores abstract objects and mind-body dualism
Logic emphasizes truth and non-contradiction in rational reasoning
Epistemology advocates for beliefs based on appearance and justification rooted in internal states
Deep dives
Metaphysics - Exploring the Nature of Reality
Metaphysics delves into fundamental questions about the nature of reality, such as the existence of abstract objects and the mind-body dualism. This branch of philosophy tackles inquiries like whether time is infinite and if universal properties like numbers exist independently. Dr. Humor discusses the intricate concept of universals and argues for their necessity, highlighting the existence of uninstantiated universals even though they may not have concrete manifestations.
Logic - Unraveling the Laws of Thought
Logic encompasses the study of rational reasoning and truth, including the principle of non-contradiction. Dr. Humor asserts that logical laws are factual truths about propositions, emphasizing propositions about contradictions being inherently false. He distinguishes logical facts from laws of thought, suggesting a more metaphysical nature to logic's principles and their pertinence to the truth value of propositions.
In epistemology, Dr. Humor champions the theory of phenomenal conservatism, asserting that beliefs are justified based on how things appear. This view posits that if something seems true and lacks reason for doubt, it warrants belief. Dr. Humor advocates for justification rooted in internal states of appearance, promoting an approach that aligns belief justification with the immediate perceptions or appearances of the world.
Philosophy of Justification and Warrant
The podcast delves into the debate between internalism and externalism in epistemology, focusing on concepts like justification and warrant. The discussion highlights the distinction between internal state formulation and access formulation, with the speaker leaning towards internal state formulation. Issues such as the nature of justification, externalist criticisms, and the difference between warrant and justification are explored, shedding light on the complexities of epistemic theories.
Political Philosophy and Views on Rights
The episode transitions to political philosophy, where the focus shifts to the concept of political authority and rights. The speaker, identified as an extreme libertarian, questions the legitimacy of governmental authority and argues against the conventional notion of political power. Topics like taxation as theft, natural rights vs. conventional rights, and the ethical considerations surrounding rights and interests are discussed, providing insights into the speaker's libertarian perspective and philosophical viewpoint.
On this episode of the Parker's Pensées Podcast, I'm joined by the legendary Michael Huemer to discuss his new book, Knowledge, Reality, and Value. Since the book is a comprehensive introduction to philosophy, we discussed philosophy in general and we discussed his particular philosophical views in... well, in particular. It's a really fun one, hope you enjoy!
Grab the book here: https://amzn.to/3fhuE4I
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