Ch. 19: William Jackson Harper, Actor | Dr. Todd May, Philosophy Advisor
Aug 28, 2018
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Actor William Jackson Harper and philosophy advisor Dr. Todd May discuss the influence of philosophy on 'The Good Place' and explore ethical dilemmas like 'the trolley problem'. They also share behind-the-scenes stories, talk about writing raps for the show, and highlight the impact of their work on the philosophy community.
The podcast explores the philosophy behind the Trolley Problem and its challenges in personal and emotional contexts.
The episode highlights the importance of emotional involvement and accountability in moral decision-making for personal growth and evolving morality.
Deep dives
The Trolley Problem and Ethical Dilemmas
In this episode, Cheaty teaches the group about the famous ethical dilemma, The Trolley Problem, but struggles to connect with Michael. Michael then takes Cheaty and Eleanor through hyper-realistic simulations to make the dilemma more realistic. Eleanor realizes that Michael is backsliding and torturing them, leading to a sincere apology that ultimately gets through to the group. Janet counsels Tahani on her relationship problems and her motivation to keep their trust a secret. She starts experiencing glitches and confesses to Michael that it may collapse the neighborhood.
The Philosophy Behind the Trolley Problem
The podcast episode delves into the philosophy behind the Trolley Problem. Dr. Todd May, a philosophy advisor to the show, is introduced and discusses why moral philosophy professors are sometimes disliked. He shares his background in philosophy and how he got into the field. Dr. May explains the challenge of abstract thinking in relation to the trolley episode, where it's easier to discuss ethical dilemmas in theory than when they become personal and emotional.
The Evolution of Cheeti and Michael
In this episode, Cheeti stands up for himself and pulls rank on Michael, asserting his knowledge of philosophy. This represents a change in Cheeti's character and highlights his dedication to philosophy. Meanwhile, Michael's evolution is showcased through his attempts to make amends with the group, initially by offering gifts as bribes. However, he ultimately realizes the importance of sincere apologies and the need to do the hard work of personal growth.
The Impact of Moral Emotions and Accountability
The podcast explores the role of emotions in moral decision-making, as highlighted in the episode. The necessity of emotional involvement in ethical thinking is discussed, emphasizing the importance of taking emotions into account when making moral choices. It is also noted that accountability to others, such as the families impacted by decisions, is an essential component of ethical decision-making. The episode demonstrates that reflecting on moral actions can lead to personal growth and an evolving sense of morality.
Actor William Jackson Harper (Chidi) and philosophy advisor Dr. Todd May shoot the shirt with host Marc Evan Jackson. They talk about how philosophy informs Mike Schur and the writing team, where “the trolley problem” comes from, William's desire to complete the Kierkegaard rap and a shirt-ton more funny anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories.