Brain in a Vat cover image

Brain in a Vat

The Ethics of Swearing | Rebecca Roache [with Travis Timmerman]

Jul 14, 2024
01:04:40

Why do we find swearing offensive, and should we? Is it wrong to use swear words despite causing offense?


This episode is an eye-opener into the often overlooked depth and implications of everyday profanity.


Listen to Rebecca’s podcast here: https://www.academicimperfectionist.com/podcast


[00:00] Introduction and Guest Introduction


[00:19] Rebecca's Journey into Swearing


[00:43] The Infamous Paper Incident


[02:46] Philosophical Musings on Censorship


[05:27] The Function of Swear Words


[06:04] Cultural Reactions to Swearing


[10:25] The Role of Context in Offense


[20:26] Borderline Swear Words and Slurs


[22:05] The Power of Offensive Words


[29:38] Debating the Use of Offensive Words


[32:05] Personal Experience with Slurs


[33:33] Slurs vs. Swear Words: Key Differences


[36:55] The Use-Mention Distinction


[41:52] Legal and Moral Implications of Offensive Language


[44:31] The Versatility of Swear Words


[52:10] Swearing and Intelligence: Is There a Link?


[55:25] The Value and Impact of Swearing


[01:02:51] Comedy, Dignity, and Swearing


[01:04:12] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

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

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