Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh Philosopher on Why Being Nice is Selfish, Is Incest Bad? &, Testing our Ethics! | Alex O'Connor
55 snips
Aug 20, 2025 
In this lively discussion with Alex O’Connor, an Oxford-educated philosopher known for his engaging debates, the team tackles some of life’s wildest moral dilemmas. Topics range from the ethics of incest to the complexities of empathy and cultural humor. They dive into thought-provoking questions like why bestiality is considered wrong and the implications of the trolley problem on moral responsibility. The conversation is a mix of deep philosophical insights and comedic banter, inviting listeners to rethink their ethical beliefs while having a good laugh.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Define Terms Before Debating Ethics
- Define terms early in moral debates to avoid talking past each other and turning disputes into mere word fights.
- Use clear shared definitions before arguing consequences or principles.
Expected Value Fails As Moral Logic
- People don't behave like expected-value calculators; emotional responses often override rational expected-value choices.
- Alex argues expected value is a poor descriptive model for real moral decision-making.
Brains Light Up Differently On Trolley Variants
- Alex cites MRI studies showing different brain regions light up for 'lever vs. push' trolley choices, linking responses to emotion or deliberation.
- This supports his claim that many moral choices are driven by feeling, not abstract reasoning.
