

Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P.
A native of Germany, he teaches philosophy at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, California, where he is also currently the chair of the philosophy department. He researches Free Will, the History of Philosophy and Philosophical Aesthetics, Miracles and other topics of the philosophy of religion, and more recently the philosophy of technology.
Top 5 podcasts with Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P.
Ranked by the Snipd community

12 snips
Apr 1, 2025 • 53min
Can Machines be People, Too? | Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P.
Fr. Anselm Ramelow, a professor of philosophy at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, dives into the intriguing question of whether machines can possess personhood. He argues that true consciousness, unity, and desire are inherently human qualities that machines lack. The discussion touches on the complexities of human experience, the philosophy of technology, and contrasts human understanding with machine processing. By examining intentionality and the uniqueness of human thought, Fr. Ramelow emphasizes the profound distinctions between artificial intelligence and genuine human intellect.

Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 1min
Technology In Our Relationship With God I Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P.
Fr. Anselm Ramelow, a philosophy professor at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, dives into the intricate relationship between technology and our spiritual lives. He warns against idolizing technology while emphasizing its rightful role as a tool for human ends. The discussion spans the moral implications of tech in faith, historical contexts of its influence on the Church, and how modern technologies challenge our connection with God. Ramelow critiques the impact of virtual worship, urging a balance between innovation and reverence.

Sep 2, 2025 • 55min
Mind, Matter, and Life: Can Machines be People, too? I Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P.
Fr. Anselm Ramelow, a philosophy professor at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, dives deep into machine consciousness and personhood. He critiques the notion that artificial intelligence can be considered sentient, emphasizing the lack of subjective experience and intentionality in machines. Drawing on classic literary references, he challenges listeners to rethink the essence of what it means to be a person. The discussion highlights the immaterial qualities of human consciousness, underscoring the distinctions between human beings and mere machines.

Sep 12, 2024 • 38min
The Eschatological Implications of AI w/ Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. & Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P.
Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., a Dominican known for his theological insights, and Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P., a philosophy professor exploring AI ethics. They discuss how AI tools, like ChatGPT, may damage personal relationships and virtues, warning about the dangers of becoming 'moral zombies.' The conversation dives into the ethical implications of AI in education, emphasizing the need for human interactions. They also contemplate the uniqueness of human identity, encouraging a view of technology as a mere tool while urging listeners to preserve their humanity.

May 26, 2020 • 60min
Freedom, Aquinas, and the Brain | Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P.
Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P., a Dominican friar, discusses the clash between limitless choice and scientific evidence, neuroscience experiments challenging free will, and the importance of free will in experiments. He explores the relationship between free will, rationality, decision-making, self-formation, and the impact of focus on individual choices, emphasizing the pursuit of the ultimate good as a key aspect of freedom.