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Accented Philosophy

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Oct 8, 2021 • 49min

021. Is prostitution morally right?

Is prostitution morally right?In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss the ethics of prostitution, from issues of public health to exploitation and jobs that take over our bodies. Should we regulate sex work and how should we do it? Is the enforced sexual abstinence of priests comparable as a violation of sexual freedom to the job of a sex worker? Listen to find out!Join us for your weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.00:01:22 Moral problems of sex work00:02:20 Why are our societies so averse to nudity?00:08:04 The polarised public perception of sexuality00:10:09 Public health and public regulation00:13:17 Reasons for and benefits of drugs and sex consumption00:15:30 Sex work and the autonomy of the worker00:18:57 Sex work vs other kinds of jobs00:21:09 Sex work vs labour in general00:22:54 The association of sex with love00:26:15 Are workers used as mere means to an end?00:27:40 How to regulate sex work?00:30:25 Legalisation vs regulation00:32:06 Taxation, legalisation and social acceptance00:33:35 Promotion of military jobs, promotion of sex jobs00:39:52 The feminist perspective on sex work00:42:31 Sexual abstinence and the reproductive freedom of priests00:47:22 Sex work and human dignityAccented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts)
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Sep 29, 2021 • 42min

020. Are some countries objectively better than others?

Are come countries objectively better than others?In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy finish their discussion of moral relativism. If we don't want to be relativists, what ways are there to know whether one country or system is better than another?Join us for your weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.00:01:16 Utilitarianism and consequentialism00:05:17 Is there a “mistaken” way to be happy? 00:08:30 Subjective vs objective evaluations of happiness 00:14:09 State paternalism00:17:37 Do restrictive dress codes actually increase freedom?00:20:18 Platonic ethics and how to apply it00:29:45 Virtue ethics00:32:10 How do we determine “true happiness”? (Are we truly happy?) Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts)
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Sep 22, 2021 • 39min

019. What makes a good country?

How bad is North Korea as a state?In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss moral relativism and whether we can say that one society is "better" than another. Is the US better than North Korea? In what way? Is there an objective way to judge the "goodness" of a society?Join us for your weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.00:00:00 Introduction00:01:06 Is there non-rational ethics?00:02:01 Is incest always morally wrong?00:04:42 The value of moral intuitions00:08:17 How bad is North Korea as a state?00:09:52 Political systems and "true well-being"00:11:15 Poverty vs moral badness00:14:12 The responsibility of the international community00:16:49 The role of Consequentialism in moral arguments00:17:33 Deontological ethics vs consequentialism00:18:58 Plato (428-348 BC)00:19:41 Does capitalism make us happy?00:20:29 Amish society00:21:08 Epicurus, philosopher (341–270 BC)00:23:22 Being blind about one's own culture00:26:40 Judging values vs judging procedural aspects00:29:09 Jordan Peterson's interview with Yeonmi Park00:31:03 Are we in a position to criticise other cultures?00:35:27 Factual judgments vs moral judgmentsAccented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts)
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Sep 15, 2021 • 50min

018. Moral relativism: Can we disagree about what's right?

Moral relativismIn this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss moral relativism: the idea that other cultures may have their own values and moral rules that are different from ours. Do we have to respect them even if we disagree with them, or can we demand that all humans share some basic, common values? Join us for your weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.00:01:14 What is moral relativism?00:01:41 Parallel with language norms00:03:29 Societies and moral norms develop over time00:04:28 Do societies evolve to become better? GWF Hegel (1770-1831)00:09:23 Are we happier than societies in the past?00:12:30 Arguments in favour of moral relativism: Tolerance towards others00:13:31 The paradox in moral relativism00:14:45 The paradox of democracy00:17:55 Are there universal values?00:19:48 Are moral choices based on factual truths?00:22:06 Is all morality rational?00:28:57 Is all ethics ultimately about preferences?00:32:10 The moral complexities of incest00:38:18 Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274): the “offices” in love00:38:40 The dynamics of power in love relationships00:39:04 The dynamics of power in Ancient Greek eros00:45:07 Are Western-style human rights universal?00:46:30 Moral rights as Platonic forms?00:47:09 Moral absolutism and the colonial attitudeAccented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts)
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Aug 31, 2021 • 45min

017. Meritocracy and discrimination

Meritocracy and discriminationIn this episode, Ezechiel and Andy continue their discussion of meritocracy. Do we really deserve the lives we have? And are we providing enough chances to those who need them?Join us for a weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.00:00:37 The paradox of meritocracy00:02:28 Random selection00:04:11 Should universities be so expensive?00:04:40 Should universities select their students? 00:09:04 Is it better to filter students earlier or later?00:12:25 Age discrimination00:14:17 Job interviews and soft skills00:18:09 Positions of power and the good life00:19:39 The "dark side" of meritocracy: merit and moral worth00:20:53 Everyone deserves a human life00:21:55 The Protestant roots of meritocracy00:23:08 Martin Luther (1483-1546), theologian 00:24:30 Do we deserve love? (Appraisal vs bestowal love; charity)00:26:00 Basic income must be unconditional00:27:49 Do we need to change the language of "merit"?00:29:11 "Deserving" and entitlement00:33:29 The value of small changes00:34:12 The wrong perception of one's own country00:36:09 Next week's topic: Cultural relativism and international politics.Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts)
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Aug 24, 2021 • 45min

016. Meritocracy: Do we deserve our lives?

Meritocracy: Do we deserve our lives?In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss the idea that hard work (as well as laziness) eventually get their just rewards and that, therefore, people deserve the lives they have.  But is this true? Or do we all just rely on luck to achieve the positions in life that we have? Join us for a weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.00:00:24 What is meritocracy?00:01:34 Problems of meritocracy00:01:55 Meritocracy is not so different from elitist concepts 00:02:35 Absolute vs relative merit00:04:51 The problem of access to positions of power00:07:12 Michael Sandel, “The Tyranny of Merit.” Is merit just luck?00:08:13 How important is luck for merit?00:11:31 The perception of “deserving” one’s achievements00:12:35 Is this only a debate about language use?00:14:19 “Merit” talk shifts blame away from society and onto the individual00:16:33 The value of work 00:18:24 Effort and result00:21:34 Privilege, entitlement and moral obligation00:25:24 Bill Gates and other successful people00:26:24 Robert Frank (2016): Success and Luck00:27:53 Should billionaires exist?00:31:34 Is it wrong to be a billionaire?00:35:24 Personal wealth and educational achievements00:38:52 The value of Ivy League universitiesAccented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts)
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Aug 18, 2021 • 52min

015. Sports and Society

Sports and SocietyIn this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss the ethics of sports in general. From whether sports benefit populations to drugs, doping and the problems of nationalism, it is surprising how many interesting moral issues are caused by sports!Join us for a weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.00:00:44 Do the Olympics promote sports in society?00:01:25 Are big sports events too competitive?00:03:57 Competing against one’s previous self. Performance vs effort00:11:38 Single-dimensional and multi-dimensional performance in sports00:16:33 Doping and drugs in sport00:17:57 Drugs in bodybuilding00:20:39 Different kinds of drugs in sport00:23:03 What is a performance-enhancing drug?00:26:39 Hormone levels and transgender athletes00:34:36 Equality, interchangeability and inclusiveness00:39:04 Are big sports events good for the spectators?00:41:53 Nationalism and patriotism in sports00:45:18 Complicity through watching sportsAccented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts)
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Aug 10, 2021 • 52min

014. The Ethics of the Olympic Games

The Olympic GamesIn this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss the ethics of the Olympics. From environmental problems to the protection of underage athletes, the Olympic Games cause a number of ethical problems that are worth discussing.Join us for a weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.00:01:28 The cost of the Olympics00:05:34 The infrastructure argument00:07:24 The “white elephant” problem00:08:27 The humanitarian costs of the Olympics00:10:30 Olympics vs evacuation after floods00:13:04 Who benefits from a forced relocation?00:13:41 Justifications for paternalism00:14:41 The undemocratic character of the Olympics00:16:41 Equal access to benefits?00:18:44 The invisible harm of the Olympics00:20:37 The environmental costs00:27:01 Decentralised or virtual Olympics?00:29:39 International unity and cooperation?00:31:19 The ethics of underage athletes and children celebrities00:36:29 Competition, rewards and happiness00:38:42 Paternalism and young athletes00:49:33 The rational vs the right choicePhilosophers and theories mentioned:00:13:41 Justifications for paternalism00:36:29 Competition, rewards and happiness00:38:42 Paternalism and young athletesAccented Philosophy - Every Tuesday
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Aug 4, 2021 • 43min

013. Human Autonomy

Human autonomyIn this episode, Ezechiel and Andy ask what autonomy really is. What does it mean to be "free"? Are drug addicts free? And what is unique about human beings?Join us for a weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.00:01:47 What is unique about humans?00:06:39 Is everybody special?00:08:51 Deontological ethics00:09:27 Uniqueness and dignity 00:14:08 Are religious societies better?00:15:59 Is freedom the absence of obstacles? 00:16:50 Meritocracy00:19:08 Protestant work ethic00:20:59 Autonomy00:21:16 Harry Frankfurt (1929-) on autonomy00:22:49 Addiction and freedom 00:26:47 Ronald Dworkin (1931-2013)00:28:06 Autonomy as the capacity to question one’s will00:28:45 Orthonomy (Pettit and Smith 1993)00:32:20 Relational autonomy00:34:50 Autonomy and the technological world00:36:52 Is capitalism the real problem?00:39:20 What is the human brain for?Philosophers and theories mentioned:00:08:51 Deontological ethics00:16:50 Meritocracy00:21:16 Harry Frankfurt (1929-) on autonomy00:26:47 Ronald Dworkin (1931-2013)00:28:45 Orthonomy (Pettit and Smith 1993)00:32:20 Relational autonomyAccented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts :))
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Jul 28, 2021 • 48min

012. Technology and Freedom

Technology and FreedomIn this episode, Ezechiel and Andy ask how technology affects our freedom. Are we free to choose particular technologies? Are we free to reject them? And is democracy powerful enough to deal with technology?Join us for a weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.00:01:52 What is technology?00:02:21 Gutenberg's printing press (~1440) and its effects00:02:45 Ian Mortimer: Human Race: 10 Centuries of Change on Earth00:04:48 Plato, ancient Greek philosopher (428-348 BC) on writing00:05:06 Plato, Pheadrus (on writing)00:07:55 Can we predict the effects of technologies?00:09:15 Obvious and non-obvious effects00:11:56 Precautionary principle00:15:06 Technology itself vs its use00:16:29 What is a technology?00:20:37 Tools vs machines00:22:26 E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful00:22:49 Lewis Mumford (1895-1990)00:25:54 Becoming a slave to the machine00:26:59 Machines and social power00:28:01 Bruno Latour (1947-)00:28:39 Invisible regulation and democracy00:30:58 Machines as unyielding and blind agents00:32:03 Ransomware00:34:15 The blindness of bureaucracy00:39:06 The importance of social reputation00:43:11 The inhumanity of supermarkets00:45:21 Charlie Chaplin: Modern times (movie)Philosophers and theories mentioned:00:02:45 Ian Mortimer: Human Race: 10 Centuries of Change on Earth00:04:48 Plato, ancient Greek philosopher (428-348 BC) on writing00:05:06 Plato, Pheadrus (on writing)00:11:56 Precautionary principle00:22:26 E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful00:22:49 Lewis Mumford (1895-1990)00:28:01 Bruno Latour (1947-)Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts :)).

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