Brain in a Vat

In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, Mark and Jasondiscuss the tragic assassination of political commentator, Charlie Kirk. The episode discusses Kirk's commitment to open dialogue and civil discourse, particularly on college campuses, and critique the societal implications of hisdeath.The episode delves into themes of free speech, academicfreedom, and the dangerous conflation of words and violence. Jason and Mark also address arguments attempting to justify or minimize Kirk's assassination,advocating instead for a return to civility and the importance of open, reasoned debate.00:00 Introduction and Tribute to Charlie Kirk01:22 The Importance of Civil Discourse03:47 The Dangers of Conflating Words and Violence05:00 Free Speech and Academic Freedom10:04 Philosophical Perspectives on Assassination15:01 The Impact on Society and Free Speech16:14 Addressing Arguments Justifying the Assassination27:04 Reflecting on Empathy and Society's Response29:18 Conclusion: A Call for Civility

Is racial profiling always wrong, even if used by an AI to decrease crime? Should we use AI to judge criminal cases, recommend sentences for the guilty, or decide parole for prisoners?Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to AI in Crime Fighting[00:12] Thought Experiment: The Looting Scenario[06:32] Predictive Policing and AI[10:13] Debating the Ethics of AI in Law Enforcement[23:26] Affirmative Action and Racial Profiling[37:51] Balancing Crime Reduction and Social Engineering[39:00] AI in Sentencing: Benefits and Challenges[40:08] Algorithmic Transparency and Legal Implications[43:15] The Opaque Jury Argument[47:44] Fairness vs. Accuracy in Legal Decisions[57:25] Philosophical Implications of Opaque Decision-Making

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we’re joined by Brian Leiter, co-author (with Jamie Edwards) of a new book on Marx. We explore whether workers in contemporary capitalism are truly free—or trapped in a form of “wage slavery.” Leiter uses thought experiments to probe the limits of workplace freedom. He also examines Marx’s labor theory of value—its strengths and flaws—and shows how modern capitalism both confirms and diverges from Marx’s predictions.The conversation then turns to labor, technological change, human nature, and artificial intelligence—culminating in a pressing question: what futures of work await us under capitalism?Read "Marx (The Routledge Philosophers)" by Brian Leiter and Jaime Edwards here: https://www.amazon.com/Marx-Routledge-Philosophers-Brian-Leiter/dp/1138938505Chapters:[00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome[00:18] Thought Experiment: Are You a Wage Slave?[02:10] Free Labor vs. Unfree Labor[05:11] Historical Context and Modern Implications[16:07] Capitalism's Role in Technological Progress[20:22] Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work[32:05] The Essential Nature of Human Beings[38:59] Critiques of Marx's Naivety[46:25] Technological Innovation and Labor[51:33] Marx's Labor Theory of Value[58:18] Fetishism of Commodities[01:00:59] Future of Capitalism and Human Nature[01:10:14] Concluding Thoughts on Marx and Capitalism

What are possible worlds? Could you have been born to different parents, and could an object be both completely green and completely red? Barry Lam explains how David Lewis’s views on possible worlds can help us understand everything from time travel to the nature of who we are.

Is it wrong to bring new life into the world? Is adopting a child a moral obligation? Is parenting meaningful?

Would the world be better if we didn’t recognize genders?In such a world, there would be males and females, but nothing associated with what it means to be male or female other than biological facts. Men and women would be equally likely to be social leaders. And there would be no stereotypically male or female behavior.In this world, there’d be true sex equality, and, it seems, no need for trans activists. Should we fight for such a world?

What does a spy owe — to their country, their conscience, or their cause? In this episode, Cécile Fabre investigates the moral lives of Cold War operatives like Kim Philby and Oleg Gordievsky. With Fabre, we probe the strange morality of spies and the ethical paradoxes they inhabit.Is it ever right to betray your country? Can deception be a moral duty? These questions come to life through real stories of espionage. Competing ethical frameworks — such as utilitarian, deontological, and virtue-based — offer different judgments on such acts. We also confront the role of ideology, the weight of consequences, and the question of whether loyalty to the state should override personal conscience.From secrets and double agents to the philosophy of trust and betrayal, this conversation delves into what it really means to be a “moral” spy.Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Espionage[00:30] Case Study: Kim Philby[02:48] Case Study: Oleg Gordievsky[05:32] Ethical Dilemmas in Espionage[09:55] Philosophical Perspectives on Treason[30:48] Role Morality and Consequentialism[43:52] Virtue Ethics and the Spy's Conduct[58:21] The Duty to Betray[01:01:24] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Do we have a right to sex, and is there an obligation to sexually fulfill the disabled? Should sex work be not only legal, but obligatory?[00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome[00:16] Exploring the Right to Sex: Thought Experiment[03:43] Negative vs. Positive Rights to Sex[09:50] State-Sponsored Sex Work and Ethical Considerations[11:52] Sexual Obligations and Imperfect Duties[23:51] Rights to Sex in Relationships and Marriage[30:43] Philosophical Grounds and Parallel Cases[31:29] Moral Implications of Ending Sexual Activity[34:17] Third-Party Interference in Sexual Rights[37:39] Sexual Rights in Mental Institutions[49:24] Social Justice and the Right to Sex[53:51] Challenges to Social Justice Arguments[58:14] Concluding Thoughts on Sexual Rights and Justice

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we welcome back Jessica Flanigan for a discussion on the decriminalization of sex work.Using a decriminalization framework, Flanigan examines the ethics of sex work and the role of state regulation.The conversation explores autonomy, consent, and coercion. It also addresses the stigma surrounding sex work, its possible benefits, and the impact of market dynamics on both workers and clients. Flanigan offers a nuanced perspective on a complex and often controversial topic.Check out our related episode on sex work and prostitution featuring Lori Watson: https://youtu.be/feG24mRCTzo[00:00] Introduction[00:25] Thought Experiment: Don and Melania[06:36] Arguments Against Prostitution[11:57] Market Dynamics and Gendered Preferences[21:18] Regulation and Legal Models[26:13] Advertising and Public Perception[31:55] Comparing Sex Work to Other Professions[34:04] Labor Justice and Sex Work[37:47] Consumer Protection in Sex Work[38:55] Licensing and Certification in Sex Work[45:05] Moral Obligations and Promises in Sex Work[51:01] Contracts and Personal Autonomy[57:45] Changing Attitudes Towards Money and Sex[01:00:47] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What exactly makes us feel disgusted? Is disgust for a person or group ever justified? And is disgust useful, or should we try to eliminate it?Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Disgust and Cognitive Content[00:11] Paul Rosen's Experiments on Disgust[02:16] Disgust and Its Connection to Animality and Mortality[03:05] Projective Disgust and Social Implications[05:06] Disgust in Legal Theory and Practice[08:00] Personal Anecdotes on Disgust and Social Change[11:18] Disgust Towards Transphobia and Body Malleability[13:24] Disgust in Art and Pornography[22:17] Disgust, Fear, and Contamination[23:13] Overcoming Disgust and Social Progress[29:49] Caste and Disgust in India and America[31:45] Tagore's Critique of Caste and Disgust[35:02] Progress and Challenges in LGBTQ+ Rights[43:07] The Role of Disgust in Political and Social Issues[52:45] Age Discrimination and Societal AttitudesCheck out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/