Brain in a Vat

Does our common understanding of mass shootings help us to prevent them?Blankschaen argues that our common beliefs and media narratives around gun ownership, mental illness, and school policies are unhelpful in preventing future mass shootings.Can we even provide an adequate definition of mass shootings? Should we give up the concept of mass shootings altogether, and focus instead on the particular shooters and victims in each circumstance?Read Kurt’s paper here: https://philpapers.org/rec/BLAAMS[00:00] Introduction and Thought Experiment[01:35 ] Exploring the Concept of Mass Shooters[06:56] Challenges in Profiling and Predicting[12:06] Defining Mass Shootings and Intent[24:10] Policy Implications and Conceptual Concerns[28:09] Terrorist Attacks vs. Mass Shootings[29:31] Tailoring Solutions to Different Types of Violence[35:54] Farm Murders in South Africa: A Case Study[40:14] The Role of Guns in Mass Shootings[42:53] Media Influence and Moral Panic[55:18] International Comparisons and Cultural Context[57:55] Conclusion and Final ThoughtsCheck 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/

Through comparisons to consequentialism and deontological ethics, Travis dissects the core principles and critiques of virtue ethics. Along the way, we discuss moral dilemmas, the application of virtues, and the real-world implications of ethical theories. Whether you're a student of philosophy or just curious about moral reasoning, this discussion provides deep insights into the essence of virtuous behavior and its place in ethical discourse.[00:00] Introduction and Welcome[00:14] The Drowning Child Thought Experiment[03:53] The Virtuous Agent Problem[04:45] Virtue Ethics vs. Other Ethical Theories[13:48] Virtue Ethics and Practical Advice[21:52] Challenges in Virtue Ethics[29:42] The Moral Theory Bug[33:26] Moral Rationalism and Obligations[44:54] Virtue Ethics as a Theory of Good Character[52:19] Eating Meat: Ethical Dilemmas[57:39] Concluding ThoughtsYou can also check 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/[00:00] Introduction and Welcome

What is the underlying logic of woke ideology? Is it consistent, and can it justify the pursuit of equality of outcome, such as redistributing wealth and land?Cofnas discusses the origins and evolution of wokeism, the moral and empirical premises underlying it, and the political dynamics between conservatives and liberals.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing debates around equity, discrimination, and social justice.You can also check 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/[00:00] Introduction and Welcome[00:16] Thought Experiment: Redheads and Slavery[08:16] Applying the Analogy to Race[17:00] Moral Responsibility and Social Justice[32:20] Reparations and Environmental Factors[37:17] Statistical Chance and Job Market Inequality[48:43] Conservative Resistance to Wokeism[54:59] The Long March Through Institutions[58:02] Trump's Impact on Wokeism[01:01:45] The Future of Wokeism and Conservative Strategy[01:05:21] Philosophical Foundations of Equality[01:10:47] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

How should we allocate our donations to address global issues effectively? Jacob discusses the principles guiding Effective Altruism, the importance of evidence-based charitable giving, the ethical implications of supporting local versus global causes, and the challenges of predicting long-term impacts.The episode also delves into the significant debate within the effective altruism community about how to prioritize immediate needs versus future generations, and the potential benefits and risks associated with artificial intelligence.Join us for a compelling conversation about making the most impact with your altruistic efforts.[00:00] Introduction to Effective Altruism[00:07] Thought Experiment: Allocating a Billion Dollars[01:18] Effective Altruism: Head and Heart Approach[05:12] Frameworks for Effective Altruism[06:27] Measuring Impact and Effectiveness[13:30] Obligations and Moral Considerations[16:28] Global Development and Animal Welfare[31:05] Long-Termism and Future Generations[52:23] AI: Potential and Risks[57:26] ConclusionCheck 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/

Is it possible for us to lead meaningful lives? Is there an ultimate point to our existence? Can we enrich our lives with the pursuit of love, knowledge and friendship? [00:00] Introduction to the Meaninglessness of Life[00:14] Tolstoy's Existential Crisis[01:39] The Appropriateness of Sadness[04:18] Everyday Meaning vs. Ultimate Meaning[06:13] The Metaphysical Argument[10:57] The Role of Accomplishments[17:42] Philosophical Temperaments and Existential Angst[23:14] The Value of Human Potential[25:55] Questioning the Concept of Ultimate Meaning[29:47] Objective vs. Subjective Meaning[31:32] The Role of Values in Life[34:22] Philosophical Perspectives on Immortality[40:39] Balancing Everyday and Ultimate Meaning[44:04] Cosmic Meaning and the Question of SuicideCheck 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/

Join us for a provocative episode on Brain in a Vat as we rejoin the infamous Stephen Kershnar, whose prior discussions have made headlines. This episode delves into affirmative action, demographic considerations in education and employment, and the ethics of statistical predictions informed by race.The discussion debates the legitimacy and consequences of using race, gender, and other demographic factors in decision-making processes across various fields, from medicine and law to parole decisions. The episode explores the balance between fairness and efficiency, and whether algorithms could replace human judgment in critical decisions.Don't miss this thought-provoking exploration of some of today's most contentious issues.[00:00] Introduction and Guest Reintroduction[00:25] Affirmative Action and Medical Care[02:23] Market Preferences and Performance[08:08] Challenges of Colorblind Policies[17:44] Fair vs. Unfair Discrimination[26:05] Statistical Predictors vs. Demographic Predictors[27:45] Correlation vs. Causation in Performance Prediction[31:31] IQ and Performance in Medicine[33:27] The Ethics of Using Demographics in Decision Making[41:59] Algorithmic Decision Making in Justice and BeyondCheck 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/

Travis Timmerman, co-author of a paper advocating for straight actors portraying queer characters, and Kurt Blankschaen, who contributes to the discourse on authenticity, dive deep into casting controversies. They discuss the societal pressures on actors, using Kit Conner's role in 'Heartstopper' as a case study. The duo navigates the moral implications of character versus performer authenticity, argues for inclusivity in casting, and highlights the evolution of queer representation in media while addressing the need for nuanced storytelling.

In this thoughtful conversation, philosopher Jeff Sebo, author of 'The Moral Circle', dives into our ethical obligations towards non-human beings, from Neanderthals to AI. He explores who deserves a spot in our moral circle, scrutinizes animal welfare, and examines the moral implications of treating sentient entities differently. Jeff also tackles the complexities of population ethics and the balance between human and animal suffering, sparking a compelling dialogue on the future of ethics in an AI-driven world.

Chris Freiman, author of "Why It's Okay to Ignore Politics," champions the idea that ignoring politics can be justified, using thought experiments to tackle objections. He discusses charity versus civic duty, ranking altruistic actions above voting. Philosophical insights from Rebecca Tuvel highlight moral complexities in helping others versus participating in elections. Together, they debate effective altruism and the ethics of individual impact, all while questioning our obligations to future generations and the trustworthiness of charities.

In this special episode, Alix Spiegel, host and producer of ‘Invisibilia’ and journalist for ‘This American Life’, joins us to talk about storytelling.Alix discusses storytelling techniques, the philosophical and political dimensions of narrative choices, and the emotional journey of confronting climate change.[00:00] Introduction to the Guest: Elise Spiegel[00:23] The Story of Joy and Her Unique Ability[04:53] Exploring Dark Futures and Climate Change[08:23] The Art of Storytelling and Narrative Creation[11:15] Different Story Structures and Their Impact[14:41] The Process of Crafting a Story[30:47] Influences and Inspirations in Storytelling[35:26] The Ethics and Authenticity in Documentary StorytellingCheck 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/.