Brain in a Vat

Matt Lutz, an expert in moral philosophy, challenges the concept of objective moral facts and explores the subjective nature of moral judgments. The podcast delves into the impact of moral beliefs on individual and societal behavior, while discussing the potential consequences of accepting moral error theory.

Is morality real, a social construct, or non-existent? Can we rely on our moral intuitions? And are moral truths inaccessible to us?

Natasha Hausdorff, Expert on Israel and the Middle East, discusses Israel's justified response to Hamas. They explore factors contributing to terrorist attacks, South Africa's unfounded accusations of genocide, the disproportionate focus on Israel, misrepresentation of Israel's control of Gaza Strip, and the future of Gaza Strip governance and security.

Does the biology you were born with trump self-identity when determining your sex or gender? Is gender innate, or can it change? And what can real-life cases of children being reassigned their sex at birth teach us? Alex's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Gender-Sex-Facts-Fictions/dp/1509560017/

The podcast explores John Rawls' theory of justice as fairness and the social contract tradition. It discusses the importance of fair rules, explores the concept of the social contract and the veil of ignorance, and delves into the concept of justice in relation to wealth distribution. The podcast also discusses whether animals should be considered in Rawls' theory of justice and explores different types of societies and foreign policy in a liberal just democracy. It concludes with an exploration of John Rawls' suggested rules in the original position and the value of ignorance.

Discussion on near-death experiences, their impact on individuals and belief systems, comparison to other altered states like meditation. Exploring supernatural explanations and the complexity of deceased loved ones. Phenomenon of visual and auditory experiences in the blind and deaf. Inducing near-death experiences and exploring different views on personal identity.

Andy Kuper, founder and CEO of LeapFrog Investments, discusses marrying profit with purpose to impact the lives of 200 million low-income people worldwide. They explore the scalability of for-profit companies, the appeal of commercial impact investing, and the connection between poverty alleviation and inequality. Kuper also shares their journey from philosophy to addressing poverty.

This podcast episode explores the application of evolutionary theory to the mind, including its potential implications for racism and homophobia. It delves into the concept of group traits and their contribution to survival. The intersection of evolutionary psychology and mental illness is discussed, along with intelligence differences between genders. The chapter also challenges stereotypes about gender differences and emphasizes evidence-based research.

Lia Thomas, a trans woman, sparks controversy by competing and winning women's collegiate swimming events. Should trans athletes be allowed to compete in the gendered competition of their choice? Discussions include perspectives on consequentialism and non-consequentialism in determining eligibility, objections to discrimination in sports, implications of inequal protections, and the challenges of determining conflicting autonomy and interests in sports.

Exploring the idea of living in a computer simulation and virtual reality, including the implications and philosophical considerations. Discussing the constraints and possibilities of a simulated world and the concept of personal identity in relation to virtual reality. Raising questions about consciousness in non-biological beings and the moral implications of simulated beings. Sharing survey results on the frequency of changes in philosophical views among professional philosophers.