Conversations with Peter Boghossian

Africa Brooke, an author and consultant specializing in self-sabotage and self-censorship, shares her powerful journey of overcoming a decade-long alcohol addiction. In this conversation, she unpacks the roots of self-sabotage and how societal pressures contribute to destructive behaviors. Africa discusses the importance of radical self-honesty, the allure of compassion in unexpected encounters, and the complexities of love and identity post-sobriety. Her insights on navigating these challenges provide a refreshing perspective on personal growth.

Dr. Jan Bentz, a lecturer at Oxford specializing in medieval and modern philosophy, delves into a variety of thought-provoking topics. He explores the interplay between friendship and philosophy through the Socratic method, emphasizing constructive criticism. Bentz critiques utopian ideals and discusses the complexities of human nature, belief, and suffering, highlighting the importance of genuine connections. He also examines the limits of scientific inquiry and argues for a nuanced understanding of knowledge, advocating for communal understanding in navigating modern existential risks.

Clinton Staley, Professor emeritus of computer science at Cal Poly and Principia College, shares insights on the ethical dilemmas of AI and its philosophical implications. He discusses how to measure morality in technology and the differences between human and artificial intelligence. The conversation also explores the limitations of AI in making ethical decisions and the prospect of AI consciousness. Additionally, they tackle the intriguing idea of humanity living in a simulation, weaving in thoughts on extraterrestrial life and science fiction influence.

Kirsten Hall Herlin, an Assistant Professor at UATX and a distinguished scholar of literature, shares her insights on the transformative power of literature. She examines the intersection of AI and critical social justice, debating whether AI could ever win a Pulitzer Prize. Kirsten emphasizes the unique human consciousness behind writing and how literature can unite us amid societal divides. Personal experiences and the literary legacies of figures like Jane Austen add depth to this engaging conversation about authenticity and the emotional journey of writing.

Joseph Henrich, a distinguished anthropologist and evolutionary biologist at Harvard, dives into the fascinating roots of WEIRD societies. He unpacks how cultural learning shapes social behavior, especially during adolescence, and critiques biases in psychological research. The discussion explores kinship structures' influence on politics and economics, alongside Western Christianity’s role in fostering individualism. Henrich also highlights the resurgence of witchcraft in modern culture as a response to societal trust issues, demonstrating the complex interplay between culture, belief, and cooperation.

Yasmine Mohammed and Peter Boghossian discuss women's oppression under Islam and Western Feminism's silence on the issue. Follow Yasmine: Free Hearts Free Minds Yasmine Mohammad Podcast Yasmine's book, "Unveiled: How the West Empowers Radical Muslims" Clarity Coalition Yasmine on Instagram, Facebook, and X Watch this episode on YouTube.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Alex Priou, a professor and contributor to The New Thinkery, explores pivotal philosophical questions. He delves into the fragility of civilization and the essence of a good life, stressing how ideology can hijack personal beliefs. The conversation highlights the importance of the Socratic method in education, the challenges of diversity in academic settings, and the role of AI in promoting open dialogue across ideological divides. Priou emphasizes embracing uncertainty to cultivate a richer understanding of existence.

Greg Lukianoff, an advocate for free speech and head of FIRE, dives deep into the current landscape of free expression in academia. He discusses the troubling normalization of violence among students and how it threatens open discourse. The conversation highlights the complex relationship between mental health and free speech on college campuses, urging for a balanced approach. Lukianoff also critiques the ideological capture of teacher’s unions and calls for urgent reforms to protect academic freedom and integrity.

Alan Davison is one of the leading international scholars in the field of cultural history of the long nineteenth century, focusing on the intersection of music and visual culture, portraits of musicians and the reception and representation of the famous Hungarian composer-pianist Franz Liszt. In this episode, Alan and Peter discuss Critical Theory, the ideological capture of universities, and why bad ideas flourish in academic settings. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Jeremy Carl is a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute and has had a varied career, primarily in the public policy arena. His work at Claremont examines nationalism, immigration, technology, and a variety of other subjects. Prior to joining Claremont, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior under President Trump. In this episode, Peter and Jeremy discuss Jeremy's new book, The Unprotected Class: How Anti-White Racism Is Tearing America Apart. They discuss this topic as well as Critical Race Theory, Social Justice, and more. Jeremy on X: https://x.com/realJeremyCarl Jeremy's website: https://www.jeremycarl.com/ Watch the episode on YouTube.