The Uncommon Wisdom Podcast

In this episode, Dan and I discuss the ethics of eating meat, and why vegetarianism and veganism aren’t as morally straightforward as many people think.Dan Shahar is a Professor of Philosophy at University of New Orleans, and the author of, among other books, Why It’s OK to Eat Meat. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Emrys and I discuss the virtuous aspects of vices such as gossip and disrespecting the views and beliefs of others, the value of frugality, and much more.Professor Emrys Westacott is a professor of Philosophy at Alfred University in New York, where he has taught since 1996. He is the author of, among other books, The Virtues of Our Vices and The Wisdom of Frugality. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Kevin and I discuss the issue of free will, the evidential problem of evil, the nature of character traits, the contours of agency, and much more. Kevin Timpe is the William H. Jellema Chair in Christian Philosophy at Calvin University. His primary research interests range across the metaphysics of free will, philosophy of disability, virtue theory, and philosophical theology Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Tom and I discuss monetary policy, why inflation is bad and unlikely to abate in the near term, how cheap money erodes prosperity, crypto-currencies, and much more.Thomas Hoenig is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, served as Vice Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 2012 until 2018, and was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a member of the Federal Reserve System's Federal Open Market Committee from 1991 to 2011.‘The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.’—Friedrich Hayek, The Fatal Conceit (1988) Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Larry M and I discuss his journey from alcoholism to recovery, insights and tools he gained in recovery like acceptance and gratitude, the role of a higher power in the process of recovery, and much more. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Phil and I discuss the 1619 Project, its virtues and vices, the New History of Capitalism, apply Public Choice theory to slavery, and more besides.Phil W. Magness is an economic historian whose work explores the intersection of history and political economy, including the 19th century as well as trends in the macroeconomy such as taxation, trade, and economic inequality. He works at the American Institute for Economic Research. His most recent book is The 1619 Project: A Critique. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Michael and I discuss the ethics of price gouging, the tendency of democratic capitalist societies toward cronyism, the platform economy, the distinction between directionalism and destinationism in politics, and much more.Michael C. Munger Professor of Political Science, and Director of the PPE Certificate Program. His primary research focus is on the functioning of markets, regulation, and government institutions. He is the author, most recently, of The Sharing Economy: Its Pitfalls and Promises. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I moderate a discussion between Robin Hanson (economist, George Mason University) and Agnes Callard (philosopher, The University of Chicago) and focused on the nature of asceticism on their podcast Minds Almost Meeting. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Tomas and I discuss whether the mind is just matter or something more, the contingency of religious belief, and many things philosophy besides.Tomas Bogardus is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Pepperdine University. He works mainly in metaphysics and epistemology, and is most interested in the mind-body problem and the rationality of religious belief. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Prof. Michael Beckley and I discuss China’s financial and military strength relative to the United States, why China’s rise looks exaggerated and misunderstood, and why a weaker-than-expected China may be more dangerous than a dominant China.Michael Beckley is an associate professor of political science at Tufts University and a Jeane Kirkpatrick Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He is the author of Unrivaled: Why American Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower from Cornell University Press (2018). Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe