Robinson's Podcast

David Albert, a professor of Philosophy at Columbia, and Tim Maudlin, a professor at NYU, discuss the measurement problem, philosophy in physics, Schrödinger's cat, Wigner’s friend, and Niels Bohr's impact on quantum mechanics and science philosophy.

Peter Singer, influential moral philosopher, discusses utilitarianism, animal welfare, and global poverty. Topics include his new podcast, Lives Well Lived, the Journal of Controversial Ideas, and his upcoming books. Exploration of controversial concepts, utilitarianism, animal welfare ethics, effective altruism, intersections of atheism and Buddhism, academic publishing controversies, and writing commitments.

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7 Victor Davis Hanson is a renowned classicist, military historian, and political commentator. He is the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow in Residence in Classics and Military History at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. Among numerous other awards, Victor was presented the National Humanities Medal in 2007. In this episode, Robinson and Victor discuss his latest book, The End of Everything: How Wars Descend into Annihilation (Basic Book, 2024), which was released on May 7th. More particularly, they cover the historical connection between annihilation and genocide, how we should interpret the past through today’s moral standards, genocides in the present, and the likelihood of World War III. Victor appeared as a guest on episode #112, in which he and Robinson talked about what was at the time Victor’s latest book, The Dying Citizen. He was also a guest on episode #191, which covered Victor’s views on the current crisis in Israel and Palestine. Keep up with Victor on Twitter, through his website, and on his podcast, The Victor Davis Hanson Show.  Victor’s Website: https://victorhanson.com Victor’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/VDHanson The Victor Davis Hanson Show: https://art19.com/shows/the-victor-davis-hanson-show  The Dying Citizen: https://a.co/d/dPocUJg The End of Everything: https://a.co/d/46O0mMB OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 03:41 On Annihilation, Extinction, and Genocide 09:31 What Causes Genocide? 16:38 The Applicability of Military Strategy to Everyday Life 24:00 On Alexander the Great 36:26 Should We Judge the People of the Past by the Moral Standards of the Present? 44:29 Uyghurs, Jews, and Genocides of the Present 50:45 What Are the Biggest Existential Threats to America? 59:28 Is World War III on the Horizon? Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com

Sean Carroll, a prominent physicist, discusses the philosophy of quantum physics, scientific realism, free will, and the end of physics. Topics include living in a simulation, the intersection of physics and philosophy, scientific and structural realism, challenges in theoretical particle physics, and the interplay of mathematics and physics. The podcast dives into quantum entanglement, the myth of the one electron, and discrete space theories in quantum gravity.

Slavoj Žižek, an iconic philosopher known for his insights into psychoanalysis and critical theory, joins Lee Smolin, a theoretical physicist and author on the foundations of physics. They delve into the interplay between Marxism and quantum mechanics, exploring time, space, and humor in science. Their conversation touches on the philosophical implications of viewing the universe as a game and discusses contemporary issues like language and political correctness. Together, they encourage fresh perspectives on the dynamic nature of scientific inquiry.

Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom discusses AI utopia, the alignment problem, and a post-scarcity world with host Robinson. They explore different types of utopias, philosophical dilemmas of immortality, and the future of technology. Topics include advanced alien civilizations, the purpose of mathematics, and why utopia is not a reality.

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7 Philip Goff is a professor of philosophy at Durham University in the United Kingdom, where he researches consciousness and the philosophy of mind. He is the best known proponent of a view about consciousness known as panpsychism, which takes mentality to be fundamental in the world rather than something that either emerges out of complex structures or exists parallel to physical objects (as an immaterial property of things like souls). In this episode, Robinson and Philip discuss the major camps in the debate over consciousness, including physicalism, dualism, and panpsychism, touching on both their strengths and weaknesses. They then turn to a few questions raised in Philip’s most recent book, Why? The Purpose of the Universe (Oxford, 2023), in which he seeks to find a middle ground between atheism and deism. Why? The Purpose of the Universe: https://a.co/d/2cqj5Us Philip’s Website: https://philipgoffphilosophy.com OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 04:41 Philip’s Interest in Consciousness 8:11 What Is Consciousness? 14:36 Is Consciousness a Spectrum?  19:42 On Dualism About Consciousness 31:37 On Physicalism and the Mind 46:56 What Is Panpsychism? 53:27 The Best Arguments for Panpsychism 57:11 Panpsychism and the Combination Problem 1:02:20 On Panpsychism and Parapsychology 1:07:06 On Panpsychism and Free Will 1:13:04 On the Fine-Tuning Problem Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between. 

Historian and journalist Vijay Prashad and Robinson delve into the Israel-Palestine conflict, discussing anti-semitism and colonialism, the legitimacy of Palestine, Noam Chomsky's views, dreams of utopia, and practical solutions for Gaza.

Jeffrey Sachs, a University Professor at Columbia University, talks with Robinson about practical solutions to the war in Gaza, geopolitics in Israel and Palestine, allegations of anti-semitism in American universities, the JFK assassination, and conspiracy theories.

Professor Emeritus Benny Morris offers insights on the Israel-Palestine conflict, discussing the refugee crisis, legitimacy of Israel, Egyptian responsibility in Gaza, propaganda, and the role of historians in shaping narratives. The conversation also delves into Muscular Judaism, the Nakba, Zionism, military tactics, and the Gaza siege, providing a historical perspective on contentious issues.