Robinson's Podcast

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7 Jenann Ismael is the William H. Miller III Professor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, where she researches the philosophy of physics, science, mind, and metaphysics. In this episode, Robinson and Jenann discuss the role of self-reference in physics, the arrows of time, interpretations of quantum mechanics, and free will. Jenann’s latest book is Time: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2021). Jenann’s Website: https://www.jenanni.com Time: A Very Short Introduction: https://a.co/d/8fRtXFZ How Physics Makes Us Free: https://a.co/d/9OdFJ12 OUTLINE 00:00 In This Episode 00:23 Introduction 02:21 Jenann’s Entry into Philosophy of Physics 8:26 Self-Reference and the Universe 21:54 The Real-World Problem of Self-Reference 32:51 The Mentaculus 57:01 Interference and Self-Reference 1:01:55 Interference and Quantum Measurement 1:06:12 On Self-Reference and the Many-Worlds Theory of Quantum Mechanics 1:17:13 On Determinism and Free Will 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. 

Jim Al-Khalili, a theoretical physicist and author from the University of Surrey, delves into the intriguing world of quantum biology. He explains how animals like the European Robin navigate using quantum mechanics, shedding light on concepts like quantum tunneling and decoherence. The discussion also touches on the connection between quantum phenomena and biological processes, as well as how these might influence evolution. Al-Khalili's insights provide a fascinating bridge between the realms of physics and the complexities of life.

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7 Brian Leiter is Karl N. Llewellyn Professor of Jurisprudence at the University of Chicago Law School, founder and Director of Chicago’s Center for Law, Philosophy & Human Values, and is best known in the philosophical world for his work on Nietzsche and legal philosophy. He is the founding editor of the Routledge Philosophers book series, Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Law, and Philosophical Gourmet Report, which is the canonical—as well as extremely helpful and illuminating—ranking of philosophy departments and PhD programs in the English-speaking world. He also maintains the world’s most popular philosophy blog, Leiter Reports. Brian was also a guest on episode 97, where he and Robinson discussed Karl Marx, ideology, and historical materialism, but in this episode they talk about Friedrich Nietzsche’s moral psychology and his criticism of morality. Among the topics they discuss are The Genealogy of Morals, The Gay Science, moral realism and anti-realism, moral psychology, and Nietzsche’s thoughts on free will. Brian’s latest book is Moral Psychology with Nietzsche (Oxford, 2021). Brian’s Website: https://www.brianleiter.net Brian’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLeiter Leiter Reports: https://leiterreports.typepad.com Moral Psychology with Nietzsche: https://a.co/d/3dJZBeZ OUTLINE 00:00 In This Episode… 00:04 Introduction 02:14 Who Was Friedrich Nietzsche? 10:50 Naturalism in Nietzsche’s Moral Psychology 20:24 Nietzsche and the Death of God 28:36 Nietzsche and Moral Anti-Realism 40:32 Did Nietzsche Believe in Free Will? 47:43  Nietzsche and the Genealogy of Morals 01:11:50 The Main Takeaways from Nietzsche’s Moral Philosophy 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. 

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7 Neil Shubin is Robert R. Bensley Distinguished Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago. In addition to actively leading research expeditions across the globe, Neil runs the Shubin Lab, where genetic, kinematic, and paleontologic work combine to investigate some of the major transitions in evolution. In this episode, Robinson and Neil discuss some of these transitions, including the importance of the Devonian and Triassic Periods, how fish moved from water to land, and how early terrestrial environments accommodated them. Neil’s most recent book is Some Assembly Required: Decoding Four Billion Years of Life, from Ancient Fossils to DNA (Random House, 2020).  The Shubin Lab: https://shubinlab.uchicago.edu Neil’s Twitter: https://shubinlab.uchicago.edu Some Assembly Required: https://a.co/d/dnZMuSl OUTLINE 00:00 In This Episode… 00:39 Introduction 03:25 What Is Evolutionary Biology?  12:59 On The importance of the Devonian Period 20:39 Searching Antarctica for Fish Fossils 31:50 How Did Fish Become People?  54:43 Genetics and Kinematics 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. 

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7 Larry Keith is the Head of Conservation and Keeper of the National Gallery of London, where he preserves and maintains some of the world’s most precious works of art, including paintings by Leonardo, Caravaggio, and Rubens. In this episode, Robinson and Larry discuss what goes into a conservator’s appraisal of an artwork, some of the tools and techniques of the job, and how Larry has treated a number of famous paintings, such as Leonardo’s Virgin of the Rocks and Caravaggio’s The Boy and a Lizard. OUTLINE 00:00 In This Episode… 01:08 Introduction 03:19 Piere Menard and Borges 11:01 Conserving Da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks 23:28 What Goes into Conserving a Renaissance Masterpiece? 51:00 Conserving Caravaggio’s Masterpieces 01:17:32 On Authorship and Paul Rubens’ Drunken Silenus 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. 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/robinsonerhardt Jon Butterworth is Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at University College London, where he works on the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva, Switzerland. In this episode, Robinson and Jon discuss his work on the standard model of particle physics, it’s connection to quantum theory, life at the LHC, the search for the Higgs Boson, and its role in physics as we know it and going forward. Jon’s book on the Higgs boson is Most Wanted Particle: The Inside Story of the Hunt for the Higgs, the Heart of the Future of Physics (The Experiment, 2016). Most Wanted Particle: https://a.co/d/02B0H5C 00:00 Pre-Roll 00:16 Introduction 03:01 Jon’s Interest in Physics 10:02 What Is the Standard Model of Particle Physics? 19:31 How Does Quantum Theory Fit into the Standard Model?  25:28 How Does the Large Hadron Collider Work?  44:39 On The Theory Behind the Higgs Boson  56:45 Is the Higgs Boson the God Particle? 58:50 How Does The Higgs Boson Work (For Dummies)? 01:02:22 Where Does Mass Come From in the Universe?  01:11:01 The Higgs Boson, Quantum Gravity, and Meta-Stability 01:25:28 Life at the LHC 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. 

Michael Hudson, Distinguished Research Professor of Economics and President of the Institute for the Study of Long-Term Economic Trends, delves into the intricacies of debt and its pervasive influence on society. He explains the crucial role of the rentier class and critiques neoliberalism for perpetuating economic inequality. The conversation also highlights the flaws of industrial capitalism and usury in the U.S., suggesting radical debt write-offs as vital for economic recovery and reform. Hudson's insights challenge conventional views and pave the way for discussions on transformative solutions.

Adam Gazzaley is David Dolby Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Physiology, and Psychiatry in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He obtained his M.D. and Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Adam works on developing new approaches to both assess and optimize human cognition, with particular attention to underutilized but high-potential tools like video games. In this episode, Robinson and Adam discuss the cognition crisis—why our brains seem to be under such duress in the modern age—and the structural features of the brain, as well as its plasticity, and how these things can be modified and optimized to deal with the current environment. Check out Adam’s book, The Distracted Mind (MIT, 2016). Adam’s Website: https://gazzaley.com The Distracted Mind: https://a.co/d/aZm8Reg OUTLINE 00:00 In This Episode… 00:39 Introduction 03:09 Science and Medicine 07:29 What Is Brain Plasticity 11:17 What Is the Cognition Crisis? 31:48 Can Neuroscience Make Us Smarter? 43:17 Can Neuroscience Develop Technological Medicine? 54:45 On Medicinal Video Games 01:04:01 Why Doctors Might Prescribe Video Games For ADHD 01:23:49 Sleep Improvement 01:27:24 The Future of Medicinal Video Game Research 01:43:07 How We Can All Improve Cognitive Function 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. 

Chike Jeffers is Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Dalhousie University, where he researches Africana philosophy, the philosophy of race, social and political philosophy, and ethics. Lucius Outlaw is Professor of Philosophy Emeritus and W. Alton Jones Chair Emeritus in the Philosophy Department at Vanderbilt University, where he researches African, Africana, continental, social, and political philosophy. Both Chike and Lou have written widely on African and Africana philosophy, which form the subject of this episode. More particularly, Robinson, Chike, and Lou discuss the origin of Africana philosophy in the diaspora, violence in Africana philosophy, and the role of aesthetics in the tradition. For background, check out Lou’s article on Africana Philosophy in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and Chike’s work with Peter Adamson and Jonardon Ganeri on the History of Indian and Africana Philosophy Podcast. History of Indian and Africana Philosophy Podcast: https://historyofphilosophy.net/series/africana-philosophy Africana Philosophy on the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/africana/ OUTLINE 00:00 In This Episode 00:52 Introduction 03:14 What Is Africana Philosophy? 30:16 Distinguishing African and Africana Philosophy 37:16 Violence in Africana Philosophy 01:04:44 Aesthetics and Africana Philosophy 01:28:17 Final Thoughts 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. 

Juan Maldacena is Carl P. Feinberg Professor in the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study, where his work focuses on quantum gravity, string theory, and quantum field theories. In this episode, Robinson and Juan discuss the relationship between string theory and black holes, the holographic principle, and Juan’s groundbreaking paper on the AdS/CFT Correspondence. OUTLINE 00:00 In This Episode… 00:48 Introduction 04:04 What Is the Purpose of String Theory? 16:35 Working at the IAS 17:55 String Theory and The Black Hole Information Paradox 41:19 Is Space Curved? 47:00 What is Conformal Field Theory? 50:24 String Theory and the AdS/CFT Correspondence 01:27:00 Quantizing Gravity 01:40:20 De Sitter Space Correspondences 01:56:36 Fine-Tuning and String Theory 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.