The Dissenter

Michael Price, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Brunel University London, dives into the intriguing interplay of religion and evolution. He explores how religious belief shapes meaning-making alongside scientific understanding. The discussion highlights the adaptive advantages of religio-spirituality, offering social support and cognitive resilience. Price also delves into Universal Darwinism, connecting evolutionary principles to broader concepts of purpose and morality, emphasizing how these beliefs can coexist and enhance well-being across cultures.

Dr. Jaroslava Valentova, a Professor at the University of São Paulo, dives deep into the complexities of sexual orientation and gender expression. She explores the fluidity of attraction, the implications of the Kinsey scale, and diverse cultural identities. Valentova discusses facial dimorphism in attractiveness and how grooming practices vary across societies. She highlights the transformative power of beauty in impoverished communities, illustrating how makeup can change lives and social prospects for those in need.

Join Dr. Paul Smaldino, Associate Professor at UC Merced and expert in social dynamics, as he dives into the fascinating world of modeling social behavior. He explores the challenges of constructing effective models in social sciences, comparing mathematical versus agent-based approaches. Discover insights on human psychology in social contexts, the spread of behaviors akin to contagion, and the dynamics of opinion and cooperation. Smaldino emphasizes the importance of collaboration between modelers and empirical researchers to deepen our understanding of complex social interactions.

Brian Talbot, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder, dives deep into the future of epistemology. He discusses the importance of epistemic norms and their conflicts with moral norms. The conversation shifts to the stark differences between knowledge and true beliefs, as well as the intriguing concept of 'pointless beliefs.' Talbot also introduces epistemic consequentialism, exploring how beliefs shape outcomes and challenging traditional perspectives. This enlightening dialogue uncovers the complexities of how we form beliefs in an uncertain world.

Dr. Anna Alexandrova, a Professor in Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, dives into the intricacies of quantification. She discusses the misconceptions surrounding quantitative and qualitative data, challenging the notion of objectivity in numbers. The conversation highlights ethical implications of data manipulation and the importance of diverse perspectives in measurement. Additionally, Alexandrova examines global approaches to well-being and advocates for open access in research, emphasizing the need for community involvement in understanding numerical meanings.

Joshua May, a Professor of Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, dives into neuroethics and its implications on free will. He discusses how brain manipulation and medical interventions challenge our concepts of agency and identity. The conversation explores mental health stigma and the ethics of pharmaceutical approvals, highlighting the complexities of defining mental disorders. May also tackles neuromarketing’s impact on consumer behavior and the ethical debates surrounding moral enhancement, emphasizing a nuanced approach to neuroscience.

Lawrence Anton, a YouTuber and advocate for antinatalism, dives deep into provocative concepts surrounding life and procreation. He shares his personal journey into antinatalism, linking it to animal rights activism. The discussion unpacks the asymmetry argument, questioning if life is inherently good or bad and whether we can consent to existence. Anton also explores thought experiments on the choice of being born and critiques the ethics of parenthood. Finally, he tackles the contentious notion of extinctionism and its moral implications.

Andy Clark, a Professor of Cognitive Philosophy at the University of Sussex, dives into the fascinating realm of how our minds predict and shape reality. He explains the brain as a prediction machine, where perception often resembles controlled hallucination. Expectation plays a crucial role in how we interpret sensory information, influencing everything from optical illusions to mental health. Clark also proposes a revolutionary approach to classifying mental illnesses, focusing on predictive models rather than symptoms, and discusses the promising implications for pain management and consciousness.

Zion Lights, a science communicator and author, shares her journey from working with Extinction Rebellion to founding Emergency Reactor. She discusses the dire consequences of climate change and argues for the inclusion of nuclear energy as a viable solution. Zion critiques the limitations of renewable resources and explains the intersection of ethical parenting with environmentalism. She emphasizes the need for credible information and systemic solutions to tackle climate issues effectively, urging a balanced approach in activism.

Dr. Edward Hall, a Harvard philosophy professor, delves into the philosophy of causation and the structure of reality. He discusses diverse approaches to causation across scientific disciplines and explores its metaphysical status. The conversation highlights the distinction between fundamental laws of nature and generalizations, while examining the role of context in defining causal processes. Hall questions whether causation is an intrinsic feature of reality or a human construct, revealing the complexities in our understanding of cause and effect.