WHY? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life

Marina McCoy, a professor of philosophy at Boston College and expert on ancient thought, dives into Plato's lasting influence on modern philosophy. She discusses how Plato viewed philosophy as a practical way of living, emphasizing self-examination and dialogue. The conversation explores complex themes like truth, justice, and the role of beauty in society. McCoy highlights the relevance of Platonic ideas in addressing contemporary ethical dilemmas, urging listeners to reflect on their values amidst today’s challenges.

Cecile Fabre, a political philosopher and Senior Research Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, dives into the moral complexities of espionage. She distinguishes between the glamorized fiction of spying and the stark ethical realities intelligence agents face. The discussion highlights the necessity of ethical guidelines in espionage, exploring the balance between individual morality and legal obligations. Fabre emphasizes the importance of precise language in ethical debates and the implications of surveillance technology on our understanding of morality and secrecy.

Visiting professor Simon May discusses the evolution of love in Western culture, explores different conceptions of love, and reflects on the complexities of defining and expressing love throughout history.

If you haven't already listened to the June episode, you may need to refresh your download to get the long version. The shorter broadcast version was initially posted.

Jack visits with Adam Lovett, the author of "Democratic Failures and the Ethics of Democracy." (University of Pennsylvania Press) Lovett is a lecturer at Australian Catholic University in the School of Philosophy.

Emily McTernan, author of On Taking Offence, delves into the complexities of being offended in modern life. The podcast explores the power dynamics and social implications behind taking offense, the role of visible offense in driving social change, and the nuances of feeling offended in different settings like the classroom and societal discourse. It emphasizes the naturalness and importance of taking offense in social negotiation and democracy.

Former FBI agent and current philosophy professor Luke William Hunt discusses police ethics and deception. Topics include trust in law enforcement, public dissatisfaction with police, power dynamics, truth in police encounters, and building trust through honesty. The podcast delves into the ethical dilemmas of police deception and the importance of truthfulness in policing.

Exploring the impact of luck on our lives, the podcast delves into the limitations of predicting income based on conventional factors. It discusses the intersection of sociology and social sciences, the challenges of replicating research, and the role of luck in sociological modeling. The conversation navigates randomness within determinism, life's game of chance, and the importance of humility and gratitude in the face of luck. It advocates for acknowledging luck in decision-making for a more compassionate society.

Tommie Shelby, Harvard Professor, and Dr. Jack Weinstein discuss prison abolition vs reform, including Angela Davis' perspective, the connection between slavery and prisons, and the ethics of private prisons. They question whether the current penal system is effective and just and explore realistic approaches to a more just system.

Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Frank Lantz, the director of the New York University Game Center. They discuss the philosophy behind board games, the distinction between physical and digital games, the role of philosophy in game design, the concept of open and closed problems in gaming, the influence of pre-existing relationships with games, and the importance of games as a separate world.