Walden Pod

Ralph Stefan Weir and Ben Watkins debate whether there is a sound argument from mental causation to materialism. Is the interaction problem for substance dualism fake or fatal?  My interview with Dr. Weir on substance dualism:   • You Are A Soul — w/ Ralph Stefan Weir   Dr. Ralph Stefan Weir is the author of The Mind-Body Problem and Metaphysics: An Argument from Consciousness to Mental Substance. He teaches philosophy at the University of Lincoln and is an Associate Member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford.  Ben Watkins is the co-host of the excellent philosophy of religion podcast, Real Atheology   / @realatheology   Linktree

The discussion dives into the intriguing clash between free will and determinism, challenging the notion that we can't will what we will. It highlights the idea that even if ultimate responsibility is elusive, we still hold accountability for our actions. The concept of dispositional compatibilism proposes that our causal powers shape our choices, similar to qualities like fragility. The conversation also touches on how individual agency can exist within deterministic frameworks, enriching our understanding of freedom in everyday life.

Durham University hosted a conference about panpsychism, pantheism, and panentheism last November, and I was graciously given the opportunity to respond to Joanna Leidenhag and Tim Mulgan. Professor Leidenhag and Professor Mulgan both spoke about alternative models of theism, and I offered a few thoughts and objections to their respective models of God.  On Durham's website, you can listen to all the full lectures from the event: https://sites.google.com/view/panpsychismandpanentheism/project-events/durham-workshop?authuser=0 Linktree 00:00 Emerson Green  15:40 Joanna Leidenhag  23:37 Tim Mulgan  31:00 Q&A

We explore the nature of dreams. We discuss Daniel Dennett's cassette theory, which questions whether dreams are genuine experiences that occur during sleep, instead suggesting that dreams are spontaneous memory insertions at awakening. This theory contrasts with the common view that dreams involve phenomenal states in real time. However, lucid dreaming challenges the cassette theory. We also question the reality of "dreamless sleep" and examine prophetic, precognitive, and shared dreams.  Linktree

Delve into the fascinating theory of aetherism, which suggests that consciousness exists independently of the brain. Explore the idea that the brain acts as a receiver, not a producer, of consciousness. Engage with William James's philosophical insights, advocating for a view of consciousness that transcends materialism. The discussion raises intriguing questions about the afterlife and the significance of all conscious beings. This captivating exploration challenges traditional beliefs and opens the door to new understandings of consciousness.

Monistic Idealism's video Both Sides Brigade - Interacting with the Interaction Problem My dualism playlist Majesty of Reason on the interaction problem You Are A Soul w/ Ralph Stefan Weir Linktree

We dive into the philosophy of personal identity, exploring whether a consistent "self" persists through time despite physical and mental changes. Is there an essential core that endures transformations? We examine the Ship of Theseus, the deadly and murderous teletransporter which murders people, the “no self” view associated with Hume, mind uploading, Ralph Stefan Weir’s dilemma for transhumanists, and whether Socrates could have been an alligator. Linktree 

Philip Goff, a Professor of Philosophy at Durham University and author of 'Consciousness and Fundamental Reality,' dives into the intriguing realm of consciousness. He tackles type-b physicalism and the concept of philosophical zombies, challenging the tenets of materialism. Goff critiques current frameworks of consciousness, exploring the implications of personal experience versus theoretical knowledge. The discussion also ventures into the evolution of belief and the reimagining of religion, inviting a fresh perspective on faith and spirituality.

Ralph Stefan Weir, a philosophy professor and author of "The Mind-Body Problem and Metaphysics," shares his insights into consciousness and dualism. He delves into the disembodiment and parity arguments, challenging property dualism and exploring the implications of the soul's existence. The conversation also critiques physicalism and examines the historical narratives that shaped philosophical thought, all while connecting metaphysics to modern issues like transhumanism and personal identity.

I am once again begging apologists to stop treating atheism and materialism as interchangeable concepts. It's intellectual laziness at best and dishonesty at worst. This was originally a short video posted on my youtube channel. Linktree