Elucidations

Branden Fitelson, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University, dives into the world of reasoning fallacies and probability. He uncovers common errors like the base rate fallacy, revealing how our evolutionary history may influence these misjudgments. Fitelson critiques inductive reasoning through tangible examples, such as the bank teller inference error. He also highlights the complexities of confirmation theory and the interplay between philosophy and experimental design in understanding probabilistic reasoning. A fascinating exploration of how our thinking often leads us astray!

In this episode, Marko Malink discusses what Aristotle meant by words like 'every' and 'some,' and how his use of these words differs subtly from ours. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Peter Kail discusses the importance of David Hume's contributions to philosophy, including his thoughts on the scientific method, human psychology, and religious belief. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, John Searle explores some of the problems that come up when we try to reconcile what's obvious and self-evident about human experience with what we know about how the world works. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Delving into semantic minimalism, Emma Borg discusses the distinction between literal and implied meanings. The podcast explores how conversational context influences interpretation, contrasting semantic minimalism with context-based views. It navigates the complexities of language, highlighting the challenges of extracting literal meaning from expressions.

In this episode, Robert Richards argues that we have evolved an instinct to act for the benefit of other people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Robert Stalnaker draws a distinction between two different meanings of the word 'context,' then explores some of its philosophical ramifications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Christopher Peacocke discusses what it is to hear emotion in music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quassim Cassam, a philosophy professor at Warwick University, dives into transcendental arguments and their implications for knowledge. He discusses how skepticism challenges our understanding of existence, using examples from popular culture like Sherlock Holmes. Cassam explores strategies to counter skeptical views, emphasizing the validity of knowledge despite skeptical scenarios. He also critiques assumptions made by skeptics and unpacks Kant’s transcendental arguments, shedding light on the relationship between outer and inner experiences.

In this episode, Ben Laurence discusses the difference between what an individual person does and what a group of people does. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.