

Philosophers In Space
Aaron Rabinowitz and Callie Wright
Welcome to Philosophers In Space, where the intrepid trekker captain Callie Wright and their questionable Chief Ethics Officer Aaron Rabinowitz explore the weird, gooey world of sci-fi, searching for tantalizing hypotheticals and gear-stripping questions in a space odyssey of meaning and amusement.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 15, 2025 • 1h 38min
The Dark Forest and Dark Forest Theory pt.2
The darker the forest, the brighter the philosophy! Despite all odds, we press on against the horrors of both the fictional and our real universe to talk about what happens when you try to do sociology AT SCCCCCCAAAAAAALLLLLLEEEEEE! Besides parsing the end of the book, we parse the precepts of Dark forest and whether it holds water, what are plausible objections, and what does this tell us about the reality of conflicts at smaller scales. The Dark Forest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Forest Support us at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/0G Join our Facebook discussion group (make sure to answer the questions to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/985828008244018/ Email us at: philosophersinspace@gmail.com If you have time, please write us a review on iTunes. It really really helps. Please and thank you! Music by Thomas Smith: https://seriouspod.com/ Sibling shows: Embrace the Void: https://voidpod.com/ Content Preview: Death's End pt.1 and the Ethics of Survival

Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 42min
The Dark Forest and the Wallfacer Project pt.1
More Space Opera! We're back it with the Three Body Problem series, talking about the second book in the series. For part one, we're covering the nature of the wallfacer project and how to approach a threat that's 400 years away. Part two will be all about cosmic sociology and the dark forest theory! The Dark Forest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Forest Support us at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/0G Join our Facebook discussion group (make sure to answer the questions to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/985828008244018/ Email us at: philosophersinspace@gmail.com If you have time, please write us a review on iTunes. It really really helps. Please and thank you! Music by Thomas Smith: https://seriouspod.com/ Sibling shows: Embrace the Void: https://voidpod.com/ Content Preview: The Dark Forest pt.2 and cosmic sociology

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 37min
Silo and Longterm Paternalism
The hosts dive deep into the intricacies of the series, discussing the ethical implications of a siloed society. They explore themes of rebellion and class struggle, highlighting Juliet's emotional journey amid moral ambiguity. The narrative tension builds as characters face dramatic sacrifices and confront the weight of secrets. They also tackle societal control, the stigma of disabilities, and the balance between personal autonomy and community dependence, all wrapped in philosophical insights and connections to popular culture.

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 34min
SOMA and Advanced Problems of Personhood
Dive into intriguing discussions on the philosophical implications of the video game SOMA, where players navigate existential dread and identity crises. The hosts playfully debate pronunciation, showcase camaraderie, and explore Lovecraftian ethics in gaming. They tackle profound questions around consciousness, ethics of survival, and the value of existence amidst catastrophe. Enhanced by captivating storytelling and psychological horror themes, the conversation questions the very nature of self and morality in a dystopian reality.

Apr 11, 2025 • 1h 50min
Listener Qs 40
No joke, we hit listener Qs 40 the week I also turn 40. Weird stuff. Anyway, thanks for keeping us alive over here, even if it's just to extend the torture a bit longer. Support us at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/0G Join our Facebook discussion group (make sure to answer the questions to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/985828008244018/ Email us at: philosophersinspace@gmail.com If you have time, please write us a review on iTunes. It really really helps. Please and thank you! Music by Thomas Smith: https://seriouspod.com/ Sibling shows: Embrace the Void: https://voidpod.com/ Content Preview: SOMA and Sacrifices of Theseus

Mar 15, 2025 • 2h 7min
Listener Qs 39
As always, it has been an honor and a privilege screwing up your names and worldviews. Enjoy! Support us at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/0G Join our Facebook discussion group (make sure to answer the questions to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/985828008244018/ Email us at: philosophersinspace@gmail.com If you have time, please write us a review on iTunes. It really really helps. Please and thank you! Music by Thomas Smith: https://seriouspod.com/ Sibling shows: Embrace the Void: https://voidpod.com/ Content Preview: Listener Q and As 40!

Feb 24, 2025 • 1h 23min
Starship Troopers
Join Jordan Carroll, an expert on science fiction and political ideologies, as he dives into the satirical depths of 'Starship Troopers.' He discusses how this film critiques militarism while exposing the bizarre fascination fascists have with such narratives. Explore the complexities of character transformations, the unsettling portrayal of combat, and the ethical dilemmas of state manipulation. Carroll also elaborates on how various sci-fi classics confront fascism, blending humor with profound philosophical implications.

Jan 31, 2025 • 1h 35min
Bobiverse Book Five Pt2 and Advanced AI Alignment
We're doing engineering, what could go wrong?! Thoths! That's what. Or did Thoth go wrong? Maybe all of this is entirely how it should go, maybe Mud is a savior for all Bobkind. Join us and find out, as we parse the messy balance of raising an AGI. Not till we are lost: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Till-Are-Lost-Bobiverse/dp/B0CW2345TV Superintelligence: https://www.amazon.com/Superintelligence-Dangers-Strategies-Nick-Bostrom/dp/0198739834 Support us at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/0G Join our Facebook discussion group (make sure to answer the questions to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/985828008244018/ Email us at: philosophersinspace@gmail.com If you have time, please write us a review on iTunes. It really really helps. Please and thank you! Music by Thomas Smith: https://seriouspod.com/ Sibling shows: Embrace the Void: https://voidpod.com/ Content Preview: Starship Troopers and Satirizing Fascism

Jan 17, 2025 • 1h 37min
Bobiverse Book Five Pt1 and The Seven Stories
The Bobs are back in town! We're back with book five, Not Till We Are Lost, another middle book in the bobiverse series. In this episode we cover all the plots that aren't Thoth related, and discuss the theory that there are really only seven stories out there in the world, and that's why the Bob books feel like seasons of Star Trek. Enjoy! Kurt Vonnegut and six basic plots: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180525-every-story-in-the-world-has-one-of-these-six-basic-plots Seven basic plots: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Basic_Plots Support us at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/0G Join our Facebook discussion group (make sure to answer the questions to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/985828008244018/ Email us at: philosophersinspace@gmail.com If you have time, please write us a review on iTunes. It really really helps. Please and thank you! Music by Thomas Smith: https://seriouspod.com/ Sibling shows: Embrace the Void: https://voidpod.com/ Content Preview: Bobiverse book five and advanced AI box problems.

Dec 24, 2024 • 1h 41min
Lower Decks: A Farewell to Farms (5.4)
Dive into the rich tapestry of Klingon culture and its comedic nuances in a lively analysis of the latest Star Trek adventure. The hosts explore themes of honor, leadership, and collective versus individual virtues. Discover the quirky charm of a ship's eccentric counselor, alongside the culinary mishaps of alien customs. With laughter and insight, they redefine Klingon values, emphasizing compassion over violence while reflecting on the importance of virtues in daily life. Join a spirited journey through philosophy, all stemming from a beloved sci-fi universe!