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PODCAST

Brain in a Vat

Thought experiments and conversations with philosophers. Hosted by Dr Jason Werbeloff and Mark Oppenheimer.

society & culture philosophy

All Episodes

00:59:38

Patriotism Unpacked | Spencer Case (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/07/06

What does it mean to be patriotic, or to love your country? Some argue that patriotism is virtuous because it allows us to transcend our selfish needs and act for the good of our community. But others argue that patriotism is overly narrow-minded, arbitrary and sometimes immoral.Microdigressions Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Micro-DigressionsChapters:[00:00] Introduction to Brain Nevada[00:27] Exploring John Lennon's 'Imagine'[01:11] Critique of Utopian Ideals[01:52] Possessions and National

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01:01:44

Is Tarot a Tool for Thought? | Georgi Gardiner

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/06/29

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, Georgi Gardiner returns to explore the epistemic value of tarot: its capacity to shape self-understanding, spark creative reflection, and influence major life decisions.Drawing on personal experience and philosophical analysis, Georgi examines how tarot can serve as a mirror for introspection while also raising concerns about confirmation bias and self-deception. The discussion also considers the history and diversity of tarot practices, and compares tarot with

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00:55:21

Living The Philosophical Life | Agnes Callard

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/06/22

In this episode, Brain in a Vat is joined by public philosopher and author Agnes Callard to explore the relevance of philosophy in everyday life. Drawing from her work on Socrates, Agnes makes a case for why philosophical inquiry matters, now more than ever. From the pig farmer analogy to Socratic love, this conversation is a deep dive into how philosophy is a way of life.Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to the Guest and Topic[00:44] The Monologue vs. Dialogue Experiment[06:50] Philosophical Training

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00:59:21

The Israel Palestine Conflict | David Benatar

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/06/15

Are Jews entitled to their own homeland? Is the Israeli response to the massacre of civilians perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th justified? Should there be a ceasefire? David's Article in Quillette: https://quillette.com/2023/10/21/its-not-the-occupation/ Raja Halwani wrote to us about Jason's exposition of his view at 33:06. Here is Raja's clarification:**I wanted to clarify a point that Jason made during the interview with David Benatar. Jason asked Benatar what he thought of the view

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00:47:59

The Ideal State: An AI Debate - Plato vs Nozick

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/06/08

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we examine two competing political visions through an AI debate between Plato and Robert Nozick. Plato defends rule by philosopher kings and a unified society, while Nozick argues for individual liberty and a minimal state. Following our previous episode featuring Mill and Kant, we continue investigating major philosophical divides through thought experiments like the Allegory of the Cave and the Experience Machine. The episode considers justice, autonomy, and the

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01:13:57

Organ Markets | James Stacey Taylor (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/06/01

Should we be allowed to sell our organs on the open market? Would the poor be exploited under such a system? And does organ donation impose an unfair burden on the relatives of those that need a transplant?

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01:07:23

Academic Freedom in Universities | Eric Sampson and...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/05/25

Eric Sampson and Rebecca Tuvel explore the contested issue of academic freedom. They discuss the tensions that emerge when universities try to balance the promotion of diverse intellectual perspectives with concerns over potential harm to community members, as seen in controversies involving figures like philosopher Peter Singer. Drawing on debates about gender, race, and ethics, they analyze the institutional challenges of fostering open inquiry while ensuring a safe and respectful academic

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01:02:09

Children's Rights and Parenting | Connor Kianpour and...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/05/18

Connor examines involuntary commitment, substance abuse disorders, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding parenting and children's welfare. Should children be allowed to transition genders? When is the state justified in removing children from harmful environments? And what is the role of non-parental caregivers in a child's life?Join us for this thought-provoking episode that pushes the boundaries of our intuitions and ethical considerations around children's rights.[00:00] Introduction

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00:58:01

Are Conspiracy Theories Right? | Jared Millson and...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/05/11

Jared Millson delves into the intriguing world of conspiracy theories, exploring well-known cases like Pizzagate and lesser-known but historically significant events such as the COINTELPRO. The discussion spans the definitions and philosophical debates about what constitutes a conspiracy theory, the criteria for evaluating these theories, and the psychological and sociopolitical impacts they have on society.Tune in to understand why some conspiracy theories should not be immediately dismissed and

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01:05:15

Animal Liberation Now | Peter Singer (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/05/04

Peter Singer delves into difficult ethical questions regarding animal rights, the morality of factory farming, and difficult human-related ethical dilemmas.Singer discusses his views as a consequentialist, examining the impact of our choices on animal suffering, the ethical considerations around organ donation from anencephalic children, and the broader implications of such decisions.What are the moral implications of eating meat from factory farms versus ethically raised animals, and cannibalism

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00:55:05

End Taxes? | Jessica Flanigan

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/04/27

Jess Flanigan argues that personal income tax is illegitimate. But is the state ever justified in extracting money from its population to pay for public goods? Are property taxes and privatization of state functions better options? And if taxes are illegitimate, are we permitted, or even obligated, to stop paying our taxes?[00:00] Introduction and Thought Experiment[02:40] Justifying Taxes for Public Goods[03:40] Alternative Tax Systems[07:27] The Egalitarian Distribution Debate[13:15] The

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01:01:12

The Problem with Democracy | Jason Brennan (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/04/20

If most voters are misinformed, is democracy legitimate? What sort of voting system should we have in its place? And should some votes count more than others?[00:00] Introduction to the Problems of Democracy[00:17] Brexit: A Case Study in Misinformed Voting[05:33] Voter Behavior: Social Benefits and Signaling[18:29] The Legitimacy of Democratic Systems[30:32] The Challenge of Political Incentives[33:02] The Abortion Debate and Judicial Power[36:41] Depoliticizing Social Life[43:10] Proposals for

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00:58:00

Mass Shootings | Kurt Blankschaen

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/04/13

Does our common understanding of mass shootings help us to prevent them?Blankschaen argues that our common beliefs and media narratives around gun ownership, mental illness, and school policies are unhelpful in preventing future mass shootings.Can we even provide an adequate definition of mass shootings? Should we give up the concept of mass shootings altogether, and focus instead on the particular shooters and victims in each circumstance?Read Kurt’s paper here:

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00:58:02

The Problems with Virtue Ethics | Travis Timmerman

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/04/06

Through comparisons to consequentialism and deontological ethics, Travis dissects the core principles and critiques of virtue ethics. Along the way, we discuss moral dilemmas, the application of virtues, and the real-world implications of ethical theories. Whether you're a student of philosophy or just curious about moral reasoning, this discussion provides deep insights into the essence of virtuous behavior and its place in ethical discourse.[00:00] Introduction and Welcome[00:14] The Drowning

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01:11:13

The End Goal of Wokeness | Nathan Cofnas

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/03/30

What is the underlying logic of woke ideology? Is it consistent, and can it justify the pursuit of equality of outcome, such as redistributing wealth and land?Cofnas discusses the origins and evolution of wokeism, the moral and empirical premises underlying it, and the political dynamics between conservatives and liberals.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing debates around equity, discrimination, and social justice.You can also check out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy

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00:57:38

Effective Altruism and Making a Difference | Jacob Bauer

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/03/23

How should we allocate our donations to address global issues effectively? Jacob discusses the principles guiding Effective Altruism, the importance of evidence-based charitable giving, the ethical implications of supporting local versus global causes, and the challenges of predicting long-term impacts.The episode also delves into the significant debate within the effective altruism community about how to prioritize immediate needs versus future generations, and the potential benefits and risks

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00:51:03

Ultimate Meaning | Rivka Weinberg (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/03/16

Is it possible for us to lead meaningful lives? Is there an ultimate point to our existence? Can we enrich our lives with the pursuit of love, knowledge and friendship? [00:00] Introduction to the Meaninglessness of Life[00:14] Tolstoy's Existential Crisis[01:39] The Appropriateness of Sadness[04:18] Everyday Meaning vs. Ultimate Meaning[06:13] The Metaphysical Argument[10:57] The Role of Accomplishments[17:42] Philosophical Temperaments and Existential Angst[23:14] The Value of Human

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00:51:12

Affirmative Action and Medical School | Stephen Kershnar

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/03/09

Join us for a provocative episode on Brain in a Vat as we rejoin the infamous Stephen Kershnar, whose prior discussions have made headlines. This episode delves into affirmative action, demographic considerations in education and employment, and the ethics of statistical predictions informed by race.The discussion debates the legitimacy and consequences of using race, gender, and other demographic factors in decision-making processes across various fields, from medicine and law to parole decisions

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01:02:05

Should Only Queer Actors Play Queer Roles? | Kurt...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/03/03

Was Kit Conner obligated to reveal his queer sexual orientation to play his role as a queer character on ‘Heartstopper’? Timmerman and Blankschaen argue that straight actors can authentically portray queer characters, addressing issues of character versus performer authenticity, potential harm to marginalized actors, and the broader impact on the industry. They respond to various objections and explore the philosophical and ethical nuances surrounding representation in media.[00:00] Introduction and

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01:12:08

The Moral Circle: Are AI and Animals Included? | Jeff...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/02/23

Who should be included in our 'moral circle' when we make our moral decisions? Jeff discusses the ethical responsibilities we might have towards non-human beings, such as Neanderthals, AIs, or even figments of our imagination. The conversation critically examines issues related to animal welfare, the complexities of population ethics, and the potential future implications of artificial intelligences with possible sentience.[00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome[03:13] Neanderthal and Robot

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