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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

01:01:22

Facial Distortions and Prosopometamorphopsia | Brad...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/11/09

In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, Brad Duchaine from the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department at Dartmouth discusses prosopometamorphopsia (PMO) – a condition where individuals see distorted faces.The episode explores various manifestations of PMO, including seeing demonic features, dragons, or entirely different faces, and distinguishes it from prosopagnosia (face blindness). It delves into the neurological basis of PMO, touching upon structural and functional differences in the

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00:55:47

Should We Stay or Should We Go | Lionel Shriver...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/11/02

When is death preferable to living? Are there fates worse than death? And what sort of future society should we build?Lionel Shriver discusses her latest novel, Should We Stay or Should We Go.

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01:02:07

Parental Licensing | Connor Kianpour (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/10/26

Should you be required to get a parental license from the State before you can raise your own children? Do the wishes of parents matter at all – or should we only care about the best interests of their children?

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00:51:57

Can AI Bring Our Loved Ones Back? Inside Reflekta...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/10/17

In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, we step outside our usual format to interview Miles Spencer, founder of Reflekta — a company using cutting-edge AI to recreate digital reflections of loved ones who’ve passed away.Miles shares his personal journey of using Reflekta to reconnect with his late father and explains how the system blends voice recordings, photos, and written biographies to create realistic digital personas. The discussion covers the emotional impact, ethical questions, and

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00:51:42

Cultural Appropriation | Stephen Kershnar (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/09/30

Is it permissible for members of one group to appropriate the cultural practices of another? Is there anything wrong with cultural appropriation at all, or are there benefits to cultural appropriation?

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00:57:31

Aztec Philosophy: What the Aztecs Knew About Life |...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/09/22

How did the Aztecs understand life, morality, and human purpose? What can Aztec philosophy teach us about living well? Sebastian Purcell guides us through Aztec thought, beginning with a thought experiment from Homer’s Odyssey and moving into the core ideas of Aztec wisdom. Along the way, he contrasts Aztec ethics with Western traditions and applies them to modern debates on morality, from sex and meat consumption to life’s ultimate purpose. The conversation also takes on difficult topics like human

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00:30:11

The Assassination of Charlie Kirk

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/09/11

In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, Mark and Jasondiscuss the tragic assassination of political commentator, Charlie Kirk. The episode discusses Kirk's commitment to open dialogue and civil discourse, particularly on college campuses, and critique the societal implications of hisdeath.The episode delves into themes of free speech, academicfreedom, and the dangerous conflation of words and violence. Jason and Mark also address arguments attempting to justify or minimize Kirk's

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01:14:07

Using AI to Fight Crime | David Boonin (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/09/07

Is racial profiling always wrong, even if used by an AI to decrease crime? Should we use AI to judge criminal cases, recommend sentences for the guilty, or decide parole for prisoners?Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to AI in Crime Fighting[00:12] Thought Experiment: The Looting Scenario[06:32] Predictive Policing and AI[10:13] Debating the Ethics of AI in Law Enforcement[23:26] Affirmative Action and Racial Profiling[37:51] Balancing Crime Reduction and Social Engineering[39:00] AI in Sentencing:

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01:10:47

Are We Free at Work? Marx on Capitalism Today | Brian...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/08/31

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we’re joined by Brian Leiter, co-author (with Jamie Edwards) of a new book on Marx. We explore whether workers in contemporary capitalism are truly free—or trapped in a form of “wage slavery.” Leiter uses thought experiments to probe the limits of workplace freedom. He also examines Marx’s labor theory of value—its strengths and flaws—and shows how modern capitalism both confirms and diverges from Marx’s predictions.The conversation then turns to labor,

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00:52:04

The Possible Worlds of David Lewis | Barry Lam...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/08/25

What are possible worlds? Could you have been born to different parents, and could an object be both completely green and completely red? Barry Lam explains how David Lewis’s views on possible worlds can help us understand everything from time travel to the nature of who we are.

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01:02:39

Procreative Ethics | Rivka Weinberg (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/08/17

Is it wrong to bring new life into the world? Is adopting a child a moral obligation? Is parenting meaningful?

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00:56:18

Imagine There’s No Gender | Holly Lawford-Smith [with...

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/08/10

Would the world be better if we didn’t recognize genders?In such a world, there would be males and females, but nothing associated with what it means to be male or female other than biological facts. Men and women would be equally likely to be social leaders. And there would be no stereotypically male or female behavior.In this world, there’d be true sex equality, and, it seems, no need for trans activists. Should we fight for such a world?

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01:01:41

The Moral Lives of Spies | Cécile Fabre

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/08/03

What does a spy owe — to their country, their conscience, or their cause? In this episode, Cécile Fabre investigates the moral lives of Cold War operatives like Kim Philby and Oleg Gordievsky. With Fabre, we probe the strange morality of spies and the ethical paradoxes they inhabit.Is it ever right to betray your country? Can deception be a moral duty? These questions come to life through real stories of espionage. Competing ethical frameworks — such as utilitarian, deontological, and virtue-based —

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00:59:01

The Right to Sex | Raja Halwani (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/07/27

Do we have a right to sex, and is there an obligation to sexually fulfill the disabled? Should sex work be not only legal, but obligatory?[00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome[00:16] Exploring the Right to Sex: Thought Experiment[03:43] Negative vs. Positive Rights to Sex[09:50] State-Sponsored Sex Work and Ethical Considerations[11:52] Sexual Obligations and Imperfect Duties[23:51] Rights to Sex in Relationships and Marriage[30:43] Philosophical Grounds and Parallel Cases[31:29] Moral Implications

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01:01:25

Decriminalizing Sex Work | Jessica Flanigan

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/07/20

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we welcome back Jessica Flanigan for a discussion on the decriminalization of sex work.Using a decriminalization framework, Flanigan examines the ethics of sex work and the role of state regulation.The conversation explores autonomy, consent, and coercion. It also addresses the stigma surrounding sex work, its possible benefits, and the impact of market dynamics on both workers and clients. Flanigan offers a nuanced perspective on a complex and often controversial

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00:58:01

Disgust | Martha Nussbaum (Rebroadcast)

Brain in a Vat ·

2025/07/13

What exactly makes us feel disgusted? Is disgust for a person or group ever justified? And is disgust useful, or should we try to eliminate it?Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Disgust and Cognitive Content[00:11] Paul Rosen's Experiments on Disgust[02:16] Disgust and Its Connection to Animality and Mortality[03:05] Projective Disgust and Social Implications[05:06] Disgust in Legal Theory and Practice[08:00] Personal Anecdotes on Disgust and Social Change[11:18] Disgust Towards Transphobia and Body

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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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278 results

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