What is the difference between love, limerence, crushes and squishes? Can someone be mistaken about whether they’re in love? And is limerence harmful, or can it also have therapeutic value?

[00:00] Introduction to Love and Limerence

[00:09] Thought Experiment: Terry and Sam Seder

[01:38] Philosophical Debates on Love

[03:37] The Power of Self-Descriptions

[06:14] Exploring Limerence

[10:10] Conceptual Interactions and Sexuality

[29:23] Polyamory and Relationship Dynamics

[31:58] Understanding New Relationship Energy (NRE)

[34:02] Monogamous Perspectives on NRE and Limerence

[35:55] The Power of Naming Emotions

[36:47] Exploring Compersion

[41:13] The Science Behind Limerence

[45:28] Limerence in Therapy and Daily Life

[49:53] Limerence vs. Love

[01:01:18] Final Thoughts on Limerence and Love

How would we explain our social structures to aliens? Can we define our social groups in a way that is easy to articulate and understand?

Jason Werbeloff argues that it’s extremely difficult to answer even the simplest questions about the nature of our social groups.

Does this mean we should exclude any talk of groups when describing ourselves on the Golden Record? 

And should we understand ourselves as individuals, rather than as members of social groups?

[00:00] Introduction and Welcome

[00:21] The Voyager Golden Record

[02:17] Philosophical Inquiry: Social Groups and Aliens

[02:57] The Alien's Perspective on Social Groups

[05:08] Defining Social Groups

[12:25] Margaret Gilbert's Theory of Social Groups

[14:16] Challenges to Gilbert's Theory

[20:41] Alternative Theories and Eliminativism

[27:08] Q&A and Further Discussion

[36:20] The Vagueness of Group Identity

[37:10] Dispositional Refinement and Group Membership

[37:47] Challenges in Defining Group Membership

[38:45] Moral Responsibility and Group Identity

[40:08] Individual Accountability in Group Actions

[44:09] Degrees of Group Membership

[46:43] The Role of Group Leaders

[48:56] Relational Properties and Group Persistence

[01:05:41] Human Groups vs. Animal Groups

[01:11:30] Concluding Thoughts

Join us for an intense debate featuring Mark Oppenheimer, who defends Israel’s war as just, and Raja Halwani, who argues Israel’s war is unjust. The debate covers historical contexts, moral principles, and the roles of both Israel and Hamas, aiming to provide nuanced insights into one of the most challenging global issues of our time.

[00:00] Introduction to the Debate

[01:08] Raja's Opening Statement: Israel's War is Unjust

[11:13] Mark's Opening Statement: Israel's Right to Self-Defense

[21:37] Raja's Rebuttal: Addressing Misconceptions

[27:34] Mark's Rebuttal: The Reality of the Conflict

[32:10] Cross Examination: Raja Questions Mark

[47:45] Debating the Justification of War

[48:39] Israel's Response to October 7th

[49:59] Military Options and Intelligence

[51:11] Idealistic Solutions and International Cooperation

[52:21] Transition to Open Discussion

[52:48] Questioning Israel's Conduct in Gaza

[56:16] One-State vs. Two-State Solutions

[01:04:07] Legitimacy and Rights of Israel

[01:07:48] Hamas Ideology and Anti-Semitism

[01:10:37] Civilian Casualties and Proportionality in War

[01:18:07] Historical Context and Atrocities

[01:19:57] Gaza: Open-Air Prison or Ghetto?

[01:27:39] Closing Statements

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?

Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff 

Editor and Producer: Jimmy Mullen

Is immortality a blessing or a curse? Would eternal life be boring, meaningless, and amoral?

Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff 

Editor and Producer: Jimmy Mullen 

Why is free speech valuable? Should there be any limits on what we are allowed to say? Should we tolerate words that are hateful?

Hosted by Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff

Produced and Edited by James Mullen

How do scientists and philosophers work together to make progress on the nature of the cosmos, the meaning of life, and what it means to flourish? The John Templeton Foundation funds work on the intersection of philosophy and science in some of the most important questions of our time.

Hosted by Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff

Edited and Produced by James Mullen

Can music be objectively good (or bad)? How should we understand fundamental disagreement about preferences and values? And should philosophical discussion be theory driven or should we use another methodology?

Are we obligated to save strangers? Does it matter whether those strangers are in different countries or our in own? And even if we are not obligated, have we done something wrong if we help but not in the most efficient way possible?

Theron's book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-rules-of-rescue-9780190884147?q=pummer&lang=en&cc=us

Hosted by Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbleoff

Produced by Jimmy Mullen

What makes a good apology? Are we ever obligated to apologize even though we did nothing wrong? And how should we deal with apologies in this highly politicized landscape?

Hosted by Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff

Edited and produced by James Mullen

Everything Everywhere All at Once is a magnificent mess. The film raises questions around the meaning of life, the nature of the multiverse, and how we should understand free will in a world filled with counterfactuals.

Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff 

Editor and Producer: Jimmy Mullen  

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop

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

Hosted by Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff

Edited and Produced by James Mullen

Ben Stiller's superb series, Severance, raises fascinating questions about the nature of personal identity. Are we minds or brains? Is it possible for two persons to inhabit the same body? And can a person survive gaps in their existence?

Hosted by Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff

Edited and Produced by James Mullen

How do digital interactions, specifically through gaming, form genuine friendships? Nicholas Baima challenges the traditional notion that physical presence is essential for true friendship.

By examining ancient ethical theories, especially Aristotle's various forms of friendship, the episode debates whether online friendships can reach the purest form of friendship. 

The conversation also addresses potential drawbacks, such as gaming culture's sometimes toxic behavior and the unique opportunities gaming affords for connecting people from diverse backgrounds.

Link to Nicholas Baima’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Its-OK-Be-Gamer/dp/1032312130 

[00:00] Introduction to the Series and Guest

[00:20] Thought Experiment: Friendship in Gaming

[01:23] Debating the Nature of Virtual Friendships

[02:50] Philosophical Perspectives on Friendship

[04:30] Gaming and Ethical Theories

[11:53] Gaming as a Shared Adventure

[14:19] Idealization and Authenticity in Online Friendships

[24:59] The Depth of Gaming Friendships

[26:01] Aristotelian Friendship and Gaming

[27:12] Challenges of Maintaining Gaming Friendships

[28:28] The Social Dynamics of Online Gaming

[29:44] Toxicity and Anonymity in Online Gaming

[32:46] Game Design and Social Interactions

[35:14] Gender and Gaming Communities

[37:48] Gaming as Character Development

[44:03] The Value of Gaming Activities

[45:47] AI and the Illusion of Friendship

[48:09] Emotional Connections with Non-Playable Characters

[49:43] Concluding Thoughts on Friendship and Gaming

As Russia wages an unjust war against Ukraine, questions around the ethics of war abound. Are soldiers fighting for the wrong side ever justified in killing? Should we punish these soldiers even if they were coerced by their State to fight? And is it ever justified to kill civilians?

Read Jeff's book here: amazon.com/Killing-War-Uehiro-Practical-Ethics/dp/019960357X

Hosted by Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff

Edited and Produced by James Mullen

What is an "Aha" moment, and why does it matter for our lives? Sophie Grace Chappel argues that our ethics and value system should be formed around our epiphanies.

Hosted by Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff

Edited and Produced by James Mullen

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/braininavat

Contact us: Mark.Oppenheimer[at]gmail and Jwerbe[at]gmail

Could you be a brain in a vat, or be living in a simulated or virtual reality? Could you live a meaningful, valuable existence even if you were?

Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff

Editor and Producer: Jimmy Mullen

Why is the truth important? Who decides what the truth is? Is there such a thing as objective, eternal truth, or is truth simply a matter of perspective, of linguistic or cultural vantage point?  

Simon's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Simon-Blackburn/dp/0190867213

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop 

Mark.Oppenheimer[at]gmail and Jwerbe[at]gmail

What is creativity and how does it work? Is all creativity valuable? What are the pre-conditions for creativity, and how should Jason overcome his writer's block?

If everything was created by a cause, is God the creator of the Universe? Is God an uncaused cause? Could God have abandoned his creation?  

Majesty of Reason: https://www.youtube.com/c/MajestyofReason

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop

Lia Thomas, a trans woman, has sparked controversy by competing in and winning women’s collegiate swimming events. Should Thomas and other trans athletes be allowed to compete in the gendered competition of their choice?

Is evolution the root cause of racism, rape, and disgust? Are differences between men and women a result of both nature and nurture? Are some forms of scientific inquiry too dangerous to allow?  

Justin's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Biological-Mind-Philosophical-Introduction/dp/0367466317 

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop

Dune contains a sophisticated moral dilemma - should Paul Atreides sacrifice billions of lives to avoid humanity's extinction? The answer echoes through the way we should deal with global climate change today.

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop 

Contact us: Mark.Oppenheimer[at]gmail and Jwerbe[at]gmail

Some of the world's greatest discoveries were made by those on the fringe. Should scientists be encouraged to explore crazy ideas? Does the search for truth depend more on geniuses or a social butterflies?   

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop 

Contact us: Mark.Oppenheimer[at]gmail and Jwerbe[at]gmail

Should we consider gaming as potentially addictive? Sarah Malanowski argues gaming is much like any other beneficial hobby: it provides a sense of community, challenge, and personal growth. She argues gaming is unfairly stigmatized, and should instead be seen as a valuable tool for growing character.

Link to Sarah’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Its-OK-Be-Gamer/dp/1032312130 

[00:00] Introduction to the Discussion

[00:06] Thought Experiment: The New Hobby

[02:51] Cam's Story: A Real-Life Testimonial

[04:23] The Four Reasons for Gaming

[05:37] Contrasting Perspectives on Gaming

[06:03] The Physical vs. Virtual Social Connection

[07:59] The Ethics of Hobbies: Grave Robbing vs. Gaming

[09:49] Violence in Video Games: A Longstanding Debate

[16:35] Gaming Addiction: A Clinical Perspective

[20:25] Gaming's Potential Positive Impact

[27:55] The Stigma Around Gaming

[30:02] Gaming and Addiction: A Philosophical Perspective

[36:28] Evaluating the Worth of Different Games

[39:12] Ethics and Morality in Gaming

[43:26] Comparing Gaming to Other Activities

[52:43] Intrinsic Value of Gaming

[55:41] Conclusion

Is your sexual orientation determined by the sex or the gender of the person you’re attracted to? How does gender fluidity impact sexual orientation? Are there other sexual orientations like demisexuality, sapiosexuality and more?

Are Jean Jacques Rousseau's confessions trustworthy? Can we consciously decide to forget our sins? Should we be held accountable for all of our actions, including the ones we don't intend?

How important is it to treat people with dignity, or respect? Do institutions and groups, rather than individuals, owe us dignity? And if we have to choose, should we strive for a society that is dignified or a society that is happy?

Colin’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Human-Dignity-Political-Criticism-Colin/dp/1108832024

Should citizens have the right to bear arms? Are guns necessary to defend yourself from criminals, invading militants, and your own government? Should guns be banned because of school shootings, suicides, and accidental deaths? 

Should we sacrifice our time and convenience to save animals? Jeff Sebo argues we must, but more than that, it's in our self-interest to do so. 

Jeff's book: https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Animals-Ourselves-Pandemics-Catastrophes-ebook/dp/B09RKHL8QB

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop

Is there life after death? Are near-death experiences meaningful? Are they similar to other altered states like meditation and drug induced hallucinations?   

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop 

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop

Travis Timmerman shows us what can we learn about morality, democracy, and exploitation from Squid Game.

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop

Is it possible to be morally responsible for a choice even if you could not have chosen otherwise? Can you have free will even if God knows ahead of time what you are about to choose? John Fischer argues the answer is yes.

Does a fetus have a right to its mother's womb? Are we obligated to have as many children as possible? And must pro-lifers assassinate abortion doctors?

We recently aired an episode with Stephen Kershnar on sexual taboos. A clip from that episode has been viewed over a million times on Twitter, and on many news channels. We address the controversy surrounding Stephen's position.

What makes for good philosophy? How has philosophy impacted popular culture? Can sci-fi be good philosophy? And can we inspire philosophical inquiry despite not strictly adhering to rigorous philosophical methods?

[00:00] Introduction to Bad Philosophy

[00:51] The Repugnant Conclusion

[03:09] Criteria for Good Philosophy

[06:05] Examples of Good Philosophy

[06:26] Defining Bad Philosophy

[07:29] Critique of Continental Philosophy

[18:17] Philosophical Fiction and Pop Culture

[30:36] The Value of Teaching Philosophy

[34:03] Teaching Philosophy: Balancing Quality and Diversity

[39:35] Science Fiction and Philosophy

40:16 The Role of Fiction in Philosophical Thought Experiments

[53:59] Controversial Philosophical Arguments

[01:10:31] Meta-Philosophy and Peer Disagreement

[01:12:25] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Should there be an age of consent? Is it wrong to fantasize about someone against their will? Is it wrong to lust after someone because of their race?   

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop

What makes the 'you' of yesterday the same 'you' today? Should we care about future people who don't yet exist, and should we prevent climate change if it means preventing people from coming into existence?

Is there a core to who we are that is unchanging or unique? Do people have characters, personalities, or neither?

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop

Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop

In our final episode for 2021, we reveal a surprise we've been working on all year, and tell you about the exciting episodes planned for 2022.

Destructive forces have been eroding the University of Cape Town, Africa’s leading university. David Benatar tells the sad, true tale of what has been transpiring. It is a saga of lunacy, criminality, pandering, and identity politics. The mad and the bad – the deranged, deluded, the depraved – have been granted endless latitude in bullying and abusing others.

What are possible worlds? Could you have been born to different parents, and could the laws of physics be different? Barry Lam explains how David Lewis’s views on possible worlds can help us understand everything from the nature of time to free will.

Listen to more of Barry’s episodes on David Lewis on Hi-Phi nation here: https://hiphination.org/season-5/

Is it possible to hope for something good, but feel despair that it won't happen? Is it virtuous to feel hopeful? Can hoping make you act recklessly? 

In a world where we disagree about pretty much everything - about borders and abortion, marriage and monogamy, wars and meat-eating - how do you maintain confidence in your own moral position? And can you convince the moral nihilist you're right?

Marginalized people, animals, found objects, wires and childlike drawings inhabit the unlocatable worlds presented in Ballen's artworks. Ballen describes his works as existential psychodramas that touch the subconscious mind and evoke the underbelly of the human condition. They aim to break through the repressed thoughts and feelings by engaging him in themes of chaos and order, madness or unruly states of being, the human relationship to the animal world, life and death, universal archetypes of the psyche and experiences of otherness.  https://www.youtube.com/c/RogerBallenPhotography https://www.rogerballen.com/

YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/oODP1IsFj5I

Rebecca Tuvel, Dan Cullen and Eric Samson interview Peter Singer about pandemic ethics. Are lockdowns and mandatory vaccines morally justified? What should governments have done differently? Why were there calls to cancel this lecture?  

https://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2021/09/peter-singer-invited-to-give-a-zoom-talk-about-pandemic-ethics-by-the-philosophy-department-at-rhode.html 

https://dailynous.com/2021/09/28/faculty-at-rhodes-college-urge-cancellation-of-online-talk-by-peter-singer/

Perry Hendricks argues that abortion restrictions are beneficial, especially to black women, by preventing them from engaging in what he presupposes is the wrongful act of abortion. The conversation critically examines the ethics of abortion, the impact of restrictions on black women, and the broader societal implications. We discuss paternalism, state authority, the moral status of embryos, and the consequences of imposing restrictions amidst uncertainty about the moral status of abortion.

[00:00] Introduction to the Abortion Debate with Perry Hendricks

[00:09] Thought Experiments on Moral Choices

[01:04] Exploring the Ethics of Abortion Restrictions

[04:02] The Objective vs. Subjective Well-being Debate

[08:15] Revisiting the Ethics and Implications of Abortion Restrictions

[12:01] The Complexities of Abortion Ethics and Societal Impacts

[29:58] Paternalism and Political Legitimacy in Abortion Laws

[34:09] Considering Unborn Children as Citizens: A Philosophical Inquiry

[40:17] The Impact of Abortion Restrictions on Different Groups

[47:40] Navigating Uncertainty in Abortion Ethics

[53:16] The Moral Quandary of Infanticide and Time Travel

[01:01:08] Academic Freedom and the Controversy of Publishing

Should you disobey the law, at least some of the time? If justice isn’t simply enforcing the law, then what is it? And what sorts of laws would we have in a just society?

Should certain weapons be banned from use in war? Are there limits on the amount of force countries should use to protect their citizens? Is it ever justified to kill innocent civilians to end a war?

ICJ Advisory Opinion: https://www.icj-cij.org/en/case/95

Is Democracy the best political system? Plato thought not. But what is the best alternative? Clif Mark, from the podcast Good in Theory, joins us this week to discuss Plato’s Republic.

https://goodintheorypod.com/