The Uncommon Wisdom Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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This is an AI-generated podcast discussing an article of mine on the issue of personal identity. Who are you? What makes you who you are? These are central questions in the philosophy of personal identity. My article adds to the debate by arguing that the simple fact that we can see ourselves in the mirror is well-explained by, and so evidence for, the metaphysical theory that we are merely biological organisms—or, ‘human animals’ according to the philosophical terminology. The article can be found online HERE. Or, to get around the paywall, visit HERE.

I checked the audio for accuracy, but the level of rigor ain't great. In any case, if you would prefer to listen to audiobots — that sound like NPR hosts — discussing my work in an easy to digest format, then enjoy!

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Please like, share, comment, and subscribe. It helps grow the newsletter and podcast without a financial contribution on your part. Anything is very much appreciated. And thank you, as always, for reading and listening.

Many people believe that free speech is dead (or on life support) in higher education. My guest for this episode—Assistant Professor of Business, Matt Burgess—disagrees, arguing instead that not only is one’s speech freer in higher education than many other places, but that freedom may strengthen as political polarization burns itself out. Matt and I also discuss why higher education would be advised to reform itself and how integrity and principled stances remain good signals of integrity and sincere engagement. Our conversation in this episode is based on Matt’s wonderful article of the same title.

Matthew Burgess is Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Wyoming. He works on issues related to economic growth futures and their implications for the environment and society, political polarization of environmental issues, and mathematical modeling of human-environment systems, especially as it relates to natural resource management and conservation. He runs the Substack newsletter Guided Civic Revival and podcast Grounded, Not Divided.

Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, Peter and I discuss the value and benefits of voting at the margins, the ethics and efficacy of censorship, and why having children is better and more nuanced than the debate over natalism would have one believe.

Peter Ryan Brookes (Oxford) is a PPE (philosophy, politics, economics) tutor in the UK. He writes the persistent ruminator on Substack.

Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, Prof. Morris and I discuss the problem of evil, skeptical theism (God’s reasons are beyond our ability to understand), and how to think about suffering in a Christian context. We also discuss her recent paper on the topic, and her book on the basics of Christian philosophy.

Prof. Morris is an associate professor of instruction in the philosophy department at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She received her PhD in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in 2010. Her current research interests are philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, and the intersection thereof.

Uncommon Wisdom is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The infamous economist, Bryan Caplan, and I discuss the potential impact of AI across domains like immigration, national security, employment, and much much more! He’s much more sanguine about AI than I am, but he makes good points, as per usual. Enjoy the show!

Bryan Caplan is a professor of economics at George Mason University, research fellow at the Mercatus Center, and adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute. His Substack is Bet On It.

In this episode, Eric and I discuss his theory of jerks, moral mediocrity, death bed regrets, the extent of our conscious experience, and much more!

Eric Schwitzgebel is Professor of Philosophy at University of California, Riverside. He works on topics in the philosophy of psychology, philosophy of mind, and moral psychology. He has many publications to his credit.

In this episode, Prof. Morris Kleiner and I discuss the nature of occupational licensing, why occupational licensing is more about excluding competition than quality or competence, why licensing requirements need to be reformed, and much more besides. Everything you wanted to know about occupational licensing!

Morris M. Kleiner is professor and AFL-CIO Chair in Labor Policy at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He also teaches at the University's Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies. He has received many teaching awards including University and school-wide ones for classes in public affairs, business, and economics. He is an expert on labor issues for the government, labor, nonprofits, and business.

In this episode, Robin and I discuss the nature of prediction (read: betting) markets, how they originated, how they work, and how such markets could be used to solve any number of social and policy problems we face.

Robin Hanson is associate professor of economics at George Mason University, and research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University.

In this episode, Robin and I discuss the fact that we don’t know our own minds nearly as well as we think, how practices like laughter and charity are often more about impressing others, the inefficacy of healthcare spending on outcomes, and much more besides.Robin Hanson is associate professor of economics at George Mason University, and research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University.

In this episode, Antony and I discuss inflation and shortages, monetary and fiscal policy, and whether, in the long term, the bankruptcy of the Federal government would be something positive.

Antony Davies is Associate Professor of Economics at the Palumbo Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University. His research interests include econometrics, public policy, and consumer behavior. Davies has authored over 150 op-eds for, among others, the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Investors Business Daily, and New York Daily News.