Brain in a Vat

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Rating
4.2
from
38 reviews
This podcast has
191 episodes
Language
Publisher
Explicit
No
Date created
2020/04/24
Average duration
61 min.
Release period
7 days

Description

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

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Brain in a Vat podcast


Pornography and Free Speech | Nadine Strossen and Holly Lawford-Smith
2024/02/25
We welcome back Nadine Strossen for a comprehensive discussion about pornography and free speech. She highlights points from her re-released book 'Defending Pornography', explaining why she supports the freedom of sexual expression. Her thought experiment is about a respected academic who makes adult videos, raising questions about personal freedom, professional reputability, and potential harm to his university. She also explores the complex relationship between pornography, liberty, and equality, emphasizing that context matters when considering whether freedom of speech overrides other concerns. The conversation also touches on whether pornography subordinates women, Nadine underlines that she defends the right to pornography not because she is an aficionado, but because she believes in individual choices. (00:00) Introduction and Guest Presentation(00:37) Understanding Pornography and Free Speech(02:00) Controversies Surrounding Pornography(02:12) Case Study: Provost's Scandal(03:22) Debate on the Provost's Case(03:54) Exploring the Concept of Academic Freedom(05:10) Counter Argument: The Question of Judgment(06:43) The Impact of Sexual Taboos(07:30) The Role of the American Association of University Professors(08:16) Discussion on the Provost's First Amendment Claim(12:12) The Shift in Pornography Production(17:58) The Debate on Virtual Child Pornography(27:14) The Feminist Perspective on Pornography(40:13) Understanding the Real Case of Subordination(40:29) The Role of Subordination in Fantasy and Pornography(41:05) The Radical Feminist Anti-Pornography Movement(41:56) Analyzing Media and Subordinating Imagery(42:45) The Impact of Subordinating Imagery(42:59) The Irony of Anti-Pornography Activism(43:58) The Controversy of Subordinating Images in Public Spaces(45:05) The Role of Pornography in Society(46:15) The Popularity and Impact of Pornography(47:31) The Positive Benefits of Pornography(48:30) Balancing Liberty and Equality in Free Speech(55:02) The Intersection of Hate Speech and Pornography(01:00:02) The Egalitarian Nature of Pornography(01:05:48) The Controversy of Being a 'Minority Intellectual Dissident'
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Unravelling “White Privilege” | Spencer Case
2024/02/18
Can the definition of privilege be nuanced enough to address the broad range of individual experiences and historical contexts? Does recognizing and discussing privilege lead to meaningful social change? Or does talk of privilege oversimplify complex issues?
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The Privacy Paradox | David Boonin
2024/02/11
Is observing people in a public space from the privacy of your home an infringement of their rights? Can the widespread use of CCTV cameras be justified, or does it violate their privacy? And how do technological developments affect the delicate balance between safety and privacy?
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Dissecting Morality: Error Theory | Matt Lutz
2024/02/04
What if our understanding of morality is fundamentally flawed? Should the absence of objective moral facts alter the way we live and interact? Is the structure of our society dependent on moral beliefs, or are these just a result of individual desires and social evolution?
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The Morality Maze | Spencer Case
2024/01/28
Is morality real, a social construct, or non-existent? Can we rely on our moral intuitions? And are moral truths inaccessible to us?
Why Israel's Response to Hamas Was Justified | Natasha Hausdorff
2024/01/21
What is a proportional response to a terrorist attack? What does genocide involve? And is South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice justified? Presenters: Mark Oppenheimer and Jason Werbeloff Editor and Producer: Jimmy Mullen and Porter Kaufman Brain in a Vat bookshop (Shopify): https://smarturl.it/BrainShop Brain in a Vat bookshop (Amazon): https://smarturl.it/BrainAmazonShop
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The Trouble with Gender | Alex Byrne
2024/01/14
Does the biology you were born with trump self-identity when determining your sex or gender? Is gender innate, or can it change? And what can real-life cases of children being reassigned their sex at birth teach us? Alex's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Gender-Sex-Facts-Fictions/dp/1509560017/
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John Rawls: Justice as Fairness | Paul Weithman (Rebroadcast)
2024/01/07
John Rawls is widely regarded as the greatest modern liberal philosopher. Does his theory of justice lead to a fair society?
Near-Death Experiences | John Martin Fischer (Rebroadcast)
2023/12/31
Is there life after death? Are near-death experiences meaningful? Are they similar to other altered states like meditation and drug-induced hallucinations?
How To End Global Poverty | Andy Kuper (Rebroadcast)
2023/12/24
Andy Kuper, the founder and CEO of LeapFrog Investments, tells us how his PHD in philosophy led him to marry profit with purpose, by creating investment funds with deep impact on the lives of 200 million low-income people worldwide, while generating strong returns for its investors and the companies in which it invests. https://leapfroginvest.com Andy's Book Democracy Beyond Borders: https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Beyond-Borders-Representation-Institutions-ebook-dp-B000WNHG48/dp/B000WNHG48/
more
Evolutionary Psychology | Justin Garson (Rebroadcast)
2023/12/17
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
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Trans women in sport: Is it fair? | Stephen Kershnar (Rebroadcast)
2023/12/10
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?
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Podcast reviews

Read Brain in a Vat podcast reviews


4.2 out of 5
38 reviews
SimonMarcus 2023/08/09
Fun, thoughtful and philosophically rigorous
Jason and Mark do an outstanding job interviewing some of the brightest minds on contemporary philosophical issues. Once you’ve listened to one, you’l...
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AnonymousMilk 2022/10/26
Binge-Worthy Philosophy
A wide range of guests and topics has me returning to this podcast over and over again. Hearing what contemporary philosophers are thinking and talkin...
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bjohns383 2022/02/09
Stephen Kershnar
did nothing wrong.
angrylf 2021/08/03
Really interesting stuff
Interesting topics and good discussion
JordanEzra32 2021/03/05
Good so far
Good podcast so far! (Especially if you’ve got a bit of prior exposure to philosophy)
check all reviews on aple podcasts

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