Brain in a Vat

Latest Episodes:

What Is Madness? | Justin Garson Jul 18, 2021

Show notes

Is 'mental disorder' purely a dysfunction, or are there important advantages to being psychologically different? Do depression and anxiety serve a vital role in healing and bettering one's life?

Is it okay to be a slacker? | Alison Suen Jul 11, 2021

Show notes

What makes Hollywood slackers like The Dude so enchanting? Are slackers the unsung heroes of the pandemic, or a bunch of useless bums?

Read Alison's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Its-OK-Be-Slacker/dp/0367338181

What Offends You? | Mark Oppenheimer Jul 04, 2021

Show notes

Should we ban offensive speech? Should we tolerate racism and transphobia? Should everything that is immoral also be illegal?

Is evil real? | Spencer Case Jun 27, 2021

Show notes

Is murder wrong? Can evolution fully explain why we think certain actions are immoral? And can we believe moral truths with even greater certainty than truths about the physical world?

Spencer Case offers objections to Shaun Stanley, a moral anti-realist who appeared previously on our show.

What if? | Peg Tittle Jun 20, 2021

Show notes

What if you navigated the world through echo location instead of sight? What if cats could gain all of the traits of humans? What if you were a brain in a vat trying to solve a difficult moral problem.

To learn more about Peg's work check out: https://www.pegtittle.com https://www.jassrichards.com

Special offer to podcast listeners: For any title with an on-site purchase option, Peg is happy to send a complimentary copy (epub or pdf). No strings attached. Please make your requests via the site contact form.

What Is Happiness? | Shane Gronholz Jun 13, 2021

Show notes

What makes your life go well? Can you be wrong about whether you are happy? And can happiness be bad for you?

Trans, Sex, and Gender | Kathleen Stock Jun 06, 2021

Show notes

Is sex only a matter of biology? Are there conflicts between trans rights, women's rights, and gay rights? Is it possible to change genders?

Buy Kathleen's Book: Material Girls https://www.amazon.com/Material-Girls-Reality-Matters-Feminism-ebook/dp/B08LK8TY5S

Do Social Groups Exist? | Jason Werbeloff May 30, 2021

Show notes

What transforms a collection of individuals into a social group? Jason Werbeloff argues the answer is: nothing. There are no social groups. No countries, political parties, marriages, or sports clubs. There are only individuals.

12 Mind Blowing Thought Experiments May 23, 2021

Show notes

What can a runaway train, a patient wrapped head to toe in bandages, and man condemned by the gods to roll a rock for eternity teach us about leading a good life? If you enjoy stories that tickle your brain, this episode is for you.

The Dangers of Thought Experiments | Roy Sorensen May 16, 2021

Show notes

Are thought experiments useful for telling us about the nature of reality? What are the limitations of thought experiments, and should we trust them in discussions of morality and science?

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