Patterson in Pursuit

Latest Episodes:

The Bittersweet Paradox Dec 29, 2016

Show notes

The bittersweet paradox is another popular irrationalist argument, which claims that two mutually exclusive things can be experienced together - happy and sad, black and white, bitter and sweet.

Once again, this type of argument falls short, and precise language clears up any confusion. It conflates the appearance of mutual exclusivity with actual mutual exclusivity.

If two things are mutually exclusive, then they cannot be experienced together. If they are experienced together, it's a demonstration that they aren't mutually exclusive.

Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 36 - Christmas Breakdown | Scrooge Edition Dec 26, 2016

Show notes

Merry Christmas and Bah Humbug! This is an analysis of my interview with a Christian theologian from Cambridge. I wasn't a big fan of his argument, which ultimately rested on a dubious distinction between "who" and "what."

Also in this episode: my attempt at rationally explaining the connection between Jesus and the Christian God.

Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 35 - Legalizing All Drugs | Dr. Jeffrey Miron Dec 18, 2016

Show notes

Drug prohibition causes more harm than good - that's the argument from libertarians like Dr. Jeff Miron of Harvard. He analyzes the topic from an economic and practical standpoint.

In this episode, we also discuss the role of government in providing a social safety net. Can private charity do a better job than public charity? Jeff thinks so, and I agree with him.

Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 34 - The Foundations of Knowledge Dec 11, 2016

Show notes

For the last decade, I've been searching for certain foundations, and finally, I've found them. Logic represents the foundation for all knowledge, and it's the subject of my first book on philosophy: Square One: The Foundations of Knowledge.

If you are interested in objective truth, certain knowledge, and logic, then pick up a copy. Anybody can read it and understand - it's not written for academics, and it doesn't contain useless jargon.

All of my work - present and future - draws from the ideas in Square One. If I've made a mistake here, you can confidently discard the rest of my worldview without hesitation.

Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe

Is It Honorable To Be In The Military? Dec 08, 2016

Show notes

Though it's bound to upset people, I don't think being in the military is honorable. I think it's a sign of weakness, and in most circumstances, it causes more harm than good.

Submitting to orders is not noble. Killing people because you were commanded to isn't courageous. Believing propaganda is not respectable.

Soldiers are how they've been used: as political pawns for ambitious men.

Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 33 - Do Mathematical Objects Exist? | Dr. Jody Azzouni Dec 04, 2016

Show notes

What are numbers? What are concepts? Do they exist, or do we just act like they exist?

I'm joined by Dr. Jody Azzouni of Tufts University. He's a philosopher who has been arguing for nominalism for years - the idea that numbers and abstract objects don't exist at all.

His position is a wonderful contrast to the previous interviews I've done on this topic, where the guests have been Platonists. My own views sit in-between nominalism and Platonism.

I think abstract objects exist, but they do not exist in a Platonic realm. They exist in our minds. When we stop thinking about them, they stop existing.

Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 32 - Minds, Machines, and Souls | Interview Breakdown Nov 28, 2016

Show notes

If consciousness can't be explained within the conceptual toolbox of physicalism, then what's an alternative theory? Are we stuck with dualism?

This is my breakdown of the interview with Professor Bram about consciousness, machine intelligence, and the implications of rejecting reductive physicalism.

Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 31 - Religious Experience | Isaac Morehouse Nov 20, 2016

Show notes

Since recorded history, people have been talking about "religious" or "spiritual" experiences. It's a shame that intellectuals are no longer able to discuss them openly. It's become taboo.

Fortunately, my guest doesn't care about taboos, and he shares some details about his own religious experiences, and I do as well.

We're not the only intellectuals with these experiences, and it's about time we start talking about it. The ideas are too important to leave unexamined.

Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe

The Case for Cultural Appropriation Nov 17, 2016

Show notes

Cultures are not delicate flowers that must be preserved until the end of time. Cultures emerge from different individuals trying to best navigate life. Cultures have positive traits and negative traits. As humans, we should steal the positive and leave the negative behind.

Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe

Thank Goodness for Price Gougers Nov 10, 2016

Show notes

It all started with mashed potatoes...

Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected