The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 116, 'Why Honour Matters' (Part II – Further Analysis and Discussion) Mar 12, 2023

Show notes

Honour calls a person to defend their teammates, support their family, and have self-respect. To heed the call of honour, say those who listen, leads us towards a good life. Yet, honour does not bear the marks of modern liberal morality. Honour does not focus on the universal but the particular, nor does it claim impartiality. Rather, honour is deeply personal and emotional.

For some, the call of honour is like that of the sirens of Greek mythology: causing the illusion of what is good. In reality, pursuing that good causes us to crash on the rocks of family feuds, cycles of violence, and the subjection of women. But is this really the full story? Must a culture of honour result in revenge and injustice? And is modern liberal morality fit to play the role many thinkers wish it to?

In this interview, we'll be speaking to Tamler Sommers, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Houston and host of the Very Bad Wizards podcast. Tamler is the author of several books, including, Relative Justice, A Very Bad Wizard: Morality Behind the Curtain, and – the focus of our interview – Why Honor Matters.

It is time, according to Sommers, for those who are sceptical or separated from the importance of honour to reassess their relationship with it. To do so raises questions of criminal justice, morality, love, friendship, and personal integrity. In short, honour can be a great motivator across almost all areas of human life, says Sommers, and it is time we give it the respect it deserves.

Contents

Part I. Everything is Clear

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Tamler's website

Tamler Sommers, Why Honour Matters

Tamler Sommers, Relative Justice: Cultural Diversity, Free Will, and Moral Responsibility

Tamler Sommers, A Very Bad Wizard: Morality Behind the Curtain

Tamler Sommers, publications

Very bad wizard, podcast

Tamler Sommers, twitter

Episode 116, 'Why Honour Matters' (Part I - The Centre of Morality) Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

Contents

Part I. Everything is Clear

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Tamler's website

Tamler Sommers, Why Honour Matters

Tamler Sommers, Relative Justice: Cultural Diversity, Free Will, and Moral Responsibility

Tamler Sommers, A Very Bad Wizard: Morality Behind the Curtain

Tamler Sommers, publications

Very bad wizard, podcast

Tamler Sommers, twitter

Episode 115, 'Intellectual Seemings' with Laura Gow (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion) Feb 12, 2023

Show notes

Our sensory experiences make up the fabric of our worlds. It's a fabric that keeps us warm; a fabric that makes the world worth living in. If you couldn't hear the cry of your new-born child, if you couldn't taste your grandfather's famous brussels sprouts at Christmas, or feel the embrace of your lifelong partner, then your life wouldn't just include less experiences, but less meaning. Given the value we place on our sensory experiences, it seems important that we understand the nature of them. What is happening, exactly, when we hear, taste, and feel? What are sensory experiences made of?

In this episode, we'll be exploring the nature of sensory phenomenology with Dr Laura Gow, Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Liverpool. Formerly of Warwick University, Cambridge University, and the University of Antwerp, Dr Gow – whose work focuses on the philosophy of perception and the metaphysics of consciousness – is one of the UK's leading phenomenologists. From hallucinations and colour to empty space and silence, Laura's research covers a broad range of topics, but in this episode we'll be focusing on transparency.

According to the transparency view, when we undergo a perceptual experience, the only properties we're aware of are located externally. There are no perceptual properties, says Gow, inside of us – despite what it may seem.

This episode is produced in partnership with the Philosophy and the Future project at the University of Liverpool. For more information about philosophy at Liverpool, head over to www.liverpool.ac.uk/philosophy.

Contents

Part I. Everything is Clear

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Laura Gow (website)

Laura Gow, Colour (paper)

Laura Gow, Everything is Clear (paper)

Laura Gow, Empty Space, Silence, and Absence (paper)

Laura Gow, A New Theory of Absence Experience (paper)

Laura Gow, Perceptual Experience and Physicalism (paper)

Laura Gow, The Limitations of Perceptual Transparency (paper)

Episode 115, 'Intellectual Seemings' with Laura Gow (Part I - Everything is Clear) Jan 29, 2023

Show notes

Contents

Part I. Everything is Clear

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Laura Gow (website)

Laura Gow, Colour (paper)

Laura Gow, Everything is Clear (paper)

Laura Gow, Empty Space, Silence, and Absence (paper)

Laura Gow, A New Theory of Absence Experience (paper)

Laura Gow, Perceptual Experience and Physicalism (paper)

Laura Gow, The Limitations of Perceptual Transparency (paper)

Episode 114, 'Changing Minds' with Robin McKenna (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion) Jan 15, 2023

Show notes

'630 million threatened by rising seas!'; 'Study blames climate change for 37% of worldwide heat deaths!'; 'Fossil fuels must stay underground!'

Despite the headlines and 97% of climate scientists agreeing that human activity is one of the major causes of climate change, just seven in ten Americans believe that climate change is real and only six in ten consider human activity to be a leading cause. As a survey of beliefs, these statistics are concerning. The bigger problem, however, is that they aren't held in a vacuum, but are formed within and contribute to the functioning of democratic societies.

If we want a genuinely democratic state, how can we establish public policies – informed by our very best science – if a sizable minority of people reject the science? What can be done, descriptively and ethically, to change the minds of those who hold (what experts might consider) unreasonable beliefs?

According to Robin McKenna, Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Liverpool, these questions demonstrate the role and importance of contemporary epistemology. Drawing from the latest empirical research on how we form beliefs and how and why we change our minds, McKenna argues that we can improve our epistemic situations by creating environments in which we are more likely to form beliefs that align with the science.

To bring about a better world, people must recognise that their beliefs aren't formed in an ideal and impartial state. To protect democracy and the natural world, says McKenna, we must combat misinformation and political bias through ethical and effective marketing.

Contents

Part I. Communicating Science

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Robin McKenna (website).

Robin McKenna, Persuasion and Intellectual Autonomy (chapter).

Robin McKenna, Persuasion and Epistemic Paternalism (paper).

Episode 114, 'Changing Minds' with Robin McKenna (Part I - Communicating Science) Jan 01, 2023

Show notes

'630 million threatened by rising seas!'; 'Study blames climate change for 37% of worldwide heat deaths!'; 'Fossil fuels must stay underground!'

Contents

Part I. Communicating Science

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Robin McKenna (website).

Robin McKenna, Persuasion and Intellectual Autonomy (chapter).

Robin McKenna, Persuasion and Epistemic Paternalism (paper).

Episode 113, Epicurus and the Art of Happiness (Part III - Further Analysis and Discussion) Dec 18, 2022

Show notes

You're going to a party, but you don't care if the other guests will like your dress. You pull onto your drive; you don't consider what your neighbours will think of your car. You sell books that you've written, share photographs that you've taken, and post your thoughts on the world to any internet user who will listen – yet, you are unmoved and unmotivated by the popularity of your work.

Imagine if you didn't have to worry about your career, your fame, or wealth. Imagine if you didn't have to fret about falling in love or maintaining that love once you've found it. Imagine never feeling daunted by the fact you're going to die, and that something may or may not be waiting for you beyond the grave. If you could free yourself from these anxieties, do you think you would be happy? Well, isn't happiness the goal of life, after all?

According to the Epicureans, we should answer these questions with a resounding 'yes'. For his followers, Epicurus worked out exactly how we can achieve this state of happiness and tranquillity, and the good news is that it is within reach for all of us. All we need to do is follow one principle: pursue pleasure and avoid pain. It's just that simple.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Gaston Luga backpacks. Head over to www.gastonluga.com and get 15% off any purchase with the discount code PANPSYCAST.

Contents

Part I. The Path to Tranquility

Part II. Metaphysics, God, and Death

Part III. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Haris Dimitriadis, Epicurus And The Pleasant Life: A Philosophy of Nature

Daniel Klein, Travels with Epicurus: Meditations from a Greek Island on the Pleasures of Old Age

Epicurus and John Strodach, The Art of Happiness

John Sellars, The Fourfold Remedy: Epicurus and the Art of Happiness

James Warren, The Cambridge Companion to Epicureanism

Catherine Wilson, Epicureanism: A Very Short Introduction

Catherine Wilson, The Pleasure Principle: Epicureanism: A Philosophy for Modern Living

Episode 113, Epicurus and the Art of Happiness (Part II - Metaphysics, God, and Death) Dec 04, 2022

Show notes

This episode is proudly sponsored by Gaston Luga backpacks. Head over to www.gastonluga.com and get 15% off any purchase with the discount code PANPSYCAST.

Contents

Part I. The Path to Tranquility

Part II. Metaphysics, God, and Death

Part III. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Haris Dimitriadis, Epicurus And The Pleasant Life: A Philosophy of Nature

Daniel Klein, Travels with Epicurus: Meditations from a Greek Island on the Pleasures of Old Age

Epicurus and John Strodach, The Art of Happiness

John Sellars, The Fourfold Remedy: Epicurus and the Art of Happiness

James Warren, The Cambridge Companion to Epicureanism

Catherine Wilson, Epicureanism: A Very Short Introduction

Catherine Wilson, The Pleasure Principle: Epicureanism: A Philosophy for Modern Living

Episode 113, Epicurus and the Art of Happiness (Part I - The Path to Tranquility) Nov 20, 2022

Show notes

This episode is proudly sponsored by Gaston Luga backpacks. Head over to www.gastonluga.com and get 15% off any purchase with the discount code PANPSYCAST.

Contents

Part I. The Path to Tranquility

Part II. Metaphysics, God, and Death

Part III. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Haris Dimitriadis, Epicurus And The Pleasant Life: A Philosophy of Nature

Daniel Klein, Travels with Epicurus: Meditations from a Greek Island on the Pleasures of Old Age

Epicurus and John Strodach, The Art of Happiness

John Sellars, The Fourfold Remedy: Epicurus and the Art of Happiness

James Warren, The Cambridge Companion to Epicureanism

Catherine Wilson, Epicureanism: A Very Short Introduction

Catherine Wilson, The Pleasure Principle: Epicureanism: A Philosophy for Modern Living

Episode 112, 'The Philosophy of Buddhism' with Jay Garfield (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion) Nov 06, 2022

Show notes

A prick of the skin; the sorrow of grief; the inevitability of change; our dependence on the whim of the cosmos. Suffering bleeds into every aspect of our existence and, according to Siddhārtha Gautama (the Buddha), the anguish of our misfortune stems from our ignorance and confusion. If we were to see the world for how it really is – a place of impermanence, interdependence, and emptiness – then, according to Buddhism, we might free ourselves from illusion and discover the path to liberation and enlightenment. Today, this insight is shared by over half a billion people. Yet, most philosophy departments in Europe and America offer no courses in Buddhist philosophy and (within the leading journals) academic papers focusing on the central tenets of Buddhist philosophy of religion are vastly outweighed by their Abrahamic (and predominantly Christian) counterparts.

Professor Jay Garfield, our guest for this episode, is the exception to this rule. Championing the globalisation of philosophy and reshaping perceptions of Buddhist scholarship, Professor Garfield is Chair of Philosophy at Smith College in Massachusetts, Visiting Professor at Harvard Divinity School, Professor at Melbourne University, and adjunct Professor at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies. Named amongst the 50 most influential philosophers of the past decade – with over 30 books and over 200 publications – it is safe to say that Professor Garfield is one of the leading exponents of Buddhist philosophy in contemporary academia.

For Garfield, if philosophy won't diversify, then let's call it out for what it is: a colonial discipline that ignores the rich and relevant insights of non-Western thought. As philosophers, we cannot afford to ignore the metaphysical, ethical, epistemological, and existential insights of Buddhist scholarship. It's time to engage with Buddhism, and rid ourselves of our prejudices, ignorance, and confusion. Buddhism is a philosophy of the present, not a philosophy of the past, and it's time we treated it that way.

This episode is produced in partnership with The Global Philosophy of Religion Project at University of Birmingham, led by Yujin Nagasawa and funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

Contents

Part I. The Nature of Reality

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Jay Garfield, Personal Website. (Website)

Jay Garfield, Engaging Buddhism. (Book)

Jay Garfield, Practicing without a License. (Essay)

Books by Jay Garfield. (Website)