Brain in a Vat

By: Brain in a Vat
  • Summary

  • Thought experiments and conversations with philosophers. Hosted by Dr Jason Werbeloff and Mark Oppenheimer.
    Brain in a Vat
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Episodes
  • The Problems with Virtue Ethics | Travis Timmerman
    Apr 6 2025

    Through comparisons to consequentialism and deontological ethics, Travis dissects the core principles and critiques of virtue ethics. Along the way, we discuss moral dilemmas, the application of virtues, and the real-world implications of ethical theories. Whether you're a student of philosophy or just curious about moral reasoning, this discussion provides deep insights into the essence of virtuous behavior and its place in ethical discourse.


    [00:00] Introduction and Welcome

    [00:14] The Drowning Child Thought Experiment

    [03:53] The Virtuous Agent Problem

    [04:45] Virtue Ethics vs. Other Ethical Theories

    [13:48] Virtue Ethics and Practical Advice

    [21:52] Challenges in Virtue Ethics

    [29:42] The Moral Theory Bug

    [33:26] Moral Rationalism and Obligations

    [44:54] Virtue Ethics as a Theory of Good Character

    [52:19] Eating Meat: Ethical Dilemmas

    [57:39] Concluding Thoughts


    You can also check out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/[00:00] Introduction and Welcome

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    58 mins
  • The End Goal of Wokeness | Nathan Cofnas
    Mar 30 2025

    What is the underlying logic of woke ideology? Is it consistent, and can it justify the pursuit of equality of outcome, such as redistributing wealth and land?


    Cofnas discusses the origins and evolution of wokeism, the moral and empirical premises underlying it, and the political dynamics between conservatives and liberals.


    Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing debates around equity, discrimination, and social justice.


    You can also check out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/[00:00] Introduction and Welcome


    [00:16] Thought Experiment: Redheads and Slavery

    [08:16] Applying the Analogy to Race

    [17:00] Moral Responsibility and Social Justice

    [32:20] Reparations and Environmental Factors

    [37:17] Statistical Chance and Job Market Inequality

    [48:43] Conservative Resistance to Wokeism

    [54:59] The Long March Through Institutions

    [58:02] Trump's Impact on Wokeism

    [01:01:45] The Future of Wokeism and Conservative Strategy

    [01:05:21] Philosophical Foundations of Equality

    [01:10:47] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Effective Altruism and Making a Difference | Jacob Bauer
    Mar 23 2025

    How should we allocate our donations to address global issues effectively? Jacob discusses the principles guiding Effective Altruism, the importance of evidence-based charitable giving, the ethical implications of supporting local versus global causes, and the challenges of predicting long-term impacts.


    The episode also delves into the significant debate within the effective altruism community about how to prioritize immediate needs versus future generations, and the potential benefits and risks associated with artificial intelligence.


    Join us for a compelling conversation about making the most impact with your altruistic efforts.


    [00:00] Introduction to Effective Altruism

    [00:07] Thought Experiment: Allocating a Billion Dollars

    [01:18] Effective Altruism: Head and Heart Approach

    [05:12] Frameworks for Effective Altruism

    [06:27] Measuring Impact and Effectiveness

    [13:30] Obligations and Moral Considerations

    [16:28] Global Development and Animal Welfare

    [31:05] Long-Termism and Future Generations

    [52:23] AI: Potential and Risks

    [57:26] Conclusion


    Check out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/

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    58 mins

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