Brain in a Vat

Feb 02 2025 239 ep. 58 mins 412

Brain in a Vat Podcast artwork

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

Society & Culture

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Why It's Okay to Eat Meat - Or Is It? | Dan Shahar

Feb 02 2025 53 mins

Dan Shahar defends the view that eating meat is permissible, even though meat farming is not. Is this a coherent position? [00:00] Introduction and Thought Experiment [00:48] The Alien Analogy [02:20] Moral Implications and Human Relationships [03:33] Vegetarian Perspective and Ethical Dilemmas [08:01] Super Cow Hypothetical [12:11] Real-World Ethical Challenges [21:59] Vo

Who was Derek Parfit? | David Edmonds (Rebroadcast)

Jan 26 2025 54 mins

Parfit altered the landscape of the philosophy of identity. We speak to David Edmonds about his recently released biography on this influential philosopher, and ask: what made Parfit the man he was? [00:00] Introduction to David Edmunds [00:25] David's Personal Connection to Derek Parfit [01:42] Derek Parfit's Early Life and Education [04:17] Derek Parfit's Philosophical Contribut

The Philosophy of Severance | Travis Timmerman (Rebroadcast)

Jan 19 2025 60 mins

Ben Stiller's superb series, Severance, raises fascinating questions about the nature of personal identity. Are we minds or brains? Is it possible for two persons to inhabit the same body? And can a person survive gaps in their existence? [00:00] Introduction to Severance [01:24] Philosophical Questions on Personal Identity [05:59] Real-Life Analogies and Thought Experiments

Anti-Semitism | Mark Oppenheimer (Rebroadcast)

Jan 12 2025 64 mins

What do anti-semites and ultra-orthodox Jews have in common? How did the ivy league discriminate against Jews? Is America still a safe haven for Jews? Follow Mark's work on https://markoppenheimer.substack.com/ [00:00] Introduction and Confession [00:17] The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting [03:59] Historical Context of Jewish Persecution [07:15] Understanding Antisemitism [13:38]

What Is a Woman? | Alex Byrne (Rebroadcast)

Jan 05 2025 61 mins

Oxford University Press refused to publish Alex Byrne's book on gender. We discuss whether women are adult human females and whether sex is the same as gender. [00:00] Introduction and Thought Experiment [02:38] Exploring Gender Identity [11:22] Historical Context and Gender Roles [19:00] Biological and Social Perspectives [27:51] Understanding Social Identity: 'One of the

Sex Work or Prostitution? | Lori Watson (Rebroadcast)

Dec 30 2024 58 mins

Is sex work actually work? Is prostitution always a form of exploitation? And show we legalize or decriminalize prostitution? [00:00] Introduction and Opening Remarks [00:14] The Moral and Legal Concerns of Prostitution [04:11] Debating Terminology: Prostitution vs. Sex Work [06:37] Legal Frameworks and Models of Prostitution [11:24] The Unique Harms of Prostitution [24:41]

Is Monogamy Wrong? | Harry Chalmers (Rebroadcast)

Dec 21 2024 57 mins

Is the restriction on having additional sexual or romantic partners similar to the restriction on having additional friends? Should you allow your partner to be free to pursue other partners? And are we able to overcome the jealousy associated with non-monogamy? [00:00] Introduction to the Debate on Monogamy [00:11] Thought Experiment: Friendship Restrictions [03:17] Defending Mon

The Privacy Paradox | David Boonin (Rebroadcast)

Dec 15 2024 60 mins

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? [00:00] Introduction [00:18] The Case of Mrs. A [02:06] Privacy and Public Surveillance [08:28]

Benatar on Bullshit | With Rebecca Tuvel

Dec 08 2024 55 mins

Are there different kinds of bullshit? Do bullshitters know they are full of it? What should we do to stem the tide? [00:00] Introduction [00:19] David Benatar's Joke [02:25] Defining Bullshit: Philosophical Perspectives [04:21] Academic Bullshit and Real-World Examples [09:34] The Ethics of Calling Out Bullshit [23:14] The Tragedy of the Bullshit Commons [36:06] La

Unravelling “White Privilege” | Spencer Case

Dec 01 2024 60 mins

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? [00:00] Introduction and Welcome [00:14] Exploring the Privilege Walk [04:57] Discussion on Privilege and Comparative Ad