In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, Mark and Jasondiscuss the tragic assassination of political commentator, Charlie Kirk. The episode discusses Kirk's commitment to open dialogue and civil discourse, particularly on college campuses, and critique the societal implications of hisdeath.The episode delves into themes of free speech, academicfreedom, and the dangerous conflation of words and violence. Jason and Mark also address arguments attempting to justify or minimize Kirk's assassination,advocating instead for a return to civility and the importance of open, reasoned debate.00:00 Introduction and Tribute to Charlie Kirk01:22 The Importance of Civil Discourse03:47 The Dangers of Conflating Words and Violence05:00 Free Speech and Academic Freedom10:04 Philosophical Perspectives on Assassination15:01 The Impact on Society and Free Speech16:14 Addressing Arguments Justifying the Assassination27:04 Reflecting on Empathy and Society's Response29:18 Conclusion: A Call for Civility
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Using AI to Fight Crime | David Boonin (Rebroadcast)
Is racial profiling always wrong, even if used by an AI to decrease crime? Should we use AI to judge criminal cases, recommend sentences for the guilty, or decide parole for prisoners?Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to AI in Crime Fighting[00:12] Thought Experiment: The Looting Scenario[06:32] Predictive Policing and AI[10:13] Debating the Ethics of AI in Law Enforcement[23:26] Affirmative Action and Racial Profiling[37:51] Balancing Crime Reduction and Social Engineering[39:00] AI in Sentencing: Benefits and Challenges[40:08] Algorithmic Transparency and Legal Implications[43:15] The Opaque Jury Argument[47:44] Fairness vs. Accuracy in Legal Decisions[57:25] Philosophical Implications of Opaque Decision-Making
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1:14:07
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1:14:07
Are We Free at Work? Marx on Capitalism Today | Brian Leiter
In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we’re joined by Brian Leiter, co-author (with Jamie Edwards) of a new book on Marx. We explore whether workers in contemporary capitalism are truly free—or trapped in a form of “wage slavery.” Leiter uses thought experiments to probe the limits of workplace freedom. He also examines Marx’s labor theory of value—its strengths and flaws—and shows how modern capitalism both confirms and diverges from Marx’s predictions.The conversation then turns to labor, technological change, human nature, and artificial intelligence—culminating in a pressing question: what futures of work await us under capitalism?Read "Marx (The Routledge Philosophers)" by Brian Leiter and Jaime Edwards here: https://www.amazon.com/Marx-Routledge-Philosophers-Brian-Leiter/dp/1138938505Chapters:[00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome[00:18] Thought Experiment: Are You a Wage Slave?[02:10] Free Labor vs. Unfree Labor[05:11] Historical Context and Modern Implications[16:07] Capitalism's Role in Technological Progress[20:22] Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work[32:05] The Essential Nature of Human Beings[38:59] Critiques of Marx's Naivety[46:25] Technological Innovation and Labor[51:33] Marx's Labor Theory of Value[58:18] Fetishism of Commodities[01:00:59] Future of Capitalism and Human Nature[01:10:14] Concluding Thoughts on Marx and Capitalism
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1:10:47
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1:10:47
The Possible Worlds of David Lewis | Barry Lam (Rebroadcast)
What are possible worlds? Could you have been born to different parents, and could an object be both completely green and completely red? Barry Lam explains how David Lewis’s views on possible worlds can help us understand everything from time travel to the nature of who we are.
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Procreative Ethics | Rivka Weinberg (Rebroadcast)
Is it wrong to bring new life into the world? Is adopting a child a moral obligation? Is parenting meaningful?
South Africa