Brain in a Vat Brain in a Vat
-
- Society & Culture
-
Thought experiments and conversations with philosophers. Hosted by Dr Jason Werbeloff and Mark Oppenheimer.
-
Paediatric Gender Medicine | Moti Gorin and Holly Lawford-Smith
We begin by imagining a world where children are separated by sex at birth and raised without exposure to traditional gender norms. We debate whether gender incongruence is a result of nature or social conditioning. We discuss gender affirming care for children, highlighting the complexity of diagnosing gender dysphoria amidst co-occurring psychiatric conditions and the potential influence of social contagion. Key insights include questioning the lack of robust evidence for the efficacy of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, and the need for comprehensive psychosocial care before considering medical transition. The Cass Review was released after we recorded our conversation, but we address similar concerns.
00:00 Introduction to the Thought Experiment
00:10 Exploring Gender Segregation and Its Impacts
02:22 Debating the Existence of Gender Incongruence
03:28 The Social Construction of Gender and Its Medical Implications
04:48 Sexual Orientation in a Segregated Society
13:37 Challenging the Medicalization of Gender Diversity
25:26 Transracialism and Personal Identity Choices
31:41 Medical Risks and Ethical Dilemmas in Gender Transition
41:38 Exploring the Regulation of Cross-Sex Hormones
42:11 The Uncertainty of Medical Interventions and Autonomy
44:49 The Complexities of Gender Dysphoria Treatment
45:43 Evaluating the Risks and Benefits of Paediatric Transition
48:39 The Debate on Consent and Medical Ethics
51:38 Addressing Comorbidities in Gender Dysphoria Treatment
58:45 The Role of Social Phenomena in Gender Dysphoria
01:11:17 Examining the Evidence and Ethics of Puberty Blockers
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/braininavat/message -
Peter Singer on Animal Liberation Now
Peter Singer delves into difficult ethical
questions regarding animal rights, the morality of factory farming, and
difficult human-related ethical dilemmas.
Singer discusses his views as a
consequentialist, examining the impact of our choices on animal suffering, the
ethical considerations around organ donation from anencephalic children, and
the broader implications of such decisions.
What are the moral implications of eating
meat from factory farms versus ethically raised animals, and cannibalism under
hypothetical scenarios with no harm to others?
Singer emphasizes the need for considering
the consequences of our actions, shedding light on the pressing need to reform
our food production systems and make more ethical choices in our daily lives.
Peter Singer’s Substack: https://substack.com/profile/4270932-peter-singer
Peter Singer’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@peter_singer
Peter Singer’s book, ‘Animal Liberation
Now’: https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Liberation-Now-Definitive-Classic/dp/0063226707
00:00 A Philosophical Dive into Animal
Rights with Peter Singer
00:12 Exploring the Ethical Dilemmas of
Human and Animal Lives
01:59 The Complexities of Organ Donation
from Anencephalic Children
03:57 Comparing Human and Animal Rights in
Medical Contexts
06:08 Consequentialism and Individual Case
Analysis in Ethics
07:42 The Ethical Quandaries of Parental
Consent and Medical Decisions
15:54 Navigating the Slippery Slope of
Euthanasia and Assisted Dying
25:41 The Ethical Considerations of Eating
Meat and Factory Farming
33:29 The Harsh Realities of Factory
Farming
34:45 Ethical Considerations and the Nature
of Animal Suffering
36:50 Addressing Common Objections to
Animal Rights
41:12 The Impact of Individual Choices on
Animal Suffering
43:43 The Role of Vegetarianism and
Veganism in Reducing Demand for Meat
01:00:46 Exploring the Ethical Implications
of Consuming Expired or Discarded Meat
01:04:50 Concluding Thoughts and
Reflections
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/braininavat/message -
We Should Want Immortality | John Martin Fischer
John Martin Fischer argues that life
constantly offers new experiences and perspectives that prevent it from
becoming monotonous.
He delves into the idea of living a
significantly extended life without aging and the implications it has on
personal identity and society at large. Fischer distinguishes between true
immortality and radical life extension, favoring the latter for its exit
strategy options.
The conversation covers the value of life
experiences, the philosophical questions around personal identity over time,
and the ethical considerations of immortal life.
00:00 Introduction to Immortality with John
Martin Fischer
00:16 The Library Analogy: Exploring the
Concept of Living Forever
01:26 Challenging the Library Analogy: A
New Perspective on Immortality
03:49 Addressing the Potential Fatigue of
Immortality
06:52 The Elixir of Eternal Life: A Thought
Experiment
09:03 The Philosophical Debate on the Ideal
Age for Immortality
38:42 The Social and Ethical Implications
of Immortality
48:34 Personal Choice vs. Societal Impact:
The Immortality Dilemma
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/braininavat/message -
Against Immortality | Stephen Cave
Stephen Cave unpacks the ethical and practical problems of living forever. He highlights ongoing research in anti-aging and the potential societal and ecological catastrophes that could follow if humans were to achieve immortality.
Stephen weighs the individual’s desire for immortality against social implications, and the potential exacerbation of social injustices. The discussion also addresses technological possibilities like consciousness uploading and the philosophical implications of personal identity, memory, and morality.
The conversation navigates the complexities of life extension technologies, questioning the nature of what it means to live a meaningful life.
00:00 Welcome to the Immortality Debate
00:27 Exploring the Possibility of Living Forever
01:57 The Ethical Dilemmas of Immortality
05:03 Addressing Overpopulation and Societal Collapse
07:26 The Underpopulation Counterargument
09:09 The Philosophical and Practical Aspects of Life Extension
11:23 Space Colonization: A Feasible Solution?
13:01 The Ethical Quandary of Life Extension Pills
19:04 Addressing Social Justice in the Context of Immortality
24:30 The Boredom Argument Against Immortality
28:08 Exploring the Infinite Possibilities of AI and Immortality
28:26 The Philosophical Dilemma of Immortality and Ennui
30:26 Considering the Ethics and Legality of Suicide
31:12 The Rationality of Suicide in an Immortal Life
32:44 The Sorites Paradox and Life Extension
34:02 The Practical Challenges of Life Extension Policies
34:58 Dystopian Scenarios in Immortality and Central Planning
37:27 The Concept of Personal Identity and Immortality
40:38 Consciousness Uploading: A Dystopian Idea?
45:23 Personal Identity, Memory, and Augmentation
49:01 The Philosophical Exploration of Ennui and Meaninglessness
53:00 Immortality in Mythology and the Quest for Novel Experiences
54:58 Reimagining Immortality and Embracing Finitude
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/braininavat/message -
Immigration and Borders | Stephen Kershnar
Featuring Stephen Kershnar, we discuss the complexities of immigration ethics, the rights to immigrate, and the morality of borders, keeping in mind debates around wealth, exclusion, and property rights.
Stephen considers consequentialist and deontological perspectives in immigration policies, the notion of collective versus individual rights, and the philosophical implications on national identity and personal liberty.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:16 Discussion on Immigration
01:05 Thought Experiment on Immigration
02:57 Debate on Collective Ownership and Immigration
04:23 Exploring the Rights of Immigrants
04:34 Dilemma of Immigration in a Private Island Scenario
05:03 Debate on the Right to Life and Immigration
08:28 Discussion on Collective Decision Making
10:22 Exploring the Concept of Citizenship
11:18 Debate on Collective Ownership of a Country
20:09 Discussion on the Consequences of Immigration
27:46 Debate on National Self Interest and Immigration
34:39 Exploring the Concept of Citizenship
35:48 Analogies and Disanalogies in Citizenship
36:38 Consequences of Citizenship Revocation
37:34 Consequentialist Discussion on Immigration
39:15 The Utility of Immigration
41:46 The Right to Evict: A Discussion
42:01 The Case of Refugees and Birthright Citizenship
46:16 The Consequences of Open Borders
48:32 The Impact of Immigration on Population Growth
01:00:08 The Dilemma of Local Control and Freedom of Movement
01:06:42 The Value of Collective Property in Immigration
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/braininavat/message -
Cascading Catastrophic Risks | Trond Undheim
Trond Undheim delves into catastrophic risks facing humanity, including climate change, governance breakdown, and technological threats.
Through discussions of risk perception, effective planning versus worry, and the complexities of managing existential threats, Trond emphasizes the importance of preparing and adapting for uncertain futures.
How should we think about potential future crises, the role of technology in exacerbating or mitigating risks, and the moral obligations of contemporary society to future generations?
00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
00:08 Imagining the World in 2075
00:26 The Impact of World Conflicts and Climate Change
01:03 The Rise of Organized Crime and Economic Divide
02:08 The Future of Medical Technologies and Lifespan
02:54 Reflections on the Turning Point of the Century
04:14 Understanding Risk and Worry
04:53 The Role of Planning and Thriving in Risk Management
06:35 The Potential of Giga Projects and Modular Solutions
07:40 The Dilemma of Investing in Uncertain Events
08:41 The Existential Risk of Asteroid Collision
11:27 The Responsibility of Future Generations
13:49 The Complexity of Catastrophic Risk
22:13 The Potential Risks by 2075
46:01 The Role of Community in Risk Mitigation
47:41 The Challenge of Collective Action in Preventing Catastrophe
53:25 Conclusion: The Importance of Good Intent in Systemic Understanding
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/braininavat/message