
Thought experiments and conversations with philosophers. Hosted by Dr Jason Werbeloff and Mark Oppenheimer.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 286 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CulturePhilosophy | |||

We welcome back Stephen Kershnar to discuss the ethics of torture. Kershnar argues that some criminals deserve torture because severe wrongdoing can cause a person to forfeit protections against extreme punishment. He critiques the idea that there ar... more
What happens to human beings in a world without scarcity? If all our needs were met, would we actually be better off? Will technological progress lead to utopia or collapse?
Humans are living through massive improvements in material conditions. More... more
What does it mean to live with adversity? How ought we respond to the suffering of others? How can we adapt to hardship?
Adversity is a universal experience. Nearly everyone, at some point, faces physical, psychological, or social challenges, and ye... more
Kevin Allison, creator of the RISK! podcast, recounts a high school prank at an all-boys Jesuit school in 1986. After a crush teased him by repeatedly spitting on him, Kevin later mailed him a sealed container of feces labeled “enjoy the cookies.”
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Really enjoyed the Free Speech episode with Dr. Carmichael!
I agree that civil debate is of critical import. I have seen Kirk debate in ways that viciously undermine and promote the discrimination, discrediting and devaluation of people who are different from him. His performance of moral disgust should not be construed as tolerance. Lament his death as a human, yes, but committed to civil debate he was not.
Great exercise for the brain
Just listened to the ‘white privilege’ episode.. my first in this series… I am guessing it’s 3 white males bantering about how to “nuance” the concept of white male privilege in order to make the concept meaningless. The discussion reminded me of 3 kids coming up with ever more ridiculous “what about-isms” —- what about the colour of bandaids, what about all the animals, what about all the people who ever lived, what about really old people… the end goal is to say there’s nothing meaningful to s... more
Brain In A Vat offers engaging conversations with contemporary philosophers that are both fun and intellectually stimulating. Dr. Jason Werbeloff and Mark Oppenheimer excel at making complex ideas accessible. Once you start, you'll find yourself eagerly exploring their archive for more insightful episodes.
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Thoughtful, rigorously argued discussions centered on philosophy, ethics, and thought experiments. Across episodes, listeners encounter deep dives into topics like torture, free speech, academic freedom, cultural norms, and the nature of mind and society, often featuring philosophers, authors, and scholars who push controversial ideas into careful debate. The show tends to favor rigorous analysis, live-trial ideas, and nuanced positions, with hosts challenging objections while inviting guests who can illuminate complex concepts. It may be especially compelling for listeners who enjoy cerebral discourse, ethical puzzles, and the practical implications of philosophical theories in politics, law, and culture.
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Brain in a Vat launched 6 years ago and published 286 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Brain in a Vat include:
1. David Benetton
2. Kevin Allison
3. Chloe Carmichael
4. Amy Wax
5. Stephen Kershnar
6. Nathan Bray
7. Sebastian Purcell
8. Cécile Fabre
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