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Brain in a Vat

Brain in a Vat
Morality
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Autonomous Weapon Systems
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Gun Rights Advocacy
Black Women
Police Militarization
Guns
Societal Disparities
Philosophy
Consciousness
Evolutionary Psychology
Near-Death Experiences
Gender Incongruence
Mental Health
Historical Context
Thought Experiments

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes274Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

Is it permissible for members of one group to appropriate the cultural practices of another? Is there anything wrong with cultural appropriation at all, or are there benefits to cultural appropriation?

How did the Aztecs understand life, morality, and human purpose? What can Aztec philosophy teach us about living well?

Sebastian Purcell guides us through Aztec thought, beginning with a thought experiment from Homer’s Odyssey and moving into the c... more

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 crit... more

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]... more

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Recent Guests

Sebastian Purcell
Philosopher and author focused on Aztec philosophy
Episode: Aztec Philosophy: What the Aztecs Knew About Life | Sebastian Purcell
Cécile Fabre
Philosopher specializing in the ethics of espionage and treason
Episode: The Moral Lives of Spies | Cécile Fabre
Raja Halwani
A philosopher who specializes in discussions on love and sex.
Philosopher
Episode: The Right to Sex | Raja Halwani (Rebroadcast)
Jessica Flanigan
Philosopher and author focused on ethical reasoning in politics and the sociology of sex work.
Episode: Decriminalizing Sex Work | Jessica Flanigan
Martha Nussbaum
One of the world's most influential philosophers
University of Chicago
Episode: Disgust | Martha Nussbaum (Rebroadcast)
Spencer Case
Host of Micro-Degressions and philosopher
Micro-Degressions
Episode: Patriotism Unpacked | Spencer Case (Rebroadcast)
Jared Millson
Philosopher at Rhodes College
Rhodes College
Episode: Are Conspiracy Theories Right? | Jared Millson and Ella Coleman
Jason Brennan
Philosopher and author focusing on democracy and political behavior
American University
Episode: The Problem with Democracy | Jason Brennan (Rebroadcast)
Kurt Blankschaen
Co-author of the paper discussing queer representation in acting
N/A
Episode: Should Only Queer Actors Play Queer Roles? | Kurt Blankschaen & Travis Timmerman

Hosts

Dr. Jason Werbeloff
Host of conversations focusing on thought experiments and philosophical inquiries, often bringing an analytical and engaging perspective to complex topics.
Mark Oppenheimer
Co-host involved in philosophical discussions, known for his engaging dialogue style that balances intellectual rigor with accessibility.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 191 ratings
  • Amazing

    Great exercise for the brain

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vampingo
    Germany6 months ago
  • Difficult to believe!

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    PHoward61
    Canada9 months ago
  • Engaging and Thought-Provoking 👍👍

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anna [SOP]
    United Statesa year ago
  • An incredible podcast. Highly accessible, beautifully clear and well-argued philosophical discussions on a wide range of topics. A great option for anyone looking to examine their beliefs more deeply and learn more about philosophy.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    xolotlll
    a year ago
  • Not a great place for philosophy after all

    Some great episodes but the latest Israelipuff piece with absolutely no real debate about the ethics of the conflict is just embarrassing really. We want discussion, not propaganda please. How disappointing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dargaret & Mavid
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the engaging and intellectually stimulating content offered by the hosts.
There are critiques regarding the handling of controversial topics, with some feeling that certain episodes are overly simplistic or lacking diverse perspectives.
Overall, the podcast is recommended for anyone interested in thoughtful discourse and producing new insights on pressing societal issues.
Listeners frequently commend the accessibility of complex philosophical ideas, making them relatable and enjoyable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Procreative Ethics | Rivka Weinberg (Rebroadcast)
Q: Where do you think that we could have either of those two parental licensing schemes, whether they'd be permissible or required?
I would not be in favor of that due to potential abuses and problems with state powers over deep personal choices.
Procreative Ethics | Rivka Weinberg (Rebroadcast)
Q: Do you think we can owe these beings something given that they don't yet exist?
Yes, but it's complicated. I think we do owe things to future people if we have a good reason to think they're going to be there.
Is Tarot a Tool for Thought? | Georgi Gardiner
Q: How do you view the interplay of thought while engaging with Tarot?
It's a mix of both evidence of current thoughts and a creative tool to spark new ideas and dialogue.
Is Tarot a Tool for Thought? | Georgi Gardiner
Q: Do you think that Tarot provides us with unique insights into the truth, even if it comes through an unconventional pathway?
Yes, Tarot can help us navigate difficult questions and uncover truths we may avoid otherwise.
Living The Philosophical Life | Agnes Callard
Q: Do you think that the sort of Socratic views on love can give us some ideas about what we could be doing better?
A Socratic approach to love could guide experimentation in understanding relationships better, focusing on what’s truly significant in love.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Brain in a Vat

What is Brain in a Vat about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers deep and engaging conversations centered around thought experiments conducted with contemporary philosophers. Themes often explored include ethics, morality, and social justice, frequently inviting scrutiny of current societal norms through philosophical lenses. Episodes dissect complex topics, such as free speech, gender roles, capitalism, and the implications of artificial intelligence, making intricate ideas accessible and enjoyable for listeners. The hosts strive to create a space conducive to open dialogue, allowing for a mix of serious inquiry and light-hearted banter, thereby keeping the conversations intellectually stimulating yet relatable.

One unique aspect is the focus on controversial and timely subjects tha... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Brain in a Vat?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Brain in a Vat:

1. Philosophy Bites
2. The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
3. Very Bad Wizards
4. Philosophize This!
5. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

How many episodes of Brain in a Vat are there?

Brain in a Vat launched 5 years ago and published 274 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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What guests have appeared on Brain in a Vat?

Recent guests on Brain in a Vat include:

1. Sebastian Purcell
2. Cécile Fabre
3. Raja Halwani
4. Jessica Flanigan
5. Martha Nussbaum
6. Spencer Case
7. Jared Millson
8. Jason Brennan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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