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] Antisemitism and Bigotry [25:53] Jewish Identity and Group Affinity [35:04] Jewish Humor and Self-Deprecation [38:14] Jews in the Ivy League: A Historical Perspective [41:14] Direct vs. Indirect Discrimination [46:34 ..read more

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 Boys' [28:17] Conrad Lorenz and the Ducklings: A Metaphor for Social Roles [33:58] The Debate on Context-Dependent Definitions of Sex [38:21] Legal and Social Implications of Gender Identity [52:41] The Controversy Over Pub ..read more

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] Sex Work as Labor: A Critical Examination [34:15] Civil Rights and Sexual Autonomy in Prostitution [35:33] Arguments Against Treating Prostitution as Regular Work [38:14] Historical Context of Civil Rights Legislation [45 ..read more

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 Monogamy: Common Arguments [06:35] The Morality of Consensual Restrictions [13:53] Exploring the Concept of Exclusivity [18:54] Workplace Analogies and Monogamy [22:45] Balancing Risks and Benefits [29:44] Questioning M ..read more

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] The Networking Effect [11:18] Tracking and Rights Violations [13:48] Real-Life Implications [14:18] Challenging the First Premise [22:56] Networking and Privacy Concerns [30:08] The Hidden Dangers of Private Spaces [32:13 ..read more

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] Language, Slurs, and Bullshit [45:06] Navigating Misinformation and Critical Thinking [54:01 ] Conclusion and Final Thoughts ..read more

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 Advantage [17:05] Defining Privilege and Its Implications [22:31] Critiques and Counterarguments [28:54] Historical Gender Discrimination in Education [30:33] Men's Disadvantages and Social Perceptions [34:18] Privilege in ..read more

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 tec ..read more

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? [00:00] Introduction and Thought Experiment [00:29] Criticism and Cultural Appropriation [02:07] Ownership of Ideas [04:49] Intellectual Property and Cultural Rights [12:03] Personal Offense and Cultural Symbols [22:27] The Benefits of Cultural Appropriation [27:47] Three Objections to Cultural Appropriation [31:15] Consequentialism and Cultural Appropriation [34:34] Balancing Cultural Sensitiv ..read more

Stephen Maitzen argues that the world is deterministic. But if all of our choices are determined, how should we understand free will, the meaning of life, and regret?   Read Maitzen’s Book here: https://www.routledge.com/Determinism-Death-and-Meaning/Maitzen/p/book/9781032134185 [00:00] Introduction to Determinism and Thought Experiment [00:15] Clark Griswold's Christmas Lights: A Lesson in Determinism [04:01] Probabilistic Explanations vs. Deterministic Explanations [05:06] The Limits of Probabilistic Explanations [12:47] Human Behavior and Determinism [17:26] Infinite Regres ..read more