Brain in a Vat

What is horror, and why do some of us willingly terrify ourselves by watching or reading the genre? Is horror poor quality fiction, or can it offer us a unique opportunity for empathy and moral growth?   Jacob's book: https://www.amazon.com/Stephen-King-Philosophy-Great-Authors/dp/1442253843

Are universities a safe space for dangerous ideas? Does a right to academic freedom guarantee a culture that tolerates controversial views? Should universities limit the research fields of professors? Micro Digressions Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/956725  Spencer's Blog: https://www.spencercasephilosophy.com/

Are all Gods created equal? Are certain divine attributes less likely to be real given that multiples faiths exist?  Are religions like different paths leading to the same destination?

Does a fetus have a right to life? Should there be any limitations on the choices that a woman makes over her own body?    Nathan's book: https://www.abortionarguments.com/p/this-book-introduces-readers-to-many.html  Thomson's violinist: https://spot.colorado.edu/~heathwoo/Phil160,Fall02/thomson.htm

Anarchism, or the view that we should not have a government, seems impractical. But Michael Huemer believes there is a way to understand Anarchism that not only resolves these impracticalities - it may provide a better society than the one we have now.  Michael Huemer's book, 'The Problem of Political Authority': https://www.amazon.com/Problem-Political-Authority-Examination-Coerce/dp/1137281650

What's it like to be unable to recognize faces? 2% of the population have a neurological condition called prosopagnosia, or face blindness - including this week's guest, and one of our hosts.  Listen to Jeff's Face Blind podcast here: https://faceblindpodcast.com/

Christopher Nolan's Tenet is a visual feast, but does it make any sense? Eron Fasser explains if you can you time travel to change the past and if Neil and Protagonist have free will?  Brain in a Vat Book:  www.smarturl.it/lockdownbook

A round up of our favorite episodes and some insight into how we make the show. We will be on a hiatus until January. Let us know in the YouTube comments who you want to see us interview in the coming year.

Is the Supreme Court merely a political body made up of warring liberals and conservatives? Should Judges apply laws that are unjust? Will the Supreme Court declare Trump the winner of the election? Leiter Report: https://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/

What makes life worth living? How valuable are truth, beauty and morality? If life is ultimately meaningless from the perspective of the universe is none the less better to have been born?  Thad on the Meaning of Life :https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/life-meaning/