The Uncommon Wisdom Podcast

In this episode, Eric and I discuss his theory of jerks, moral mediocrity, death bed regrets, the extent of our conscious experience, and much more! Eric Schwitzgebel is Professor of Philosophy at University of California, Riverside. He works on topics in the philosophy of psychology, philosophy of mind, and moral psychology. He has many publications to his credit. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Prof. Morris Kleiner and I discuss the nature of occupational licensing, why occupational licensing is more about excluding competition than quality or competence, why licensing requirements need to be reformed, and much more besides. Everything you wanted to know about occupational licensing!Morris M. Kleiner is professor and AFL-CIO Chair in Labor Policy at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He also teaches at the University's Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies. He has received many teaching awards including University and school-wide ones for classes in public affairs, business, and economics. He is an expert on labor issues for the government, labor, nonprofits, and business. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In a thought-provoking discussion, Robin Hanson, an economist at George Mason University and a research associate at Oxford's Future of Humanity Institute, dives into the fascinating world of prediction markets. He explains how these markets, designed to aggregate information, can serve as a 'tax on BS' by aligning incentives and revealing true beliefs. Robin shares innovative applications for these markets in policy decision-making, hiring practices, and navigating emerging technologies like AI. He also delves into the social barriers to their adoption and the psychological resistance to marketization.

In this episode, Robin and I discuss the fact that we don’t know our own minds nearly as well as we think, how practices like laughter and charity are often more about impressing others, the inefficacy of healthcare spending on outcomes, and much more besides.Robin Hanson is associate professor of economics at George Mason University, and research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Antony and I discuss inflation and shortages, monetary and fiscal policy, and whether, in the long term, the bankruptcy of the Federal government would be something positive. Antony Davies is Associate Professor of Economics at the Palumbo Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University. His research interests include econometrics, public policy, and consumer behavior. Davies has authored over 150 op-eds for, among others, the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Investors Business Daily, and New York Daily News. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Donald and I discuss the best arguments for and against gun control, the implications of gun control, and how gun control relates to regulating alcohol.Donald Bruckner is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Penn State University, and the author of many research articles on gun control and veganism. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Dan and I discuss the ethics of eating meat, and why vegetarianism and veganism aren’t as morally straightforward as many people think.Dan Shahar is a Professor of Philosophy at University of New Orleans, and the author of, among other books, Why It’s OK to Eat Meat. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Emrys and I discuss the virtuous aspects of vices such as gossip and disrespecting the views and beliefs of others, the value of frugality, and much more.Professor Emrys Westacott is a professor of Philosophy at Alfred University in New York, where he has taught since 1996. He is the author of, among other books, The Virtues of Our Vices and The Wisdom of Frugality. Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Kevin and I discuss the issue of free will, the evidential problem of evil, the nature of character traits, the contours of agency, and much more. Kevin Timpe is the William H. Jellema Chair in Christian Philosophy at Calvin University. His primary research interests range across the metaphysics of free will, philosophy of disability, virtue theory, and philosophical theology Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Tom and I discuss monetary policy, why inflation is bad and unlikely to abate in the near term, how cheap money erodes prosperity, crypto-currencies, and much more.Thomas Hoenig is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, served as Vice Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 2012 until 2018, and was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a member of the Federal Reserve System's Federal Open Market Committee from 1991 to 2011.‘The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.’—Friedrich Hayek, The Fatal Conceit (1988) Get full access to Uncommon Wisdom at jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com/subscribe