The Valmy

Bernard Williams, a renowned Professor of Philosophy, dives deep into human prejudice and speciesism. He contrasts traditional anthropocentrism with modern views on humanity's place in the universe. The discussion explores ethical implications of prioritizing human rights and critiques flawed reasoning behind speciesism. Williams challenges our understanding of personhood and suffering, while urging a reevaluation of moral responsibilities toward all sentient beings. Through this exploration, he raises compelling questions about our biases and ethical identity.

Adrian Moore, an Oxford professor, delves into the philosophical legacy of Bernard Williams, a leading figure in ethics. They discuss Williams' critiques of utilitarianism, using thought experiments to illustrate the complexities of moral decision-making. Moore highlights the distinction between ethics and morality, emphasizing a broader, more nuanced understanding of human existence. Additionally, they explore cultural relativism and the challenge of applying universal moral standards across diverse societies, underscoring the intricate nature of ethical evaluations.

Podcast: Elucidations Episode: Episode 118: Tyler Cowen discusses Stubborn AttachmentsRelease date: 2019-09-12Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationIn this episode, Tyler Cowen lays out an interesting normative ethical theory according to which we should be utilitarians, but with a twist: we should be utilitarians who care just as much about the humans of the future as we care about people now. Re-emphasizing our commitment to future people, he argues, has the effect of allowing us to embrace utilitarianism wholeheartedly without having to feel like we aren't doing enough. Why? The best way to make life better for future generations is to help bring about economic growth, and we have good reason to think that a lot of what we're already doing is pretty good for economic growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast: Conversations with Tyler Episode: Rob Wiblin interviews Tyler on *Stubborn Attachments*Release date: 2018-10-16Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationIn this special episode, Rob Wiblin of 80,000 Hours has the super-sized conversation he wants to have with Tyler about Stubborn Attachments. In addition to a deep examination of the ideas in the book, the conversation ranges far and wide across Tyler's thinking, including why we won't leave the galaxy, the unresolvable clash between the claims of culture and nature, and what Tyrone would have to say about the book, and more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links. Recorded September 21st, 2018 Other ways to connect Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Follow Tyler on Twitter Follow 80,000 Hours on Twitter Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox.

Podcast: Philosophy Bites Episode: Cheryl Misak on Frank Ramsey and Ludwig WittgensteinRelease date: 2020-05-30Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationCheryl Misak has recently published a biography of F.P. Ramsey, the great Cambridge thinker who died at the age of only 26, but who nevertheless made a significant impact in several different fields including philosophy, mathematics, and economics. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast she discusses Ramsey's interactions with Wittgenstein. The two thinkers had very different personal styles and their philosophies reflect this.

Podcast: Philosophy Bites Episode: Dan Sperber on the Enigma of Reasonhthttps://www.dan.sperber.fr/Release date: 2011-09-25Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationOur reasoning capacity sets us apart from other animals. But reason is frequently prone to error. Why then did we evolve with a capacity for reason at all? This is a question that has vexed Dan Sperber - with Hugo Mercier he has been researching the topic. Dan Sperber discusses their research and conclusions with Nigel Warburton for this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast. Philosophy Bites is made in assocation with the Institute of Philosophy.

Podcast: The Audio Long Read Episode: Why we need worst-case thinking to prevent pandemicsRelease date: 2020-03-23Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationThreats to humanity, and how we address them, define our time. Why are we still so complacent about facing up to existential risk? By Toby Ord. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/longreadpod">theguardian.com/longreadpod</a>

Podcast: Rationally Speaking Podcast Episode: Rationally Speaking #232 - Tyler Cowen on "Defending big business against its critics"Release date: 2019-04-30Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationEconomist Tyler Cowen discusses his latest book, "Big Business: A love-letter to an American anti-hero." Why has anti-capitalist sentiment increased recently, and to what extent is it justified? How much are corporations to blame for wage stagnation, climbing cost of living, or the slow response to climate change? Tyler and Julia also explore their various disagreements: on how to communicate, whether people should bet on their beliefs, and whether we should increase public optimism about technology.

Podcast: EconTalk Episode: Jerry Muller on the Tyranny of MetricsRelease date: 2018-04-16Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationHistorian and author Jerry Muller of Catholic University talks about his latest book, The Tyranny of Metrics, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Muller argues that public policy and management are overly focused on measurable outcomes as a measure of success. This leads to organizations and agencies over-focusing on metrics rather than their broader mission. The conversation includes applications to education, crime, and health care.

Podcast: EconTalk Episode: Joshua Greene on Moral Tribes, Moral Dilemmas, and UtilitarianismRelease date: 2015-01-05Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationJoshua Greene, of Harvard University and author of Moral Tribes: Emotion, Reason, and the Gap Between Us and Them, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about morality and the challenges we face when our morality conflicts with that of others. Topics discussed include the difference between what Greene calls automatic thinking and manual thinking, the moral dilemma known as "the trolley problem," and the difficulties of identifying and solving problems in a society that has a plurality of values. Greene defends utilitarianism as a way of adjudicating moral differences.