Philosophy Bites

Alexander Guerrero, a philosopher at Rutgers who champions lotocracy and sortition as alternatives to elections. He explains replacing elections with randomly selected representatives. He discusses eligibility rules, term structure and pay, and ways lotteries could curb fundraising and corruption. He weighs competence concerns, training and pilot trials, and compares lotocracy to citizens’ assemblies and ancient Athenian practice.

A discussion of claims that constitutions carry a 'colonised imagination' and where that argument is used in India and South Africa. Examination of the Indian constitution’s origins amid partition and debates over universality, secularism, civil liberties and separation of powers. Questions about privileging indigenous traditions and whether framers exercised genuine agency under power constraints.

Janet Radcliffe Richards, philosopher and author known for work in ethics and philosophy of science. She discusses how spotting contradictions defines philosophical thinking. She applies this to medical ethics, including the organ-selling puzzle. She also stresses clear reasoning, logical skills, and how philosophy clarifies debates like women's rights.

In this discussion, Chike Jeffers, a philosopher from Dalhousie University specializing in Africana philosophy, dives into the rich landscape of African thought. He emphasizes the significance of oral traditions and how proverbs serve as philosophical texts. Jeffers explores early African writing from Egypt to Ethiopia and highlights the influence of Islam and Swahili literature. He examines how colonialism and the slave trade shaped modern thought and what it means to define philosophy itself within the Africana context.

Samuel Scheffler dives deep into the complexities of grief, illustrating how it uniquely evolves over time compared to other emotions like gratitude and fear. He discusses why intense grief fades, even when the loss remains constant, and how relationship types influence the duration of mourning. The conversation explores the tension between the urge to move on and the need to grieve, while examining grief as a responsive, reason-sensitive emotional experience. Scheffler presents thought-provoking insights into the philosophical implications of our emotional journey through loss.

Edouard Machery, a philosopher specializing in cross-cultural intuitions and thought experiments, delves into the surprising variability of responses to philosophical dilemmas. He challenges the idea that intuitions are universal, sharing insights from studies conducted across diverse cultures. Notably, he examines the Gettier problem and reveals unexpected global agreement, while also highlighting significant differences in interpretations of Kripke's and Putnam's thought experiments. Machery argues for the need to scrutinize the reliability of thought experiments in philosophical discourse.

Lewis Gordon, a philosophy professor and author of What Fanon Said, dives deep into the life and legacy of Frantz Fanon, a pivotal figure in decolonial thought. They explore how Fanon's Creole roots shaped his humanism and his influence as a psychiatrist and political thinker. Gordon discusses Fanon's thesis on how colonialism breeds sociogenetic disorders and the nuances of racism affecting both oppressor and oppressed. He also connects Fanon's ideas to civil rights movements and highlights his vision for a humane post-colonial society.

David Edmonds, an author and journalist known for his book 'Death in a Shallow Pond', dives into Peter Singer's thought experiment about a drowning child. He explores the moral implications of choosing between saving a child or prioritizing personal belongings. Topics include applying this scenario to global poverty, the challenges of impartial ethics, and the demanding nature of Singer's views. Edmonds also discusses Effective Altruism and the importance of impact in charity, tackling criticisms and misconceptions surrounding the movement.

Carlos Alberto Sánchez, author of "Blooming in the Ruins," brings his insights into the distinctive nature of Mexican philosophy. He discusses how this philosophy emerges from Mexico's unique geopolitical context and existential needs. Key topics include the intricate concept of freedom, rooted in cultural and historical complexities, and the powerful notions of Nepantla and Zazobra that address life’s uncertainties. Sánchez also contrasts Mexican attitudes toward death with those in North America, revealing deep cultural influences on these views.