Emma•ism

In this episode, ideology and U.S. law is discussed. It is held that we must understand the current U.S. system of laws as an Ideological State Apparatus, and that education can work to eliminate the racist ideology it perpetuates.

In this episode, Paul W. Taylor’s Principle of Compensatory Justice is discussed in the context of Rawls’s principles of justice. Moreover, its compatibility with Rawls’s framework is evaluated, and it is argued that it is incompatible. This incompatibility is held to be derived from the necessary violation of Rawls’s first principle (Greatest Liberty Principle) —more specifically, by undermining...

In this episode, market share liability is analyzed through a philosphical lens. It is argued that market share liability ought to be rejected as a legal doctrine. The deontological context for this rejection is presented as three pillars: (1) Predictability Is Not Causation, (2) The Concern of the Nonspecific Actor, and (3) A Kantian Objection: Adherence to the Formula of Humanity. A secondary ar...

In this episode, solidarity is discussed. An argument is put forth that the innate orientation to others (that the virtue of solidarity calls for) is one essence of pur character, that as a collective, we have lost. This deficiency is attributed to (1) a misunderstanding of the tripartite duty of solidarity (that is, we reduce it to one dimension) and (2) that misunderstanding being perpetuated th...

In this episode, slavery as an adaptive preference in the Ottoman empire is discussed. An argument is presented for how the role of slavery in the Ottoman Empire supported adaptive preferences among its constituents and how this philosophical interpretation can offer insight into a novel dimension of the historical context by demonstrating that the empire had an active role in dictating the desire...

In this episode, Emma’s new project is overviewed. In the realm of epistemology, Emma is interested in ensuring that theories of testimony and epistemic justice include provisions for individuals with disabilities. This project in particular argues that to remedy epistemic injustice (as defined by Miranda Fricker), a specific dimension of the virtue of testimonial justice must be established —that...

In this episode, Emma’s new project is overviewed. In the realm of epistemology, Emma is interested in ensuring that theories of testimony and epistemic justice include provisions for individuals with disabilities. This project in particular argues that to remedy epistemic injustice (as defined by Miranda Fricker), a specific dimension of the virtue of testimonial justice must be established —that...

In this episode, the role of testimony in social epistemology is discussed. It is argued that testimony is necessary for the progression of knowledge. The podcast includes mention of Miranda Fricker, Elizabeth Fricker, and Edward Craig.

In this episode, the themes of memory and recollection are discussed by drawing a parallel between Carly Rae Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe and St. Augustine’s Confessions Book X. This podcast is an elaboration and discussion of Emma Sondergaard Jensen’s article on the Collegium Institute’s blog site (“Call Me Maybe: You Were Within, But I Was Without”). After all, can we really exhaust the discussion of...

In this episode, ideology and Althusser’s “Ideological State Apparatus” paper are discussed. An explanation of what is meant by ideology, ideological subjects, and material conditions of existence is offered through two lenses. The first explanation is explored from the classic Althusser and Pascal quote on religion. The second is an attempt of a new explanation of how the evolution of tea time in...

In this episode, the upcoming release of How to Excel in Undergraduate Philosophy is discussed. The motivation of the book is overviewed with special emphasis on how students benefit more from being taught how to think as opposed to being taught what to think. The book is expected to be available later this Fall. Stay tuned for more information!

In this episode, it is presented that humans rely on rituals to comfortably navigate through their lives to their mortality. With analysis of “The Analects,” the importance of ritual is discussed with the support of ancient Chinese philosophy. It is concluded that rituals and traditions connect humanity and give context to our human experience. Moreover, they progress society’s intention toward mo...

In this episode, arguments for the moral status of abortion are discussed. Recently, debate over the permissibility of abortion has taken center stage in politics. And so, in an effort to promote philosophical thought in relation to this debate, I survey some pieces that one may want to reference in holding their case —whether it be pro-choice, or anti-abortion. To accomplish this, particular essa...

In this episode, Bernard William’s “One Thought Too Many” objection to Kant’s account of moral motivation in the Groundwork is discussed. What it means for an actor to do the right thing for the right reason is analyzed in regard to Kant’s idea of acting from the motive of duty. Ultimately, it is sustained that acting from the motive of duty is what determines an act’s unconditional moral worth.

In this episode, poverty alleviation programs are discussed in junction with the concept of agency. It is argued that work-based contingency programs offer the best opportunities to the aided to exercise/foster agency in order to progress out of poverty. Combatting poverty at the agency of the individual is impactful because it cultivates habits of mind that can be applied throughout all aspects o...

In this episode, Emma’s passion for philosophy is discussed. This is the 50th episode of Emmaism. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

In this episode, both hedonism about wellbeing and Nozick’s Experience Machine are discussed. There is an argument made against hedonism about well-being that is backed by the thought experiment put forth by Nozick. So, the Experience Machine serves to demonstrate that hedonism about wellbeing is false. Would you plug into the Experience Machine?

In this episode, left and right libertarianism is discussed. It is argued, with support of Nozick’s “Anarchy, State, Utopia” that right libertarianism is the most plausible theory of justice. Entitlement Theory is analyzed as well as justice in transfer, acquisition, and rectification. Barbara Fried’s critique of Nozick’s Wilt Chamberlain argument is also presented.

In this episode, education is discussed. This is an interview with Terrence Nolan. The questions of why we are educated and the importance of education are discussed. The current and optimal states of the education system are addressed and analyzed.

In this episode, the democratization of philosophy is discussed. Philosophy seems like a very distant and unattainable discipline to interact with and study, but that is truly not the case. In order to progress society and the human condition, we must bring philosophy back to the masses. This episode is an interview with Heidi Søndergaard Jensen

In this episode, love is discussed. The subject is inspired by the upcoming feast day of St. Valentine. The three natures of love are discussed: eros, philia, and agape. How these three natures guide humanity to derive normative statements that provide framework for how we ought to live and love is evaluated.

In this episode, the role and reach of religion in society is discussed. The decline of religion is analyzed in regards to what it is that society is missing due to the decline of religion and religious thought. Then, the decline of religion is connected to the U.S.’s reaction and response to the ongoing pandemic. It is argued that the response to COVID-19 is largely dictated by the secularized na...

In this episode, Neoplatonism and 1 Cor 12:12-30 is discussed. Emanation from “the One” is compared to the diversity of gifts from God expressed in 1 Cor 12:12-30. A contemporary application is advanced in support of the thesis that unification of humanity is through its quality of ‘being.’

In this episode, premises are discussed. This is an interview with Heidi Søndergaard Jensen.

In this episode, Martha Nussbaum’s critical objection to Social Contract Theory is discussed. There is concern for the implications of certain conditions limiting participants in the Social Contract and how those constraints affect how moral duties are ascribed. Listen to hear how Nussbaum’s critique of Social Contract Theory can be extended to highlight how the theory excludes some human beings.