Fauxlosophers

In this episode, Joe has a gripe with terms whose definitions are merely the contradiction of some other term, especially ideological labels. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers is supported by viewers like yo...

In this episode, we discuss the cultural barriers that the West's religious history creates that hinder progress toward a free society. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers is supported by viewers like you. If...

What is the distinction between an ordinary paid endorsement and shilling? Is it even humanly possible to be impartial? In this episode, we look briefly into the history of the term and some ethical implications. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https:...

"It's better to ask forgiveness than permission," the saying goes. In this episode, we explore the implications of doing things without permission and breaking agreements. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers i...

People often justify their decisions after committing to them. Is it wrong that we do this? What are some consequences that could arise from accepting post-hoc reasoning? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers is...

(note: this episode was recorded near Halloween 2019) "Woo" is a category of memes which hinge upon the mysterious nature of various phenomena that may be understood but for whatever reason are ripe for misconceptions and misunderstanding. How can we identify woo when we see it, and what are some common examples? This is one of our sillier episodes, and we muse about the realism of various Hallowe...

People tend to be uncomfortable with the idea of others harming themselves, either in mundane cases like smoking tobacco or in extreme cases like suicide. However, most liberal thinkers tend to agree that bodily autonomy is important in a free society, and that if an action does not have a victim, there's no moral implication. Can we identify cases where self-harm does have victims and we can decl...

This week, we're joined by Chad Perrin, author of the Metaphysical Moral Caution essay and founder of the Copyfree Initiative, to discuss the morality of military intervention abroad. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fau...

Nobody likes to be offended, and we see people who offend others as rude and generally undesirable in society. However, the nature of taking offense can make it difficult for someone to avoid offending others, and sometimes avoiding offense can lead to suppression of factual information that people might object to. What can be said about the morality of offending others? Can we make a case of obje...

In this episode, we explore the possible consequences of failing to see one's current circumstances accurately. How do we downplay our circumstances and get into trouble, and what can happen when we assume the worst case scenario? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.co...

The Non-Aggression Principle (NAP) is the core principle around which a free society must be built. Where does this concept break down? What situations might we conceivably find ourselves in where the NAP seems to fail us, and how might we move forward without resorting to violence? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via t...

Is it fair to hold someone responsible for actions they take because they are gullible? How does this relate to defamation law? In this episode, we discuss several scenarios involving liars and their gullible believers and whether claims can be brought against liars by those who are affected by their lies. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think...

As we judge others for their actions, either in criminal justice or everyday life, should their intent be taken into consideration, or are the consequences the only thing that matters? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fa...

This week, we discuss what it means to be open-minded and the merits of open-mindedness. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers is supported by viewers like you. If you feel inclined to donate, you can do so thro...

Self-ownership is often proposed as a handy metaphor that gives intuitions about individual rights, but how useful is this concept, really? Does it create contradictions with our other conceptions of property? Is it permissible for a person to sell oneself? Is it moral to interfere with a suicide attempt? In this episode, we challenge this concept and try to make sense of our intuitions about self...

There are many different conceptions of property. In this episode, we try to come up with a coherent definition based on the societal goals that the concept of property is meant to achieve. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophe...

Why is it that we form coalitions, and why do they always seem to break down? What effects do these coalitions have on our societies? Can we achieve the benefits of coalitions without the costs? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlo...

"If you don't like the way things are here, you can always leave," so we are often told. Just how realistic is that claim, and how does it apply to politics and social media alike? NOTICE: At this time, Fauxlosophers is no longer a live show. We may decide to start streaming the show live again in the future, but for now we aren't, so there is no link for the live stream that Joe mentions at the b...

What does it mean to be willfully ignorant? Should we hold people responsible for being willfully ignorant, and if so, where do we draw the distinction between unwillingness to seek out new information and unwillingness to question our own beliefs? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: faux...

What does it mean to believe? How is it different or similar to knowing? Is it a choice? Believing is something most all of us do seemingly without thinking about it or really talking about the process of believing itself. In this episode, we discuss these questions and the implications of their answers. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think,...

What is an expert, really? Oftentimes in news, courtrooms, or even regular conversations, you'll hear the phrase "experts say..." Who are these experts? What does it mean to be an expert? And what is the impact, role, and maybe even responsibility of these experts in societies? -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the fo...

"Those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them," so the saying goes. When we look at the past, we do so with the benefit of knowing the outcome. With this benefit, however, we have the cost of understanding those of the time we consider. When looking at the past, and especially when judging actions of the past, should we make special consideration? -- If you have s...

This week we discuss a specific type of tribalism so prevalent that it gets its own name! -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlosophers Fauxlosophers is supported by viewers like you. If you feel inclined to donate, you can do so thr...

What is your responsibility, directly or indirectly? How many times have you been told something is your responsibility only to stop and think, "is it?" Today let's talk about how we know what is our responsibility and why. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anc...

What does it mean to commit a crime? Do you have to know what you're doing, or can you break the law accidentally? This week we discuss crimes which are only crimes when you know they're crimes. -- If you have suggestions for future show topics or just want to let us know what you think, you can reach us via the following methods: - Email: fauxlosophers@gmail.com - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fauxlo...