Chapel Phil

Trigger warning : this episode contains discussions on mental health, suicide, generational trauma, and racial violence.   What does ethical mental health care look like among the UNC student body? How do long waitlists to see a therapist, pricey appointments, and a lack of involvement from the university harm UNC students? In this episode, Ashley, Brennan, Elise, and Lorelai discuss the ment...

Limited testing, no vaccine mandate, no quarantine housing, echo chambers, and a soon-to-be lifted mask mandate. What does this mean for UNC? Tune in to our second episode of the Spring semester to hear Max and Annette duke it out over Individualist and Collectivist approaches to handling a virus like COVID-19.  In this episode, Samad and Andy challenge the lenses of collectivism and individu...

In our first episode of the 2021-2022 school year, Andy, Samad, and Max discuss the ethics behind keeping academia locked behind paywalls. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a number of financial issues for the university, but why are our JSTOR subscriptions are the first to go ?  Tools that are vital to the education of students, support of staff with research in the works, and just general f...

In this episode of What Should You Do?, Brennan takes us through Groundhog Day, where every day repeats itself! Without long-term consequences, is theft still immoral? How about harming others? Listen in to hear what Philosophers think, and Brennan's quick witted responses. Special thanks to the UNC Philosophy department for many great responses!  Resources:  All music featured in this e...

More justices doesn't mean more justice. In this episode of Chapel Phil, Max Hazerjian tours the history of the US Supreme Court to examine when and how it can be expanded. After historical framing, Max argues that many other methods of court reform could be superior political and constitutional alternatives -- listen to find out why!  Citations: All music in this episode is the property of E...

How we move through the world depends upon how our identity interacts with the spaces around us.  This episode features the multi-talented Clay Morris, who is an activist, journalist, and podcaster, among other things. Listen along as Clay guides us through how he navigates spaces that aren't always designed for him.  The discussion covers spaces at UNC, spaces in general, and what the w...

What Should You Do?: Fake News brings back Brennan to talk about how we might interact with someone who promotes fake news. Reviewing input from Philosophers at UNC, Brennan navigates unfollowing, unfriending, and finding empathy for those who can't tell Babylon Bee from Breaking News.  References & Special Thanks: Special thanks to the UNC Philosophy department for their anonymous contri...

If I intentionally commit one crime, but another worse crime results, can I be held accountable? How about those that aided me?  In this episode, Anna dives into the efficacy and ethics of felony murder, touching on history in the common law and the American tradition.  Citations:  All music is the property of Epidemic Sound.  People V. Aaron: https://law.justia.com/cases/michi...

In this episode, Noah critiques the decision of the University Administration to send some students back in person on February 8th, a seemingly arbitrary date.  We, UNC students, have finally started adjusting to online learning. So, unless the university can justify why we must start sending students back now, this decision is not worth the emotional, logistical, and physical stress that it...

What Should You Do? is a new episode series on Chapel Phil, led by Brennan Maynard.  Philosophers often say a lot about what other people should do, but what would they do in different tense situations? We put UNC philosophers into zany or serious situations and review their responses. Someone has to do it!  Content Warning: Suicide. (Skip mins. 3-5 if you please) In the inaugural episod...

Emily Rakes consults John Stuart Mill for advice on a concerning phenomenon: Anti-vaxxers endangering others in the name of "individualism". Does anti-vaxxing align with Mill's thoughts on individualism? How is the phenomenon typical of the United States' traditional individualism?  These questions and more, explored on this episode of Chapel Phil! As always, special thanks to Sid Sirdeshmukh...

In this episode, Yueying debuts, referencing Nozick and Scruton's pieces on the concept of love.  Forming a union and a meaningful relationship requires many changes to one's life. How does the concept depend on the formation of another entity -- a collective concept of "WE"? Special Thanks once again to Sid Sirdeshmukh for providing the beats featured on this episode.  Sources Cited:&nb...

When musicians act immorally, should we still listen to their music?  In this episode, Elise discusses 1. the extent to which listening is an endorsement of an artist's actions, 2. whether we can separate art from an artist, and 3. how celebrity complicates the circumstances of public judgment.  Highlight quote:  TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual assault.  Citations: https://www.nytimes....

Happy Holidays! This year, we're all "Ba Humbug"!  In her podcast debut, Brennan asks the question: Is it ethical to lie about Santa Claus to our children? Brennan consults many ethical perspectives in her search to determine an answer. Some perspectives include rule-based ethics, utilitarian calculations, Joe Biehl's "Lies, Damn Lies, and Santa Claus", and "Your Kids Believe in Santa? A Scie...

Noah and Max talk about how the pandemic has strained many peoples' mental health. Questions like: "What can we do to improve mental health while complying with our moral obligations to others" and "What is the balance between social interaction and mental health" strive to uncover some aspects of the complex relationship between the pandemic's obligations and our own obligations to maintain menta...

Anna and Noah provide insights about some of the best professors and classes that they have taken at UNC.  As general advice, fulfilling your PH credit or continuing on in the philosophy major should be a fun and exciting process. We know that registration is stressful and overcomplicated,  but, hopefully, this episode can provide some insights on who you might want to take, or what cour...

This episode continues with Hamish hosting Pavel, Mary Elizabeth, and Garry. Now, the focus of the conversation shifts to critiques of religion's interaction with society.  Has religion substituted proper mental healthcare for our elderly? Can the Church provide for the needs of society better than the government?  These questions and more are explored as our guests dive deeper into how...

In this episode, Hamish hosts a diverse group of religious and non-religious guests. The episode centers around exploring how religion guides ethics, whether people should be religious, and a discussion of how religion exists in our current American society. To ground this discussion we have a diverse set of guests: a conservative Christian, a progressive Christian, and an atheist. This episode wa...

Today on the podcast we're talking about the devil of government structures: Fascism.  Joined by German History Prof., Konrad Jarausch, Hamish leads a discussion on the difficulties of defining fascism and identifying its historical causes. In the second half of the episode, we talk about the possibility of fascism returning. Towards the end, Dr. Jarausch argues that the subversive threat of...

With the increased help of the Parr Center, Chapel Phil is excited to announce two new types of episodes:  The first series is titled Arete , (Air-ih-tay) which is Greek for virtue. These episodes will highlight students on campus that demonstrate a particularly noteworthy trait. Nominations will come from staff or other peers. This series is a new way to recognize and give a platform to outs...

In this episode, Hamish and Max Forster, a guest parr center fellow, recorded a special episode with one of our favorite Assistant Philosophy professors at UNC, Dr. Alex Worsnip. The discussion centered on Dr. Worsnip’s research about how people can maintain irrational mental states. In the second half of the episode, they explored how rationality relates to political disagreements and echo chambe...

This episode is a deep dive into the inspiration behind a masterful collection of poems. William Brewer has been touched personally and has taken up a mantle to write for all who have been harmed by the opioid epidemic. Specifically regarding West Virginia, Brewer brings a pointed critique of how the United States can erase states with a "culture of extraction". His lyrical style, amorphous writin...

This is a short outtake from a tangent, which was edited out of our last episode with Geoff Sayre-McCord. Learn who Sina's favorite philosopher is, what he thought about dinner parties, and which sense is the most worthless! This is an exciting, short bit that we are happy to share. 

What is the PPE program? Coming on to talk about the second most popular minor at UNC is the director of the program, Morehead-Cain Distinguished Professor Geoff Sayre-McCord. We discuss Geoff's experiences as the executive director, how he has seen students grow, and what some of his best experiences have been with the program. Plus, outtakes to come!  Citations and Relevant Links Geoffrey S...

In this episode, Sina and Hamish speak with Dr. Hiroaki Matsuura on the efficacy of human rights. Join our conversation on human rights, health, and public policy! Link to published works