Shows
The Philosophers StonedThe Big Rock Candy MountainsIn this episode, we discuss Jordan's first few weeks of fatherhood, and perform a philosophical analyis of Harry McClintock's song "The Big Rock Candy Mountains."
2024-10-2258 minThe Philosophers StonedOther MindsYou know that when you see a rose, it's red. But how do you know it's red for everyone else? Or even worse, how do you know anyone else is conscious at all and not just zombies? In this episode, we attempt to relieve those philosophical fears.
2024-01-2850 minThe Philosophers StonedArticial Intelligence and RelationshipsIn this episode, we discuss AI and its social and ethical implications for human relationships.
2024-01-181h 012024-01-121h 07The Philosophers StonedDarwinismIn this episode, we discuss Darwin's theory of natural selection and how this theory influenced philosophy, politics, and religion.
2023-12-161h 01The Philosophers StonedFolk PhilosophyIn this episode we discuss folk philosophies, such as the the philosophy of "Eat Pray Love,", "Gym Tan Laundry" and Satanism.
2023-12-081h 03The Philosophers StonedConspiraciesIn this episode, we discuss conspiracy theories and Sam's perfect Sunday.
2023-11-231h 05The Philosophers StonedDrugsIn this episode, we snort, smoke, and shoot our way into the world of psychoactive substances.
2023-11-121h 00The Philosophers StonedControversiesIn this episode, we discuss some of the greatest controversies that will never be resolved.
2023-11-031h 002023-10-281h 00The Philosophers StonedOsama bin Laden"Beware that when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.”―Friedrich W. Nietzsche
2023-10-191h 012023-10-0744 minThe Philosophers StonedSportsIn this episode, we discuss sportswashing and the value of sportsmanship.
2023-09-291h 00The Philosophers StonedPublic EducationIn this episode, we force you to adopt our beliefs without critical thinking.
2023-09-2255 minThe Philosophers StonedImmigrationIn this episode, we discuss immigration, when people on one side of a border cross it to live on the other side.
2023-09-1556 min2023-08-3152 minThe Philosophers StonedHolesIn this episode, we talk about some current events and then delve deep into a philosophical discussion about holes. Also, please enjoy 10 bonus minutes at the end.
2023-08-241h 08The Philosophers StonedHappinessIn this episode, we discuss the philosophy of happiness: Is happiness a broad kind of "well-being" including health, career, etc.; or is it a psychological state? Should governments pivot to "happiness-based" policies? And if so, what would those look like? Join us to find out!
2023-08-0351 minThe Philosophers StonedThe Doctrine of Double EffectIn this episode, we critique "The Doctrine of Double Effect," a Medieval philosophical principle first formulated by Thomas Aquinas to justify killing in self defense.
2023-07-2157 minThe Philosophers StonedJohn LockeIn this episode, we discuss the political philosophy of John Locke.
2023-07-1456 minThe Philosophers StonedUFOs and SkepticismIn this episode, we review the famous skeptic David Hume's treatise On Miracles, and apply his arguments about eye-witness testimony to reports of UFOs.
2023-07-0658 minThe Philosophers StonedPhilosophy in the News!In this episode we discuss some current events topics from a philosophical perspective, including the Titan sub, the Wagner-PMC rebellion in Russia, and new developments in the search for Consciousness.
2023-06-2957 minThe Philosophers StonedMemoryIn this episode, we discuss the philosophy of memory. How can we distinguish our memories from "mere imaginings"?
2023-06-1659 minThe Philosophers StonedArtificial IntelligenceIn this episode, we discuss the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence and their impact on philosophy, ethics, and the future of humanity.
2023-05-2658 minThe Philosophers StonedNatural KindsIn this episode, we dive into metaphysics and the philosophy of science to tackle one of philosophy's oldest problems.
2023-05-051h 00The Philosophers StonedEgoism and AristotleIn this episode, we compare Egoism with Aristotle's theory of happiness. Egoism is a collection of psychological and philospohical theories that together say we are ultimately and always motivated by self interest, and additionally that we morally ought to always act in our own self-interest.
2023-04-2754 min2023-04-061h 04The Philosophers StonedThe AfterlifeIn this episode, we discuss the possibility that people might somehow survive the death of their physical bodies.
2023-03-3059 minThe Philosophers StonedDeath's EndIn this episode MAJOR SPOILERS for "The Three Body Problem." We discuss the book's ideas about science, space and time, and the theory of deterrence. We apologize for the technical difficulties in this episode.
2023-03-2356 minThe Philosophers StonedThe Philosophy of Money and FinanceThis is not financial advice. In this episode, we explore several philosphical questions about money, including whether money is "the root of all evil" and whether money is a commodity or a social construct.
2023-03-161h 00The Philosophers StonedHegemonyIn this episode, we discuss the Prison Notebooks of Antonio Gramsci, an Italian revolutionary imprisoned in the 1930s. Gramsci argued that States do not primarily rely on physical force to control their subjects. Instead, States rule with hegemony- they persuade their subjects to consent to being ruled.
2023-03-1159 minThe Philosophers StonedThe Sale of Human OrgansIn this episode, we discuss the Sale of Human Organs. Pro or Con?
2023-03-021h 00The Philosophers StonedEpisode 5 The Dark Forest(Spoilers for The Three Body Problem) In this episode, Sam and Jordan discuss the Fermi Paradox- The universe appears silent and empty. If intelligent alien life exists, where is it? One possible solution to the paradox is the Dark Forest. According to the Dark Forest argument, intelligent alien civilizations exist, but they are hiding . From what? Find out in this chilling episode!
2023-02-171h 02The Philosophers StonedEpisode 4 The RepublicIn this episode, Sam and Jordan conclude the Socrates trilogy with an epic discussion of The Republic.
2023-02-091h 03The Philosophers StonedEpisode 3: CritoIn this episode, Sam and Jordan discuss how Socrates responds to the Athenian court's conviction. Socrates accepts the court's conviction and refuses his wealthy friend's offer of escape. Scholars are divided on why Socrates suddenly shows so much respect for the Law.
2023-02-0158 minThe Philosophers StonedSorry not sorryIn this episode, Sam and Jordan discuss the Trial of Socrates. Circa 399 BCE, Socrates was put on trial for atheism and corrupting the youth of Athens. Socrates delivered one of the greatest non-apologies of all time, and was promptly sentenced to death.
2023-01-2558 minThe Philosophers StonedEP 1: The ReturnWe're back! In the long awaited return of the philosopher-kings, Sam and Jordan recount what happened in their long abscence, and share their predictions for 2023. Tune in next week for Part One of the Trial of Socrates.
2023-01-1954 minThe Philosophers StonedPhilosophy of WarIn this episode, we discuss the philosophy of war. Is war ever justified, and if so, under what conditions?
2022-03-0959 minThe Philosophers StonedWar and BeautyIn this episode, we take some time to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Then, we look at Beauty, a controversial subject in philosophy. Is Beauty subjective or objective? Is "Edge of Tommorow" a better film than "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon?" Find out! Email all queries/comments to TPSpod420@gmail.com.
2022-03-041h 01The Philosophers StonedA Discussion About Social Justice...Part 1?In this episode, we are joined by our second guest ever. He wishes to remain anonymous. We discuss the dilemma of social media and freedom of speech within the context of democracy and social justice. As always, please send your feedback to TPSpod420@gmail.com
2022-02-231h 05The Philosophers StonedPhilosophy and ProtestsIn this epsiode, we revisit the philosophy of protests and how it applies to the recent "Freedom Convoy" protests in Canada, as well as historical "occupation" style protests.
2022-02-1659 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 9: Imagination ft Joel StraussIn this episode we are joined by our first guest. Joel Strauss is a musician based out of Fredericton, New Brunswick (and happens to be Jordan's older brother). We discuss the recent Neil Young/Joe Rogan drama, the protest in Ottawa, and take a philosophical view of Imagination.source: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/imagination/, by Shen-yi Liao and Tamar Gendler
2022-02-021h 01The Philosophers StonedMental ImageryIn this episode, we discuss how modern fMRI technology has revealed startling facts about mental imagery. We discuss how the visual cortex activates in response to mental images, the differences between aphantastics and hyperphantastics, and how involuntary mental imagery plays a role in racial biases. Please send your emails to TPSpod420@gmail.comsource: Source: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Bence Nanay, University of Antwerp
2022-01-1758 minThe Philosophers StonedThe Apocalypse DraftScenario: Earth is faced with a crisis: the planet will soon be destroyed, and the only survivors will be those who can board the Ark ships to journey to Alpha Centauri to settle a brave new world.. The Ark ships can hold 10 million people, but the Earth's population is 8 billion. Many will be left behind. Suppose you are in charge of choosing who gets a spot on the Ark ships. Who will you draft for your Apocalypse fleet? Send your Apocalypse Draft to TPSpod420@gmail.com!
2022-01-1258 minThe Philosophers StonedThe Molyneux ProblemSuppose someone is born blind, and they are taught to distinguish a sphere and a cube by touch. Then, suppose this person's sight is restored, and they are shown a sphere and a cube. Could the person, using sight alone, distinguish the sphere from the cube? That is Molyneux's Problem.
2021-12-2459 minThe Philosophers StonedWalden 2Utopia. Not Fruitopia. BF Skinner imagined a Utopian community called "Walden 2," where people are raised in carefully controlled environments. Walden 2's Planners and Managers would use "behavioural engineering" to eliminate human flaws like greed and violence, allowing human nature to flourish. We discuss his brilliant but flawed Utopian project.
2021-12-1859 minThe Philosophers StonedThe Imitation GameCan computers think or are they just unintelligent mechanisms that do whatever we tell them to? British mathematician Alan Turing, writing in the 1950s, proposed a game, or test, that he claimed would determine whether or not a computer could be considered intelligent. We discuss the Imitation Game and the many objections against it.
2021-12-091h 02The Philosophers StonedGame TheoryIn this episode, we discuss Game Theory. Game Theory is a mathematical way of studying how self-interested, rational agents make decisions. In philosophy, Game Theory has been used to solve an old problem: is it ever in our best interests to act immorally or unjustly?
2021-12-0258 minThe Philosophers Stoned"Dune" and Post-humanismIn this episode, there will be spoilers for "Dune" (2021). Posthumanism is an intellectual movement that argues many of humanity's challenges can be overcome by changing our minds and bodies with technology. The 2021 film "Dune" explores the uncertainty of a posthuman future populated by individuals who are barely recognizeable as human.
2021-11-1857 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 1: Jordan PetersonIn this episode, we discuss He Who Shall Not Be Named (Jordan Peterson). Dr. Jordan Peterson is a professor of psychology and one of the most famous public intellectuals in the world. He is most famous for his opposition to Bill C-16, which made gender identity and expression protected grounds from discrimination. We discuss why the bill has failed to end Western Civilization.
2021-11-1057 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 52: Karl MarxThis is the final episode of Season One of the Philosophers Stoned. Stay tuned for Season Two! In this episode, we discuss the beliefs of one of the most notorious thinkers in history, Karl Marx. In some ways similar to Hegel and Nietzsche, Marx believed that history was dialectical, or a struggle of opposing sides working towards an ultimate outcome. However, unlike Hegel and Nietzsche, Marx predicted that the labour classes, the united workers of the world, would eventually overthrow the elites, and usher in a golden age of Communism. Marx believed that Communism, when successful, would be a...
2021-10-201h 00The Philosophers StonedEpisode 51: The UtilitariansIn the fourth episode on the intellectual climate that preceded the two World Wars, we discuss Utilitarianism. Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) is widely regarded as the founder of Utilitarianism as a social and philosophical program. Bentham was the defacto leader of a group of British intellectuals called the Philosophical Radicals. The Radicals believed that British society needed to be drastically reformed from top to bottom in accordance with the Principle of Utility. All laws, all governments, all institutions of education and media, agriculture, industry, and so on, must conform to a single principle: that the best state of affairs is...
2021-10-0656 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 50: Friedrich Nietzsche In this episode, we discuss the philosophical and theological views of Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche, today recognized as one of the most influential thinkers in history, never achieved fame while he was alive. His books, polemical attacks on Christianity and "slave morality," did not sell. Nietzsche suffered from chronic ill-health, and was an invalid most of his life. In 1889, he went insane and died after a series of strokes. Nietzsche argued that the conventional notions of "good" and "evil" were mistaken, and in fact prevented humankind from evolving. According to Nietzsche, conventional morality cast as evil everything that he believed...
2021-09-2156 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 49: Jean Jacques RousseauWe continue our series on the philosophical and intellectual climate that preceded the two World Wars. In this episode, we discusss Jean Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau is known as the father of 18th century Romanticism. The Romantics sought to liberate human beings from the constraints of conventional morality. Rousseau believed that Science and the Arts had done more harm than good to humanity. He idealized hunter-gatherers, although he himself lived in fancy hotels paid for by his wealthy female patrons. Bertrand Russel said of Rousseau: “…the dictatorships of Russia and Germany are in part an outcome of Rousseau’s teaching. What f...
2021-09-1052 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 48: HegelIn this episode, we begin our series on the philosophical climate that preceded the two World Wars. Today, we discuss the life and work of the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831). Hegel argued that human history progresses according to a process called The Dialectic. At each stage in The Dialectic, one nation is responsible for pushing the world into the next stage of history, by force if necessary. In the 19th century, Hegel believed that this nation was Germany. Hegel argued that Nations were superorganisms, and that individual human beings were insignificant except as organs of the...
2021-09-0353 minThe Philosophers StonedCausation Part 3: The Kant AwakensImmanuel Kant is notorious for being almost impossible to understand, which is the hallmark of a truly great philosopher. Send your comments to TPSpodcast420@gmail.com.
2021-08-2650 minThe Philosophers StonedCausation Part 2: The Hume Strikes BackIsaac Newton's revolutionary theory of physics upended Aristotle's purpose-driven view of causation, and offered a new hope that we could finally obtain genuine scientific knowledge of the universe. But in a cruel twist of fate, a mysterious intellectual named David Hume emerged from the darkness of Scotland and struck at the heart of Newton's rebellion. Hume's arguments seemed to prove that humans could never find rational justification for any claims of scientific knowledge. Human reason, said Hume, was merely a slave to passions and custom.
2021-08-1851 minThe Philosophers StonedCausation Part One: The Phantom AristotleThis is the first episode in a three-part series on the philosophy of causation. In this episode, we discuss Aristotle's views on causation. Aristotle was one of the most influential philosophers of all time, and even served as Royal Tutor to the young Alexander the Great. Aristotle understood causation as a question about why things change. Why does a block of iron become a knife? Why do lions always grow sharp teeth? Aristotle argued that things change to fulfill their proper purpose and function. In Part Two, we will discuss David Hume's challenge to Aristotle, which upended over a...
2021-08-0952 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 44: ArgumentsIn the parlance of our times, an argument means a disagreement, and disagreements are often nothing more than people contradicting each other over and over again, and rarely lead to truth. But in philosophy, an argument means a series of premises that justify a conclusion. For example, Aristotle, who lived over 2000 years ago, invented a deductively valid argument known as a syllogism, which we still use today: P1: All humans are mortal.P2: You are a human.C: Therefore, you are mortal.This argument is valid because if the premises are...
2021-08-0257 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 43: George BerkeleyIf a tree falls in a forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? George Berkeley would say that if a tree falls in a forest, and no one perceives the tree, then the tree didn't even exist in the first place. Berkeley is often known as the father of Idealism. Berkeley believed that there is no such thing as physical matter. All that exists, according to Berkely, are ideas. In this episode, we discuss Berkeley's surprisingly powerful arguments in defense of Idealism. As always, send your emails to TPSpodcast420@gmail.com. (previously...
2021-07-2755 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 42: ZombiesIn philosophy, zombies are beings that are exactly like human beings in every single way except one. A philosophical zombie might talk about how great the coffee is, they might drive to work and answer the phone, they might go home and walk the dog. However, philosophical zombies lack one thing: consciousness. If it is possible that a being could be physically identical to a conscious human and yet lack consciousness, then consciousness must involve something more than physical matter. We discuss the zombie argument and some of its problems.
2021-07-2049 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 41: The Categorical ImperativeIn this episode, we discuss Immanuel Kant's famous "Categorical Imperative." An imperative is a command- you ought to do such and such. Kant argues there are two kinds of Imperatives: Hypothetical imperatives and Categorical imperatives. A hypothetical imperative is something you should do if you have a particular goal in mind: for example, if you want to lose weight, you should exercise and eat healthy. Categorical imperatives, on the other hand, are things you should do regardless of your particular desires or goals. So, what is the categorical imperative?
2021-07-0658 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 40: NothingIn this perplexing episode, we discuss why there is something rather than nothing. Quantum physics says that there is something rather than nothing because the quantum energy field naturally fluctuates from potentiality to actuality. But philosophers-of-nothing persist: why is there is a quantum energy field at all? This question seems like an impossible riddle. However, as Ludwig Wittgenstein argued, a riddle without an answer is not really a riddle. If a question can't be answered, then either there is something wrong with the question, or the answer lies beyond the capacity of our language to express. Can "nothing" be?
2021-07-0157 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 39: Q and AIn this episode we respond to questions from listeners about a variety of topics. We couldn't answer every question this week, but we will get through them all eventually. If you want your question read on the podcast, email TPSpodcast420@gmail.com.
2021-06-2459 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 38: AnarchyIn this episode, we discuss philosophical Anarchism. Anarchy means the absence of government authority. Anarchists come in many forms, but Anarchy does not necessarily mean moral nihilism and chaos. As Alan Moore writes in V for Vendetta: "Anarchy means 'without leaders,' not 'without order.'" The essence of anarchy as a political ideal is that human beings can be sufficiently rational and autonomous to rule themselves. However, as long as the State exerts paternalistic authority over us, human beings can never achieve their true potential. Therefore, all human beings have a moral obligation to overthrow the State. Send...
2021-06-1554 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 36: LeviathanSocial Contract Theory is a theory that the State's legitimate and justified authority over the individual is based on a mutual agreement between the individual and the State. In theory, we agree to give up certain rights (e.g. the right to steal your neighbor's cows) and in exchange, the State protects our other rights (e.g. the right to private property). Thomas Hobbes was one of the earliest proponents of Social Contract Theory. Writing in the bloody aftermath of the English Civil War, Hobbes argued that the State's authority is only justified if it can maintain peace and...
2021-06-0958 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 35: BehaviourismThe question of "Nurture vs Nature" to explain human behaviour has long interested psychologists and philosophers. Behaviourists believed the answer was definitely "Nurture"- everything about our behaviour can explained in terms of our environment. The most radical behaviourists believed that everything about human behaviour could be explained by studying rats in mazes. Today, however, behaviourism is a defunct research project. We discuss why behaviourism rose to dominate the field, and why its influence has faded. Send all questions to TPSpod420@gmail.com.
2021-05-3155 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 34: What Happened To Kill Tony?In this episode, we take a break from philosophy and discuss recent events from stand-up comedy. Tony Hinchcliffe is a stand-up comedian who has hosted the live show/podcast Kill Tony for many years. Kill Tony is a lottery show where anyone can put their name in a hat for a chance to perform 60 seconds of material in front of a live audience. After the set, Tony and a guest offer critiques. The guests often include the most famous comedians in the world, such as Russell Peters and Bill Burr. Last week Tony was dropped by his talent agency...
2021-05-2457 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 33: Philosophy of SportsIn this episode we discuss a range of topics, from the Mayan Ball Game, to the essential characteristics of sports, to the controversial topic of transgender athletes. Sports have traditionally been segregated based on sex: men's leagues and women's leagues. However, transgender athletes have challenged the efficacy of sex segregation. Is it time for a new way to form sports leagues, perhaps based on other factors besides sex? As always, email your thoughts and questions to TPSpod420@gmail.com.
2021-05-171h 02The Philosophers StonedEpisode 32: The Future of ClassicsIn this episode, we discuss the work of Domincan-born philosopher Dan-el Padilla Peralta, currently Associate Professor of Classics at Princeton University. "Classics" is the study of ancient Greece and Rome, including their languages and philosophy. Peralta argues that the future of classics is in jeopardy, because these ancient societies fully embraced slavery. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle argued that slavery and racial supremacy are morally acceptable because they are part of the "natural order." Pro-slavery politicians like Thomas Jefferson appealed to these arguments in the United States, and these arguments remain popular with white supremacists to this day. What...
2021-05-1054 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 31: Evolution and MoralityMany animals appear to have the capacity for moral behavior- altruism and kinship exists in many species, not just humans. This suggests that much of our moral behavior was selected for by evolutionary processes. Some biologists have concluded that ethics is now in the province of evolutionary biology, not philosophy. Are moral philosophers out of a job? Are the Philosophers Stoned on EI? Find out in this surprising episode! Send all queries and cash donations to the TPSpodcast420@gmail.com
2021-05-0556 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 30: The Empty Man [SPOILERS]In this episode, we philosophically review the 2020 horror film, "The Empty Man." There will be spoilers, so we recommend that you watch the movie first, then listen to the review. The Empty Man is an alien entity that promotes a philosophy of murderous nihilism, and is the very epitome of Nietzsche's infamous warning, "If you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you." This film is pure horror-philosophy, so definitely check it out!
2021-04-2557 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 29: Alien PhilosophyIn this episode, we discuss a paper by Canadian philosopher and fantasy novelist R. Scott Bakker. In his paper, "On Alien Philosophy," Bakker argues that the evolutionary forces that caused Earth species to develop intelligence and philosophy could likely cause alien species to develop their own intelligence and philosophy. And, like us, their philosophers, "Martian Socrates" or "Little Green Nietzsche," would struggle to answer questions about the external world, and themselves. Bakker argues that to truly understand ourselves, we must see ourselves in the light of Alien Philosophy.
2021-04-1500 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 28: Socrates v Jesus v Buddha: Triple Death Match!In this episode, we join the hosts of the Bible Beaters Podcast, Caleb Campbell and Kyle Vestner, for a stimulating menage a quatre to compare and contrast three revolutionary thinkers: Did you know Jesus, Socrates, and Buddha all wore the same brand of sandals (Adidas)? And none of them ever had a real job? Did you know Jesus and Socrates were both so annoying they were sentenced to death? And that Buddha originally wrote "I Am the Walrus" as a poem about reincarnation? Tune in for more Truth!
2021-04-021h 17The Philosophers StonedEpisode 27: Dao, All The Way DaonThis week we struggle to comprehend the ancient Chinese philosophy of Daoism. Daoism is believed to have originated with the mystical sage Laozi, or "Old Philosopher." Dao means, "way" or "path." The way you do everything- the philosophy you live by. your morning routine, the way you walk down the street- is your dao. Dao is for humans as water is for fish- Zhuangzi. Even the act of choosing between daos is itself a dao- a dao of choosing. You can dao a dao. "Dao that can be dao-ed is not constant dao,"- Laozi. Confused yet?
2021-03-2557 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 26: The StoicsIn this episode we examine the ancient philosophy of Stoicism. The Stoics denounced all passions and were terrible guests at orgies. We delve deep into the Stoic's theory about the origins of the universe, which involves divine sperm and an endless cycle of Conflagrations, and we also examine their theory of knowledge, ethics, and emotion. Finally, we respond to an email about whether Jordan is actually a simulation!
2021-03-1856 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 25: Epicurus, "Epically Curious" In this episode we begin responding to a listener question about Epicurus, Stoics, and Taoists. Epicurus was a philosopher from Ancient Greece who developed a unified theory of particle physics, consciousness, human social evolution, language and psychology. He was also a flat-Earther but we'll forgive it just this once ;) Please send your questions, comments, hate-mail, death threats, LSD and CA$H donations to TPSpodcast420@gmail.com
2021-03-0856 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 24: Animal RightsIn this episode, we discuss the concepts of speciesism and the moral consideration of animals under utilitarianism and the philosophy of animal rights. Shoutout to Matt Pusch for his heroic editing of this trainwreck of an episode.
2021-03-0457 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 23: Possible WorldsIn this episode, Sam and Jordan follow their tradition of discussing some random nonsense and then digging into a deep philosophical topic. This week it's possible worlds. Some philosophers, like some physicists, believe in a multiverse of "parallel universes" or "possible worlds." But philosopher David Lewis didn't need any fancy telescopes to develop his theory; all he had to do was sit in a comfortable armchair, stroke his beard, and ask questions like, "Am I Batman in another possible world?" Well, maybe he didn't ask that question. But WE do!
2021-02-231h 01The Philosophers StonedEpisode 22: The Sophists, Rhetoric, and Weaponized PersuasionIn this episode, we respond to a listener question about the Sophists of Ancient Greece. Gorgias (AKA Lil Gorgeous) claimed that he did not teach the art of living well, but rather the art of persuasion. Persuasion is value-neutral- the artful persuader can lead people to a life of virtue and knowledge, but they could also lead people into vice and ignorance. How should we deal with weaponized persuasion in the age of deep fakes and the internet?
2021-02-1655 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 21: Moral Dilemmas of Colonizing SpaceIn this episode, Sam and Jordan discuss Agent Smith's theory about humans from "The Matrix." and the moral dilemmas that arise when considering whether to colonize other worlds or make a sustainable home on Earth. Also, an interesting listener email about Rhetoric and the Sophists of Ancient Greece.
2021-02-0856 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 20: Working in a Brewery and Toxic Masculinity Jordan discusses the trials and tribulations of working at a Willy-Wonka-esque brewery. Then, the boys dig deep into the mailbag to answer your questions, including a question on Toxic Masculinity. Disclaimer: This episode is fraught with technical difficulties. Please consider this an "optional" episode.
2021-01-2658 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 19: Philosophy of ProtestIn this episode, we discuss the philosophy and ethical justification of civil disobedience, radical protest, and revolution. Whereas civil disobedience involves peacefully breaking the law, radical protest and revolution involve violence, terror, and militant action. Sometimes radical protest is justified; other times, it is not. We discuss Ghandi's peaceful revolution in India, Mohammed Ali and Rosa Parks' civil disobedience, the late Nelson Mandela, CHAZ, and the recent violent attack on the U.S. Capitol building.
2021-01-151h 02The Philosophers StonedEpisode 18: Ethics of Vaccine Distribution We kick off the New Year with a response to a listener email! We discuss utilitarian and egalitarian approaches to vaccine distribution, and the ethics of allocating scarce medical resources at both the international and national levels. Neither a pure cost-benefit analysis nor a pure egalitarian approach is satisfactory, so the debate focuses on carving out a middle ground that is both ethically and medically sound. Bonus discussion of President Trump's perfectly legal and very cool phone call!
2021-01-051h 03The Philosophers StonedEpisode 17: EvilIn this episode, Sam and Jordan discuss the concept of evil. Throughout history, "evil" has been used to describe people, events, and practices that seem beyond merely "bad." Sometimes, however, the punishment of "evil" is used to justify atrocities, like the Salem witch trials. Is "evil" really a useful concept for understanding human nature?
2020-12-311h 07The Philosophers StonedEpisode 16: Weakness of the WillPhilosophers have long believed that people act according to their better judgment. Given the choice between A and B, people will choose the best course of action to achieve their goal. And yet...sometimes we act against our better judgment. I know I should eat a salad and go for a run, but instead I buy a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of vodka. What is going on?
2020-12-231h 00The Philosophers StonedEpisode 15: Population Ethics and The Repugnant ConclusionShould people continue to procreate and have children, or is it time for the human race to voluntarily extinguish itself to save future generations from needless suffering? Also, who should Jake Paul really fight? Find out in this festive, pre-Christmas episode!
2020-12-091h 05The Philosophers StonedEpisode 14: The Anals of TimeIn this episode, our hosts grapple with the philosophy of time. Is time actually money?Can there be time without change? Will Jordan's brain explode as he struggles to understand these paradoxes? Find out in this magnificent episode! Also, tremendous shoutout to Matthew Pusch (Insta: mpusch88) for mastering our audio.
2020-11-271h 01The Philosophers StonedThe Wit and Wisdom of Napoleon BonaparteEmperor of France, King of Italy, Scourge of Europe, and Lover of Stinky Women. In this episode, your hosts discuss the life, achievements, and philosophy of history's greatest Frenchman: Napoleon Bonaparte. A ruthless, pragmatic strategist whose ambition knew no bounds...
2020-11-201h 00The Philosophers StonedEpisode 12: Life, Wittgenstein, and "My Octopus Teacher"In this episode, our hosts grapple with the nature of life and games- is life the ultimate game? Is there anything that all games have in common? Can these philosophical questions ever be answered or are we hampered by the shortcomings of language? Also, the boys discuss the film "My Octopus Teacher."
2020-11-111h 04The Philosophers StonedEpisode 11: Election Night SpecialOn this special episode, we discuss the ongoing election results, problems with democracy, cartoons in France, and the inevitable world domination of predatory snails.
2020-11-041h 05The Philosophers StonedEpisode 10: From Kant to KanyeIn the much anticipated 10th episode, we confront a treacherous dilemma: Should you care about other people, or should you screw everyone else over whenever you can get away with it? From Kant to Kanye, we consider how different philosophers* would solve the problem,
2020-10-2158 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 9: How (not) To Be BatmanIn this episode, we discuss Jordan's slow descent into madness, how pain and suffering are just opportunities waiting to be exploited, the myriad of differences between Batman and white nationalist vigilantes, and finally the moral value of animals.
2020-10-131h 00The Philosophers StonedEpisode 8: The Experience MachineIn 1974, Robert Nozick proposed a virtual reality machine that would allow a person to experience a life of their choosing. Whatever scenario you want, the machine will let you experience it with all your senses. The only caveat is that after you go in, you can never leave, and you won't know it's a simulation. Should you go in? Find out in this episode!
2020-10-0759 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 7: And Justice For All!Holy bong rips Batman! In this episode you get what you fucking deserve, Murray. And you don't get what you don't fucking deserve. That's right, it's all about JUSTICE this week. From Hammurabi to John Rawls, step inside our hot boxed time machine for a journey through JUSTICE.
2020-09-231h 03The Philosophers StonedEpisode 6: Personal IdentitySince the dawn of time, human beings have asked the same question: If a surgeon slices your brain in half and puts one half in one robot body and puts the other half in a different robot body, and both halves have all your memories, beliefs, and personality, which one is you?
2020-09-191h 01The Philosophers StonedEpisode 5: Magic Mushrooms and Deep EcologyWhooooa dude! In this episode Sam eats magic mushrooms and teaches Jordan about deep ecology, the theory that nature itself has objective moral value and we're all part of one big holistic system thing man!
2020-09-1557 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 4: Descartes C'est Un Jerk! (with Andrew Crone)Sam and Jordan are joined by the great comedian Andrew Crone to discuss philosophy of mind, consciousness, and why Descartes is a douche!
2020-09-0959 minThe Philosophers StonedEpisode 3: Flat EarthIn this bamboozling episode, Jordan and Sam discuss the philosophy of the Flat Earth movement and compare it to ancient philosophical skepticism.
2020-09-091h 01The Philosophers StonedEpisode One: St. Thomas A-Quaint-AssIn this miraculous first episode, our holy hosts discuss the nearly sinless life of Catholicisms' number one big brain of all time, St. Thomas Aquinas.
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