Shows
Patterson in PursuitEp. 102 - Scientific Progress and Intellectual Schelling Points | Dr. Geoff Anders What does scientific progress look like? Is it steady progress, getting ever closer to the truth? Or does it go through waves? What about cases where we seem to have lost knowledge or the foundations of a theory we’ve been building on turned out to be wrong? Can that still be useful? Is that still progress? These are some of the questions I explore with Dr. Geoff Anders. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2020-04-191h 50
Patterson in PursuitCritical Thinking | Zooming In and Zooming OutA critical thinker must have the ability to zoom in and zoom out - to hyper-focus on cause and effect and to see how things interconnect in the big picture. It's a common and critical error to be too-zoomed-in or too-zoomed-out. The over-focused mind is like the mathematician who doesn't realize the assumptions of his model are non-mathematical and likely wrong. The under-focused mind is like the mushroom-enthusiast that's content concluding "All is one", with no finer-resolution of analysis. The careful thinker must be constantly zooming in and zooming out, gathering ideas from...2020-03-3108 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 101- Is a Ruling Class Inevitable? | Samo BurjaLibertarians like myself tend to focus on the abuse of power hierarchies. The existence of a "ruling class" makes most of us uneasy. However, might these sociological structures serve a valuable purpose? Are they inevitable parts of human society? Samo Burja joins me to discuss. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2020-03-081h 19
Patterson in PursuitComing Around to PlatonismFor years, I've been making anti-Platonist arguments. Now, I think I was wrong. The universe seems to be composed of both concrete and abstract stuff. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2020-01-1026 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 100 - Trying to Solve Philosophy | Patterson in PursuitEpisode 100 of Patterson in Pursuit! Wow, what a milestone. Thanks to everybody who has listened to and supported the show. I hope it's created value for you. In this episode, I share my personal thoughts about the show, some of my motivations, the conversations that were impactful to my own philosophy, and some funny experiences along the way. And of course, more heretical thoughts about the philosophy of mathematics. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2019-11-1945 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 99 - Non-Rationality and Psychedelics | Dr. Bernardo KastrupDo logic and rationality have limits? Are there ways to "get outside" of rational thinking? Do altered states caused by psychedelics provide true insight about the world, or are they illusory? These are the questions I discuss with Dr. Bernardo Kastrup, who shares some of his personal experiments and insights gained psychedelic drugs. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2019-09-081h 02
Patterson in PursuitEp. 98 - "A Consciousness-Only Ontology" | Dr. Bernardo KastrupIs everything ultimately mental? Do we need a theory of a physical world at all? Dr. Bernardo Kastrup joins me again to talk about idealism. This time, we go into great detail, both put our ideas to the test, and the result was one of my favorite interviews ever. I end up asking Bernardo some of the most difficult questions in philosophy. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2019-09-011h 39
Patterson in PursuitUnderstanding God as Nature or the UniverseFinally, after investigating for more than 20 years, I have a concept of God I can rationally grasp. The idea is one of the oldest in existence, and it turns baroque theological claims into true and important insights. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2019-08-2226 min
Patterson in PursuitSolving the Interaction ProblemDualism is an attractive philosophy with an Achilles' heel. Dualists since Descartes have never given a good answer to the problem of interaction. Finally, I think I've got one. I have a working resolution to the problem of interaction that I call a theory of indirect interaction, which allows effective interaction between objects in different ontological categories. Original article here: http://steve-patterson.com/mind-body-dualism-solving-problem-interaction/ Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2019-08-0225 min
Patterson in PursuitThere Are No Objective DefinitionsLots of confusion is caused by the nature of language. This is a narration of the article "There Are No Objective Definitions", which you can read here: http://steve-patterson.com/there-are-no-objective-definitions/ Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2019-05-2015 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 97 - Math Heresy: Ultrafinitism | Dr. Doron ZeilbergerDr. Doron Zeilberger is the Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at Rutgers University. He's also a math heretic who thoroughly rejects the orthodox conceptions of infinity in modern mathematics. So we got along quite well. We had a fantastic conversation covering a wide range of topics, including set theory, calculus and limits, pi, irrational numbers like the square root of two, real analysis, and Godel's Incompleteness Theorems. If you're interested in the philosophy of mathematics, this is a must-listen. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2019-04-2157 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 96 - Truth and Postmodernism | Breakdown of Thaddeus Russell InterviewThe most requested interview breakdown ever - my conversation with Thaddeus Russell about the postmodern theory of truth. Fun episode! Can we know that experience is happening? If somebody denies that they know, is it possible to convince them? Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2019-04-071h 45
Patterson in PursuitEp. 95 - The Highest IQ in America | Christopher LanganChristopher Langan is an independent intellectual known for having the highest IQ in America - somewhere around 200, which is six standard deviations above the norm. His story is fascinating. Chris is not working within the academy. Instead, he's splitting his time between ranching and philosophizing. We spoke about a wide range of topics, including the problems of modern academia, the concept of IQ, and his attempt at a Theory of Everything entitled "The Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe" - or the "CTMU". You can find more information about the CTMU at: ...2019-03-241h 11
Patterson in PursuitEp. 94 - A Satoshi Nakamoto Story | Phil "Scronty" WilsonWho is Satoshi Nakamoto? If you've been in the Bitcoin world for a while, you know that's the last question you should try to answer. However, I've recently come across a story that I find quite plausible, written by Phil Wilson (aka Scronty). Phil documents the thinking-process behind the Bitcoin invention, in addition to providing many historical details around the creation of Bitcoin. His story also explains the perplexing existence of Craig Wright. It's the only narrative that implies Craig is both a) Part of the Satoshi team, and b) largely fraudulent, at the same...2018-09-027h 14
Patterson in PursuitEp. 93 - Abortion, Natural Rights, and Evictionism | Dr. Walter BlockMy conversation with Dr. Walter Block about abortion and natural rights, which is one of the trickiest issues in any political philosophy, libertarianism included. He's the creator of a theory called "evictionism," which tries to take a middle ground between pro-life and pro-choice positions. In my analysis, it's a reasonable compromise. I cannot think of any principled objections from the pro-choice side, and though a pro-lifer might have objections, the core of Block's argument is pro-life at heart and in the long run could result in the universal protection of pre-birth humans. Get full...2018-06-2958 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 92 - 6 Years of Mystery Illness: When Western Medicine FailsJulia and I have been dealing with a mystery illness for more than six years. It's progressively gotten worse, but finally, after seeing more than 50 doctors in multiple states and countries, we're finding answers. Our story is not unique. There are millions of people suffering with unknown illness who get misdiagnosed or dismissed by their doctors. Too often, when a conventional doctor does not understand your sickness, they conclude one of two things: it's either in your head, or you're making up the symptoms outright. This is an arrogant and irrational method of thinking. The medical world...2018-06-171h 57
Patterson in PursuitEp. 91 - Tom Woods on Catholicism, Papal Authority, and Intellectual Entrepreneurship | Dr. Thomas WoodsTom Woods joins me for a great discussion about Catholicism, papal authority, and his story of becoming an independent intellectual entrepreneur. Was the Catholic Church really an anti-intellectual, anti-science organization throughout history, or is that simply a myth? Does the truth stand apart from what the Pope declares? Can the Pope be wrong? These questions and lots more. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-06-101h 08
Patterson in PursuitThe Abuse of Apriorism in EconomicsThe purpose of this article is to point out where my fellow rationalists are being dogmatic, in particular, with regard to Austrian Economics. Philosophers like Hans-Hermann Hoppe tend to drop the "ceteris paribus" condition, turning true-but-neutered claims into false-and-dogmatic ones. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-05-3121 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 90 - The Overwhelming Beauty of Free Markets | Jeffrey TuckerThis week's interview is with Jeff Tucker. We're talking about how capitalism fits into the bigger picture. Libertarians tend to assume that everybody values the creation of wealth, and therefore free markets are important. But why make this assumption? Perhaps free markets create wealth at the cost of personal or spiritual impoverishment. What to think about this objection? We also address the staggering beauty and complexity of free markets, illustrated in proper Jeff Tucker style: by telling the romantic story of tuna fish in a vending machine. Get full access to Steve P...2018-05-2752 min
Patterson in PursuitDoes Free Will Even Make Sense?Few things are as intuitively obvious, yet philosophically challenging, as the existence of free will. There’s a fashionable critique of free will that says, “The very concept of free will is incoherent; therefore, it obviously doesn’t exist.” This article does not make the case for or against the existence of free will. Instead, it defends its conceptual coherence. Free will is not a nonsensical idea, and it might exist. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-05-2418 min
Patterson in PursuitThe Crucifixion: A Unification of Love and HateThis article was inspired by a life-size replica of the crucifixion within a church in Bergen, Norway. The church service was pointless, but the replica sparked some valuable thoughts about love and hate. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-05-1707 min
Patterson in PursuitHow the Rubik's Cube Solves Any ParadoxThis narrated article is about using the Rubik's Cube as an analogy for philosophic paradoxes and problem-solving. There are no unsolvable scrambles... Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-05-1313 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 89 - Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of Its Parts? | Dr. Andrew BrennerIs a “whole” really something greater than the sum of its parts? Or, is a “whole” identical to the sum of its parts? Dr. Andrew Brenner joins me for a fun conversation about mereology - the study of parts and wholes. While it might seem like an esoteric topic, it’s actually central to metaphysics, and the conclusions have implications on things as varied as the philosophy of mind, personal identity, and even the philosophy of mathematics and geometry. Both Dr. Brenner and I agreed in this episode: the only things that exist are simple substances. There aren’t actually any composite...2018-05-0654 min
Patterson in PursuitDefending Zeno's ParadoxZeno's paradoxes are some of the most famous. Most modern philosophers simply dismiss them as "resolved" because of calculus. However, that's a logical mistake. Calculus actually does not resolve Zeno's paradoxes. What resolves them is a base-unit of physical reality. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-05-0314 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 88 - Watch Out for Bitcoin Cash | Ryan X. CharlesI am joined again by Ryan Charles to discuss the current state of the Bitcoin Cash network. After the failure of the Segwit2x proposal to scale Bitcoin, a significant percentage of early adopters have moved onto the Bitcoin Cash network, and progress is happening fast. In fact, as of this interview, I've decided to only support Bitcoin Cash addresses for my work, and I've decided to write my next book on Bitcoin, called "The First Fork: From Bitcoin to Bitcoin Cash." Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-04-291h 31
Patterson in PursuitHow Progressives Can Fix the EconomyThis is a narrated article from the 2016 campaign season. I was inspired by the rhetoric of Bernie Sanders to create some satire... Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-04-2606 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 87 - Race and Colorblindness: Part II | T.K. ColemanImagine it's the late evening in Atlanta, and a small white woman is walking to her car in a parking lot. A black man she didn't see before walks up behind her. She gets nervous and feels like she might be in danger. She holds onto her purse a little more tightly. Is this a clear case of racism? Is it simply rational behavior? If it's racism, is it a moral problem? TK Coleman joins me to discuss these types of situations in Part Two of our conversation on race and colorblindness. Is it really p...2018-04-222h 01
Patterson in PursuitGay Marriage and the Absurdity of CourtsThis is a narration of an article I wrote when the US Supreme Court made their famous ruling on gay marriage. When you step back and view the big picture, the whole situation is bizarre. Humans, themselves, are bizarre, as are their political structures. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-04-1913 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 86 - Race and Colorblindness: Part I | TK ColemanTK Coleman joins me for another excellent conversation about race. This week, we focus on the concept of "colorblindness." Is it possible to be colorblind, or is that naive? Can we recognize differences among groups, while still judging every individual according to their own character? Is white supremacism a fundamental feature of white people's minds - so much, that they cannot spot it within themselves? Is the reason that so many people deny being racist is because of a lack of self-awareness? We cover these questions - and many more - in the...2018-04-161h 45
Patterson in PursuitThe Profundity of PokerPoker can teach us something profound about philosophy. Specifically, it can teach us about the relationship between theory and data, knowledge and experience, and the ancient debate between rationalists and empiricists. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-04-0813 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 85 - College Isn't for Education | Dr. Bryan CaplanThis week I’m joined by Dr. Bryan Caplan to discuss his new book, “The Case Against Education.” We cover the signaling model of education, whether college is always a good idea, and we got into an interesting conversation about doing interdisciplinary work - something very relevant to my own project. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-04-0258 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 84 - When Logic Met Math | Dr. Graham PriestThis is Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Graham Priest. We talk about the history of logic and the great revisions that took place around the turn of the 20th century. When logic met math, both disciplines changed, for better or worse. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-03-2528 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 83 - Logic, Contradictions, and the Liar Paradox | Dr. Graham PriestMy conversation with Dr. Graham Priest, who is best known for his defense of dialetheism - the idea that some contradictions are true. We talk about logic, metaphysics, the relationship between the two, and focus on the liar's paradox in particular. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-03-181h 22
Patterson in PursuitEp. 82 - Do Entities Exist? | Breakdown of Chalmers InterviewThis is my breakdown of David Chalmers' interview on the Closer to Truth Series - about metaphysics and ontology. Are there entities in the world, or is there just stuff? Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0QPWQR5f9Q Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-03-1130 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 81 - The Ethics of Eating Meat | Dr. Mike HuemerIf animals can suffer, does that make it immoral to eat meat? I'm joined again by Dr. Mike Huemer to help me answer this question. He has recently released a series of four dialogues on the topic, which address many of the issues we talk about in this episode. Also covered: free will, empathy, and whether the nutritional value of meat changes our ethical judgments. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-03-041h 07
Patterson in PursuitEp. 80 - A Debate about Truth and Postmodernism | Thaddeus RussellDoes objective truth exist? Thaddeus Russell joins me for part two of our discussion about postmodernism. In this episode, we focus on the philosophy of truth. Can we know anything about the world? Can we know anything about our minds? Are the laws of logic objective or just a convention of language? Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-02-251h 10
Patterson in PursuitEp. 79 - Postmodernism, Marxism, Love, and Religion | Thaddeus RussellI am joined by Dr. Thaddeus Russell to talk about postmodernism. With the popularity of people like Jordan Peterson, who vocally criticize postmodernism, Thaddeus thinks most of the criticism is misplaced. We also have a great conversation about love, religion, and people's motivation for their actions. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-02-181h 03
Patterson in PursuitEp. 78 - The Case for Idealism | Dr. Bernardo KastrupSeason 2 is here! The show starts up again with a fantastic interview with Dr. Bernardo Kastrup about idealism. I've spent a lot of time arguing against physicalism and for a kind of "reluctant dualist" worldview, but I've not explained my position on idealism. So, I brought Dr. Kastrup on the show to give his case that only mental stuff exists. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2018-02-1159 min
Patterson in PursuitTime for Writing and HealthI need to take a break from Patterson in Pursuit to focus on health and writing. I can't wait to return. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-10-0804 min
Patterson in PursuitThe Puzzle of AwarenessConsciousness is a hard phenomenon to explain in any worldview. We seem to be able to intentionally change the content of our experience. How is that possible? Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-10-0505 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 77 - Why I Support Catalonia's SecessionWho determines whether an individual or group has the right to govern themselves? At what point does secession become legitimate? How many people need to get together in order to secede? I try to tackle some of these questions while giving my perspective on the imminent Catalonia independence referendum. I am unabashedly in favor of secession - all the way down to the individual. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-10-0124 min
Patterson in PursuitDon't Fight for Objective DefinitionsLanguage is ambiguous. If you want to communicate effectively, you must understand that different people have different meanings for the same words. Far too many rationalists waste their time arguing for objective definitions, instead of stating their intended meaning for words. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-09-2808 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 76 - Metaphysical Questions, Objectivist Answers | Dr. David KelleyCan the whole be greater than the sum of its parts? Does consciousness require that we split the world between mind and body? Can free will exist in a naturalistic worldview? Dr. David Kelley joins me on this episode to give his Objectivist perspective on these questions. As Dr. Kelley explains, many ideas in Objectivism are heavily influenced by Aristotelian thinking. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-09-2457 min
Patterson in PursuitThe Fashionable ThinkersMany thinkers are more concern with how their ideas look, rather than how accurate they are. They want to appear intelligent, rather than have true beliefs. I call them the "fashionable thinkers," and this is my rant against them. I've noticed many common traits among fashionable thinkers. Have you? Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-09-2114 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 75 - Do We Perceive Reality? | Dr. Donald HoffmanDo we see reality as it is? Or, are we stuck inside our own mental representations of the world? My guest this week is Dr. Donald Hoffman, who believes that there's a 0% chance that we accurately perceive the world. He believes that mental phenomena - consciousness, experience, qualia - is the real stuff that makes up the world, not physical objects. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-09-171h 06
Patterson in PursuitHow to Deal with Alien Abductions and Bigfoot SightingsIt's tempting to dismiss anybody who claims they've been abducted by aliens or seen Bigfoot in the forest. However, simple dismissal might not be the most rational response. Extreme cases can actually help us understand the relationship between the mind and the world? What exactly do these people see/experience, and how can we know? Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-09-1409 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 74 - Race and American Politics | T.K. ColemanPart four of my conversation about race with TK Coleman. In this episode, we talk about the intersection of race, politics, and economics in America. It's impossible to understand how the world works without understanding economics, and once you grasp the fundamentals, economics will change your worldview - especially your political theory. TK understands economics and has a political solution that everybody should be able to agree on. We don't have to argue about the extent of racism anymore; we can agree on a solution, regardless of the severity of the problem. ...2017-09-101h 19
Patterson in PursuitUnifying the Plural into the SimpleIs the world composed of one thing or many things? Some thinkers believe that the universe is one object that our minds chop up into many pieces. I believe that the universe is many objects that our minds unify into one whole. It might seem abstract, but regardless of your conclusion, it's got big implications. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-09-0706 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 73 - Race, Culture, and Judgments | T.K. ColemanIs it racist to notice cultural differences among groups? Can we make judgments about those differences? Without a doubt, race is one of the most taboo subjects to talk about in America. To help me grapple with these sticky questions, I'm talking with T.K. Coleman. We spoke in episodes 40 and 41 about race relations, and we continue the conversation today. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-09-031h 30
Patterson in PursuitEp. 72 - The Real Story Behind Bitcoin Cash | Ryan X. CharlesThis is the craziest time in Bitcoin's history, and it's mired in confusion and misinformation. To help give some context, I'm joined by a long time Bitcoiner and entrepreneur Ryan X. Charles, who is the CEO and co-founder of Yours. He breaks down some of the facts and history surrounding the network split and creation of Bitcoin Cash. If you're interested in Bitcoin at all, you'll want to listen to this episode. If you appreciate the content and want to donate Bitcoin or Bitcoin Cash, you can use this address: 1A3oPBkXU156c3N...2017-08-271h 00
Patterson in PursuitEp. 71 - Meditation and the Absence of Self | Oren J. SoferIn this episode, I'm joined by Oren Sofer to talk about meditation and philosophy. We start by laying out the basics of meditation - what's going on, internally and externally - and then we get into some of the deeper questions in metaphysics like: "What is the mind?","What is the self?", "Do observations require an observer?" Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-08-201h 03
Patterson in PursuitEp. 70 - Should Feminism and Philosophy Mix? | Interview BreakdownHow well-justified are the insights of feminist philosophy? What is the metaphysical status of the patriarchy? Is there such a thing as a "biological difference" between men and women? This is my interview breakdown of Episode 51 - my conversation with Dr. Michelle Boulous-Walker of the University of Queensland. Let's just say: we disagree. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-08-141h 26
Patterson in PursuitEp. 69 - Hegel and Paradox | Dr. Donald VereneHegel is famous for being a difficult and controversial philosopher. His work comes up often in my conversations about paradox and contradiction - from those who argue that paradoxes can exist in the world. Or, even more strongly, from those argue that "the world is paradoxical." I don't know much about Hegel, so I've traveled to Atlanta to interview Dr. Donald Verene of Emory University, who specializes in Hegelian philosophy. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-08-0658 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 68 - Corruption in the Silk Road Case | Lyn UlbrichtThe Silk Road case is filled to the brim with corruption, and the media has done a terrible job getting the facts out. Ross Ulbricht has been painted as a vicious kingpin, when in fact, he has no violence in his background, nor has he been charged with any violent crimes. New evidence keeps emerging that demonstrate Ross has been abused by the American legal system. My guest, Lyn Ulbricht, is the mother of Ross, and she shares some of this new evidence in our conversation. If you want to learn more about the case...2017-07-3050 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 67 - Catholicism, the Church, and Faith | Fr. Oscar MartinMy conversation with Oscar Martin, a Catholic priest in Panama City, Panama. We cover many topics - the church, the sacraments, faith, love, hierarchy, and community. I don't know much about Catholicism, so this is my attempt to try to discover some of the basics. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-07-231h 01
Patterson in PursuitEp. 66 - Ethics, Capitalism, the Meaning of Life, and Social Justice | Dr. Patrick ByrnePatrick Byrne is known as the founder and CEO of Overstock.com. However, few people know that he also has a PhD in Philosophy from Stanford. In this interview, we talk about ethics - both business and personal. He shares some of his most fundamental values in life. We also cover his analysis of the "social justice" phenomenon. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-07-1638 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 65 - "Ultra Spiritual" or "Actually Spiritual"? | JP SearsJP Sears is known for his "ultra-spiritual" satirical videos. However, he's not just a satirist. Turns out, he's actually a serious life-coach with interesting ideas who actually believes many of the things he satirizes. In this interview, we talk about his worldview and ideas about spirituality and religion, and I share some of my thoughts on the subject. If you can sort through the dirt and dogma, there is truth to be found in the spiritual side of life. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-07-1056 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 64 - Science, Peer Review, and Academic B******t | Brian EarpScience has flaws. We must discover and acknowledge them if we want to avoid dogmatic thinking. Too many people dismiss skepticism about the rigor of modern science as “anti-intellectual.” They overlook serious problems with the scientific method in practice. I am joined this week by Brian Earp, the author of the excellent article "The Unbearable Asymmetry of B******t" Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-07-021h 10
Patterson in PursuitCan Drugs Lead to Truth?It's easy to dismiss any insights while gained in an altered state as "crazy". But there might be more going on. Drugs seem to make people naturally more philosophic; they shake you from your regular framework, which might be what people need in order to grasp the truth from a new direction. But of course, drug use comes with its own risks. I've seen too many people whose wires have crossed after taking a few too many magic mushrooms. Use at your own risk. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at...2017-06-2913 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 63 - The Limits of the Non-Aggression Principle | Interview BreakdownAre there exceptions to the so-called "non-aggression principle," which says that it is never justified to initiate force against a peaceful person? In some circumstances, could it be justified to use physical force on somebody that doesn't consent? What qualifies as "consent" in the first place? This is part 1 of my breakdown of Episode 50 - my conversation with Stephan Kinsella. In the future, I'll release a second breakdown of our conversation about argumentation ethics. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-06-2530 min
Patterson in PursuitLanguage is Inherently AmbiguousAmbiguity is part of language. Words do not have objective definitions; they mean whatever you want them to mean. You don't hear or see words - you hear sounds and see blobs of color that qualify as "words" by your own conceptual criteria. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-06-2207 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 62 - Bitcoin, OpenBazaar, and Political Power | Sam PattersonWhat if a technology existed that allowed anybody in the world to trade with anybody else in the world - whatever they want, whenever they want, and without permission from anybody else. What would the world look like? What would the political and economic implications be? That technology is currently being created, and my very own brother has co-founded a company to develop it. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-06-1753 min
Patterson in PursuitIs Space Mental?100% of the space that we experience is space within our representation of the world. Does that imply space is only in our heads? Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-06-1508 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 61 - Ayn Rand's Objectivism | Dr. David KelleyShould Ayn Rand be taken seriously? She created a philosophy called "Objectivism", but until recent years, it hasn't been gotten much attention from professional philosophers. How does Objectivism answer basic questions in epistemology and metaphysics? To help me learn, I've invited Dr. David Kelley to come on the show. He's the founder of the Atlas Society and has been promoting Objectivism for more than 25 years. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-06-111h 04
Patterson in PursuitYou Live in Your MindDo you see the world, or do you see your representation of the world? Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-06-0806 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 60 - Dialogue with a Buddhist Monk | Phra Maha Chanomkorn PrakaiWhat's the purpose of meditation? What is the nature of the mind? What is the nature of the self? I got to ask these questions to a Buddhist monk while in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-06-0458 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 59 - Can You Approach Infinity? | Dr. Michael HuemerThe most popular resolution to Zeno's paradoxes is to say, "Calculus solves it!" But, as I've written and spoken about before, the logic of calculus might be dubious. Can we really complete an infinite series? My guest this week is Dr. Michael Huemer, who has recently written a book called Approaching Infinity, where he claims that the modern theory of infinities do need to be revised - that calculus does not solve Zeno's paradoxes - and that we have to distinguish between completable and non-completable infinities. Though Dr. Huemer and I disagree on the metaphysics of...2017-05-281h 20
Patterson in PursuitIs the World Blurry? | The Modernist FallacyWhat's more likely: a precise description of an ambiguous world, or an ambiguous description of a precise world? This is the modernist fallacy: to think that conceptual blurriness correctly describes a blurry world. To me, this is silly and irrational. Ambiguous theories are flawed; they aren't positive arguments for "true ambiguity". Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-05-2606 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 58 - The Psychology of Postmodernism | Dr. Stephen HicksPostmodernist philosophy is famous for being paradoxical. Claims like "the truth is that there is no truth" or "everything is relative" are popular - especially among academics. Many proponents are even OK with explicit contradictions in their worldview. To me, a contradiction is a demonstration of error, and not caring about intellectual consistency is a sign of dogmatism and irrationalism. But according to Dr. Stephen Hicks, that's because I have a certain psychological response to contradictions. Postmodernists have a different psychological response, and so they aren't as bothered by inconsistency. Dr. Hicks thinks it's possible t...2017-05-2058 min
Patterson in PursuitTai Chi Meets RealityTai Chi master gets beat up by an MMA fighter; Chinese think it was "disrespectful" to demonstrate the truth - the Tai Chi master's "expertise" was a sham. This kind of thing happens all the time in the martial arts and in the world of ideas. "Masters" and "experts" are frequently convinced of their own knowledge and superiority - allthewhile being deluded about the basics of their own subject matter. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-05-1808 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 57 - Are Some Objects Mind-Dependent? | Interview BreakdownThis is my interview breakdown of Episode 33 - my conversation with Dr. Jody Azzouni about the metaphysics of mathematics. The first half of our conversation was about existence, the nature of language, and whether we can say true things about objects that don't exist. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-05-1552 min
Patterson in PursuitPuerto Rico Has Gone BankruptThe economic principle is clear: you cannot borrow money indefinitely to pay your bills. Eventually, the bills come due. You can only delay the inevitable. This is a law of economics, and it applies to every country on earth, including the United States. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-05-1207 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 56 - Zen Buddhism | Keiho NishigakiWhat are the fundamentals of Zen Buddhism? What is the purpose of meditation, or zazen? Is the philosophy or the practice of Buddhism more important? I asked these questions to Keiho Nishigaki, the head monk at the Nan'yoji temple outside of Osaka, Japan. He was kind enough to work me through the basics, in addition to giving me a guided Zen meditation session. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-05-1033 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 55 - Are Science and Religion Incompatible? | Dr. Peter HarrisonHow fundamental is the conflict between science and religion? Is it true that the history of the church is filled with anti-intellectualism and the suppression of scientific inquiry? Is religious fundamentalism to blame for the tension between science and religion? I've got my own suspicions about these questions, but I decided to ask Dr. Peter Harrison, who teaches History at the University of Queensland. He specializes in the topic of "Science versus Religion". Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-04-3055 min
Patterson in PursuitData versus Anecdotes: From Ghosts to LevaquinRationalists are far too quick to dismiss anecdotes as being "non-scientific." They are also too quick to accept all official-looking "data" that comes from scientists - when, in fact, anecdotes might sometimes be more trustworthy than scientific data. On the other hand, many people are far too likely to accept the theoretical claims of anecdotal evidence - rather than accepting the data while remaining skeptical of any theoretical claims. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-04-2919 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 54 - Psychedelic Experience: Ayahuasca | The World WanderersFor thousands of years, people have ingested psychedelic drugs in order to alter their consciousness. They report having profound experiences - many of which are life-changing. But is this just simple delusion? Can you really learn important truths while on drugs? I think it's a grave mistake to dismiss the possibility out of hand. To help me answer, I'm joined by the World Wanderers: Ryan Ferguson and Amanda Kingsmith, who have traveled to more than 45 countries together. While in Peru, they both had an ayahuasca experience that they consider to be life-changing in a positive way. 2017-04-231h 53
Patterson in PursuitThe Social HierarchyContinuing the commentary on hierarchy from last week. Seeking status, wealth, and prestige - for their own sake - is not a recipe for happiness or human flourishing. It's a recipe for pettiness and division. Playing power games within a social pecking order is an attempt to compensate for a lack of self-confidence. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-04-2010 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 53 - One Year, 10 Countries | What I've LearnedA year ago, I started Patterson in Pursuit. Ten countries later, I want to share some thoughts about what I've learned. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-04-1542 min
Patterson in PursuitPeople Love HierarchyRegardless of where people fall on the social hierarchy, they like and reinforce the system. They seek camaraderie with other people in social classes - even if they're in the bottom class. This is a difficult part of human psychology for me to deal with. For those of us who don't like this system, it can be difficult to opt-out. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-04-1308 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 52 - Are Some Infinities Bigger Than Others? | Dr. Toby MeadowsDoes infinity really come in multiple sizes? According to mathematical orthodoxy, some infinities are bigger than others - but that's awfully hard to wrap your mind around. So, I've asked Dr. Toby Meadows from the University of Queensland to help me out. He specializes in the philosophy of mathematics and set theory. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-04-091h 05
Patterson in PursuitEp. 51 - Feminist Philosophy | Dr. Michelle Boulous-WalkerWhy is the history of ideas dominated by male thinkers? Is it because women are discouraged from intellectual life - or is it because women tend to choose other careers? If we go even deeper: why do women (and men) make the choices they do? Is it because they are influenced by overwhelming societal pressures - or are they acting freely? These are the questions I've asked Dr. Michelle Boulous-Walker, who teaches at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-04-021h 06
Patterson in PursuitThe Metaphysics of FictionCan we say true and false things about Harry Potter? If so, does that mean he exists? If not, then how can we talk about a non-existing thing? I've gotten different answers to these questions in my interviews so far. Here are some of my thoughts on the topic. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-03-3107 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 50 - Argumentation Ethics | Stephan KinsellaIf we choose to argue, have we presupposed an ethical framework? Is "self-ownership" a concept that cannot coherently be doubted? To help me answer these questions, I'm joined by Stephan Kinsella, who is one of the most prominent supporters of "argumentation ethics." He claims that ownership is inescapable. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-03-261h 27
Patterson in PursuitExperts and IncompetenceDon't take my word for it, but the experts might not be so expert... Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-03-2423 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 49 - Is Consciousness "Emergent"? | Dr. David Braddon-MitchellDoes consciousness "emerge" from physical phenomena? What does "emerge" even mean? If we grant that consciousness emerges, and that it has a distinct ontological status, doesn't that imply dualism? To help me answer these questions, I spoke with Dr. Braddon-Mitchell at the University of Sydney. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-03-1853 min
Patterson in PursuitMy Experience with Christian EvangelicalismI grew up in a Christian Evangelical household. This is my experience with religious fundamentalism. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-03-1624 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 48 - Skepticism of Infinity in Mathematics | Dr. Norman WildbergerAre the foundations of mathematics rock-solid? Are we allowed to doubt them? How central is the concept of "infinity" to modern mathematics - and has the logic of infinity been fully worked out? To help me answer these questions, I've traveled to Sydney, Australia to interview an unorthodox mathematician on the topic. Dr. Norman Wildberger is also skeptical of the modern foundations of mathematics - even though he's a teaching professor at the University of New South Wales - and he has a popular youtube channel where he's laying out new foundations for the field.2017-03-1251 min
Patterson in PursuitInfinite Things Do Not ExistThere are no infinite things - no infinite sets, magnitudes, densities, shapes, distances, or anything else. Every thing is exactly the way it is. It has boundaries and is therefore finite. If this is true, then we have a great amount of work ahead of us, re-founding modern mathematics on a more solid logical ground. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-03-0914 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 47 - Problems with Paraconsistent Logic | Interview BreakdownBreakdown of the interview I had with Dr. Patrick Girard about paraconsistent logic. Nothing is both true and false at the same time. Any logical theory that suggests otherwise is catastrophically flawed. There are no true logical contradictions, and if we get this wrong, we eliminate any chance of internal incoherence in our theories. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-03-0558 min
Patterson in Pursuit3 Steps for Changing a ParadigmHow to replace one theory with another. You must accomplish three things: 1) Explain where the dominant theory is wrong. 2) Explain why your theory solves the problem in #1, while preserving its explanatory power. 3) Explain why the incorrect theory still had predictive power. Do those three, and you've made a compelling case for a paradigm shift. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-03-0305 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 46 - Buddhism and Boundaries | Interview BreakdownAre all boundaries artificial? Is "the self" a real thing, or is it just an illusion? Does anything have essence? These are the questions I'm breaking down from my interview with Dr. Janet Gyatso from Harvard. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-02-2636 min
Patterson in PursuitA Requirement for True LoveThis is the most personal article I've written. It's about love - but it's not meant to make you feel fuzzy. I believe love is the highest state of human existence, but getting to a loving state of mind is incredibly hard, and it comes coupled with a great deal of pain. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-02-2414 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 45 - Infinite Sets: Understanding the Basics | Dr. GarethResting at the heart of modern mathematics is the concept of infinite sets. It's a notoriously difficult concept, and in my own evaluation, it strikes me as logically contradictory. So, I accept an invitation to talk with an ex-mathematician who specializes in set theory - perhaps he can set me straight and help me understand the basic ways of thinking about these "completed infinities." Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-02-1954 min
Patterson in PursuitCharlie Hebdo as an Excuse to Take SelfiesI can't help but notice the West's reaction to the Charlie Hebdo massacre. It's so abstract. If I were to be cynical, I'd say that people's reactions are fake. They don't really care about the tragedy; they care about social signaling to their peers. Original article here: http://steve-patterson.com/charlie-hebdo-excuse-take-selfies/ Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-02-1606 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 44 - SJWs, the Left, and Academia | Dr. Jamie WhyteGreat show this week covering the social justice warrior phenomenon - the origins, causes, and damage that could be created if these people gain political power. We also talk about the liberalisation of New Zealand during the 80's, "trickle-down ideologies", and the impact of relativism in higher ed. My guest is Dr. Jamie Whyte, who has a background in philosophy, studied at Cambridge, and saw first-hand the popularity of irrationalism within the academic system. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-02-1248 min
Patterson in PursuitEp. 43 - Indigenous Beliefs of New Zealand | Dr. Hirini KaaWhat were the indigenous beliefs of the Māori people of New Zealand? How did they view the world? How did they react when met with the first Christian settlers? I'm joined by Dr. Hirini Kaa to help me answer these questions. We talk about the Maori worldview, history, religion, and impact of colonialism on New Zealand's indigenous people. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-02-051h 07
Patterson in PursuitEp. 42 - Truth and Paraconsistent LogicWhat is truth? Can we know anything about it? Is truth about propositions, or is it about the world? Can a proposition be true and false at the same time? What about the infamous liar's paradox? My guest this week thinks that logical contradictions are unavoidable - but also that they aren't as big a deal as classical logicians make them out to be. I think contradictions are a very big deal, so naturally, we have a great discussion. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-01-291h 09
Patterson in PursuitEp. 41 - Race Relations, Part II | T.K. ColemanThis is Part II of the conversation I had with T.K. Coleman about race relations in the United States. We continue talking about the importance of intention versus action - focusing on people feelings versus focusing on their behavior. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-01-261h 34
Patterson in PursuitEp. 40 - Race Relations | T.K. ColemanA timely interview on the subject of race in America. Ideas matter, and some of them matter urgently. This is one of those topics where respectful, honest, and reasonable conversation is in high demand and short supply. I hope my guest T.K. Coleman will spend a few more episodes diving into the subject with me, because we only scratched the surface here. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-01-221h 21
Patterson in PursuitWhy I Am Not a PhysicalistThe theory of physicalism does not fully explain all the phenomena that I experience. The toolbox of concepts must expand. Get full access to Steve Patterson's Substack at stevepatterson.substack.com/subscribe2017-01-1922 min