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Brain in a Vat

Brain in a Vat

Thought experiments and conversations with philosophers. Hosted by Dr Jason Werbeloff and Mark Oppenheimer.

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  • Tuesday · 56 min

    The Costs of Open Borders | Lionel Shriver

    Lionel Shriver returns to discuss her new novel, 'A Better Life,' and the philosophical debate over immigration and open borders. Inspired by a proposed New York City program to pay residents to house migrants, the novel turns one family's home into a thought experiment about immigration and humanitarian obligations. Shriver examines the arguments for and against open borders, as well as challenges surrounding assimilation and national identity. She also considers what happens when abstract commitments to helping others require bearing the costs and responsibilities yourself in practice. Read Shriver’s book, ‘A Better Life’, here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/a-better-life-lionel-shriver?variant=43823065432098 Chapters: [00:00] Introduction to Shriver [00:15] The Premise of A Better Life [03:31] Immigration Under Biden and Trump [09:09] The Home as a Metaphor for the Country [10:06] Arguments for Open Borders [15:03] Immigration and Declining Fertility [34:53] Assimilation and National Identity [40:56] America vs. Asia on Immigration [45:06] The Limits of Mass Deportation

  • August 10 · 58 min

    The Man Who Exposed Jason Arday: Cancelled at Cambridge | Nathan Cofnas

    Nathan Cofnas, the academic who recently drew widespread attention for exposing plagiarism allegations against Cambridge professor Jason Arday, returns to Brain in a Vat to discuss academic freedom, institutional conformity, and his own controversial departure from Cambridge. Cofnas argues that universities create incentives for academics to conform, particularly when scholarship challenges prevailing political and moral assumptions. He recounts the backlash to his writing on race and intelligence, including student petitions, protests, complaints, and the lengthy Cambridge investigation that followed. Can universities remain committed to free inquiry when students and administrators find certain conclusions offensive? Cofnas contends that academic institutions must distinguish between social norms and punishment, and that protecting truly open inquiry requires tolerating ideas many people find objectionable. Chapters: [00:00] Introduction to Nathan Cofnas [00:15] Philosophy Outside the University [04:40] Universities and the Limits of Free Inquiry [11:35] How Academia Selects for Conformity [13:30] Cofnas’s Cambridge Free Speech Controversy [27:25] Student Veto Power in Academia [30:49] Race, IQ, and the Harm Objection [34:22] The Case for Discussing Offensive Truths [38:27] Race, Group Differences, and Wokeism [50:03] Academic Freedom and Social Taboos Subscribe on Substack: https://braininavat.substack.com/

  • August 4 · 56 min

    Free Speech, Schools, and Children | Jimmy Mullen

    Former Brain in a Vat producer Jimmy Mullen returns to discuss free speech in schools, exploring how educational institutions should balance student expression with their responsibility to maintain an environment conducive to learning. Drawing on constitutional law and landmark cases on student free speech, the conversation explores viewpoint neutrality, the role of political disagreement in education, and the limits of school authority. It ultimately considers how schools can prepare children to think independently while participating in a democratic society. Chapters: [00:00] Two Cases of School Censorship [05:00] Tinker v. Des Moines [10:25] The Case for Apolitical Schools [16:10] Education or Indoctrination? [23:07] The Culture of Self-Censorship [26:01] Student Speech After Tinker v. Des Moines [30:33] The Anarchist Challenge [38:59] Learning Through Disagreement [43:14] Schools as Democratic Training Grounds [49:56] Public and Private Schools [55:24] The Coddling of the American Mind

  • July 28 · 1 hr 3 min

    Sexual Ethics on Campus: Consent and Power | Colin McGinn

    Colin McGinn joins to discuss sexual ethics on campus. Drawing on thought experiments and his own experiences in academia, McGinn argues that universities too often conflate harassment with consensual relationships while overstating the role of power imbalances. He explains why he believes current policies can undermine academic freedom, due process, and the proper limits of institutional authority. Chapters: [00:00] Introduction [00:16] A Thought Experiment [08:19] Microenticements [12:09] Harassment vs. Consensual Relationships [22:38] Reporting Relationships [36:06] The Power Imbalance [45:06] MeToo, Cancellation, and Academia [49:53] Devil's Advocate [1:00:17] Should Universities Regulate Romance? [1:10:58] Final Reflections

  • June 28 · 58 min

    The Philosophy of Pluribus | Spencer Case

    Spencer Case returns to discuss Pluribus, one of the most philosophically ambitious science fiction series in recent years. The conversation explores whether individuality is worth preserving if giving it up would create a happier and more peaceful world, raising questions about personal identity, autonomy, and the ethics of a hive mind. Chapters: [00:00] Welcome [00:58] Pluribus Explained [03:09] The Hive Mind Thought Experiment [04:34] Do You Survive the Joining? [12:05] Personal Identity and Point of View [16:58] Unjoining and Consent [21:04] Autonomy or Happiness? [30:30] Utilitarianism Versus Individual Rights [34:07] Cannibalism [43:41] Love in a Hive Mind [51:58] Why "Pluribus"? Visit Spencer's channel, Micro-Digressions: https://www.buzzsprout.com/956725 Subscribe on Substack: https://braininavat.substack.com/

  • June 14 · 57 min

    The Time-Meaning Conundrum | Rivka Weinberg

    Rivka Weinberg returns to argue that time is both the source of meaning and its greatest threat, making meaningful lives possible while also guaranteeing loss and impermanence. The conversation explores the relationship between suffering and meaning, whether ultimate meaning is attainable, and why temporary achievements may remain valuable even if nothing lasts forever. Chapters: [00:00] Introduction [04:44] The Time-Meaning Conundrum [06:35] Religion, Suffering, and Meaning [16:13] Immortality and the Afterlife [21:06] Why Ultimate Meaning Is Impossible [28:06] Cosmic Purpose and Heaven [33:54] Hedonism and Long-Term Commitment [48:36] Meaning Beyond the Self [52:26] Debating Benatar's Cosmic Perspective

  • June 14 · 1 hr 1 min

    Should You Need Permission to Take Medicine? | Jessica Flanigan

    Do adults have a right to decide what goes into their own bodies, even when experts believe they're making a mistake? Jessica Flanigan returns to defend a radical idea: competent adults should have the freedom to access pharmaceuticals without needing permission from doctors or government regulators. Flanigan argues that the same principles underlying informed consent also support a right to self-medicate. The conversation explores medical paternalism through debates over prescription requirements, addiction, public health, gender-affirming care, and assisted dying. We scrutinize the limits of state authority and whether doctors are ever truly better judges of our interests than we are ourselves. Chapters: [00:00] Introduction to Jessica Flanigan [00:21] The Case for Pharmaceutical Freedom [04:08] Medical Paternalism and Informed Consent [07:06] Are Doctors Better Judges of Our Interests? [14:33] When Is Paternalism Justified? [17:27] Addiction, Autonomy, and Self-Control [21:43] Socialized Healthcare and Personal Risk [28:06] Third-Party Harms: Antibiotics and Public Health [34:22] Vaccine Mandates and Individual Liberty [38:37] Adderall, Neuroenhancement, and Fairness [43:51] Gender-Affirming Care and Medical Autonomy [57:20] The Right to Die and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) [01:01:33] Closing Thoughts Subscribe on Substack: https://braininavat.substack.com/

  • May 17 · 58 min

    Can Torture Be Justified? | Stephen Kershnar

    We welcome back Stephen Kershnar to discuss the ethics of torture. Kershnar argues that some criminals deserve torture because severe wrongdoing can cause a person to forfeit protections against extreme punishment. He critiques the idea that there are moral constraints the state must never cross. The dialogue also examines objections to torture concerning human dignity, bodily integrity, and the dangers of granting the state such power. Chapters [00:00] Introduction [00:43] Why Punitive Torture? [04:57] Defining Torture [08:22] Solitary Confinement Today [10:15] Deterrence versus Retribution [19:19] Can Rights Be Forfeited? [29:54] Contracts You Cannot Exit [34:30] Consent, Punishment, and Efficiency [37:28] Demographics and Equality [45:48] Punitive Rape Debate [48:05] Side Constraints on Torture [53:40] Third Party Harms [58:06] Closing Remarks Subscribe on Substack: https://braininavat.substack.com/

  • May 6 · 59 min

    A World Without Scarcity | Steven Kotler

    What happens to human beings in a world without scarcity? If all our needs were met, would we actually be better off? Will technological progress lead to utopia or collapse? Humans are living through massive improvements in material conditions. More people have access to food, energy, and technology than ever before. Steven Kotler examines what this kind of abundance does to us. It may support a more comfortable life, but it can also erode the conditions that sustain a sense of purpose. We also discuss how attention and identity are being affected by technological progress. As AI systems take on more optimization and decision-making, the role of human thought may change, raising questions about what remains distinctly human in how we engage with the world. Read Peter Diamandis' and Kotler's book, 'We Are as Gods,' here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Are-as-Gods/Peter-H-Diamandis/Exponential-Technology-Series/9781668099544 Chapters: [00:00] Introduction to Steven Kotler [00:15] Universe 25 and the Problem of Abundance [03:06] Mouse Dynamics and Human Parallels [10:30] Abundance, Individuality, and Meaning [17:18] Tradeoffs of Abundance [27:31] The Impact of Overload and Burnout [32:59] Skepticism About AI and Technology [46:53] Population and Ecological Pressures [54:52] Human Creativity in an AI World

  • May 6 · 55 min

    Living with Adversity | David Benatar

    What does it mean to live with adversity? How ought we respond to the suffering of others? How can we adapt to hardship? Adversity is a universal experience. Nearly everyone, at some point, faces physical, psychological, or social challenges, and yet suffering often goes unnoticed. David Benatar joins us to discuss these questions on the human condition, provoked by his book 'Living with Adversity,' a collection of personal accounts of suffering. Read Benatar's book here: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385266708/living-with-adversity/ Chapters: [00:18] Introduction to David Benatar [05:32] The Value of Witnessing Hardship [09:56] Empathy and Emotional Distance [18:37] Legitimate and Illegitimate Suffering [23:54] The Absence of Redemption Narratives [25:39] The Limits of Empathy [41:10] Forms of Adversity

  • May 6 · 1 hr 3 min

    Risky Storytelling | Kevin Allison

    Kevin Allison, creator of the RISK! podcast, recounts a high school prank at an all-boys Jesuit school in 1986. After a crush teased him by repeatedly spitting on him, Kevin later mailed him a sealed container of feces labeled “enjoy the cookies.” In retelling the story, Kevin considers how the prank mixes humiliation and a possible form of intimacy, situated within his experience of growing up gay under Catholic doctrine. For Kevin, telling such stories has become an opportunity for self-reflection. Beyond this, Kevin argues that sharing what is usually considered “unmentionable” can create a distinct form of connection: moments of vulnerability tend to draw listeners in rather than push them away. Thus, the points of greatest risk are often where an audience leans in most. Chapters: [00:00] The Mailing Feces Prank [12:49] Why the "Unmentionable" Matters [14:20] Coming Out Under Catholicism [18:09] Starting RISK! [23:02] Teaching Storytelling [35:41] Revisiting Old Stories [42:22] Audience Backlash [47:36] What are "Safe Spaces" [56:09] How Memory Alters a Story [01:03:29] Closing Remarks Find the RISK! podcast here: https://www.risk-show.com/ Subscribe on Substack: https://braininavat.substack.com/

  • March 22 · 1 hr 2 min

    Free Speech, Hate Speech, and Mental Health | Chloe Carmichael

    Clinical psychologist Chloe Carmichael, author of "Can I Say That?," examines how free expression relates to psychological well-being and social trust. Carmichael argues that suppressing disagreement drives resentment and misperception, rather than resolving conflict. She also scrutinizes the role of safe spaces, the spread of therapeutic language, and what limits on speech might be justified in public versus private life. [00:00] Introduction to Chloe Carmichael [00:29] Mark’s Workplace Story [02:33] Repression and Mental Health [09:47] Reeducation versus dialogue [13:58] Campus safe spaces [21:30] Public speech [22:37] Therapy language and groupthink [27:34] Academia echo chambers [33:12] First Amendment Limits [43:16] Cultural Social Norms [56:44] Why Censorship Backfires [01:00:25] Five Ds and Violence [01:01:52] Closing Remarks Read Carmichael's book, "Can I Say That?: Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly," here: https://www.amazon.com/Can-Say-That-Matters-Fearlessly/dp/151078490X Subscribe on Substack: https://braininavat.substack.com/

  • March 9 · 1 hr 8 min

    The Bias against Conservatism in Higher Education | Amy Wax

    Amy Wax joins us to discuss the ideological landscape of higher education. Wax reflects on her conflict with the University of Pennsylvania and argues that universities have become increasingly hostile to conservative viewpoints. The conversation explores ideological bias on campus, academic freedom, and the challenges conservatives face within modern higher education. [00:00] Welcome to the Discussion [00:23] Amy Wax and Penn Suspension [07:01] Lawsuit and Double Standards [15:01] Speech Versus Action Rules [25:33] Why Academia Stays One Sided [35:29] Classroom Power Imbalance [40:14] Public Private Speech Rules [44:18] Feminization And Wokeness [50:58] Facts Versus Ideology [53:47] COVID And Contested Facts [58:06] Race IQ And Censorship [01:02:06] Equity Meritocracy Clash [01:08:27] Closing Comments

  • February 22 · 1 hr 4 min

    The Nature of the Sexes | Tomás Bogardus (with Stephen Kershnar)

    Tomás Bogardus joins to discuss his book "The Nature of the Sexes" and argues for a reproductive-functional account of biological sex. According to Bogardus, males and females are defined by the reproductive function their bodies are structured to perform: producing sperm or eggs. Even when that function is not realized and no sperm or eggs are produced, a person’s sex remains the same, because it is grounded in biological organization. To defend this view, Bogardus considers intersex and DSD cases, critiques contextualist accounts that treat sex as domain-dependent, and argues for a unified meaning of “male” and “female.” The conversation later turns to whether sex is essential or changeable, as well as debates about pronouns, sports, and medical interventions for minors. [00:00] Introduction to the Debate on Sex [00:23] The Delivery Room Thought Experiment: "It’s a Boy/Girl" [02:04] Sex as Reproductive Function [07:41 ]Gametes, Competitor Theories, and the Non-Producers Objection [11:29] Intersex & DSD Cases [19:23] Contextualism and Cluster Concepts: Sex in Sports, Bathrooms, Dating? [26:23] Conjunction Reduction & Animal Examples: Rooster vs Crocodile [30:24] One Unified Meaning of Sex Terms [32:06] Are ‘Man’ and ‘Woman’ Social Roles or Biological Sexes? [37:15] Is Sex Essential or Contingent? Souls, Brains, and Hylomorphism [42:23] Surgery and Embryo Gene Editing [47:15] Fairness in Sports/Prisons [54:38] Should Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Be Criminalized? [01:04:09] Conclusion Read "The Nature of the Sexes: Why Biology Matters": https://www.routledge.com/The-Nature-of-the-Sexes-Why-Biology-Matters/Bogardus/p/book/9781041029533 Subscribe to the Brain in a Vat Substack: https://braininavat.substack.com/

  • February 9 · 1 hr 4 min

    God Is Not Praiseworthy | Stephen Kershnar and Nathan Bray

    Brain in a Vat is back from hiatus with a deep dive into the philosophy of religion. Stephen Kershnar and Nathan Bray join us to ask whether God can be morally responsible and whether worship makes sense if God could not have done otherwise. The discussion begins with a thought experiment about gratitude and worship. If worship expresses praise for morally responsible action, can a perfectly good God deserve it at all? Kershnar and Bray argue that divine perfection may undermine responsibility rather than secure it. From there, Kershnar and Bray explore compulsion, omnibenevolence, and free will. Along the way, we discuss moral saints, chess computers, Frankfurt-style cases, Patty Hearst, and the costs these arguments impose on traditional theism. We would love to hear your thoughts. Is worship grounded in gratitude, awe, or something else entirely? And does God need moral responsibility to be worthy of it? [00:00] Welcome Back to Brain in a Vat [00:45] Thought Experiment: Worship and Gratitude [02:59] The Compulsion Argument [05:04] The Role of Awe in Worship [13:21] Maximizing Goodness and Divine Discretion [20:26] The Problem of Evil and Divine Psychology [33:33] Exploring Patty Hearst's Psychology [40:19] The Nature of God's Perfection [46:57] Philosophical Debates on God's Existence [01:03:49] Concluding Thoughts and Viewer Engagement

  • Nov 9, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min

    Facial Distortions and Prosopometamorphopsia | Brad Duchaine (Rebroadcast)

    In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, Brad Duchaine from the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department at Dartmouth discusses prosopometamorphopsia (PMO) – a condition where individuals see distorted faces. The episode explores various manifestations of PMO, including seeing demonic features, dragons, or entirely different faces, and distinguishes it from prosopagnosia (face blindness). It delves into the neurological basis of PMO, touching upon structural and functional differences in the brains of those affected. We discuss the significant impact PMO and prosopagnosia have on individuals' social interactions and quality of life, as well as potential management techniques such as using glasses or colored lights to reduce distortions. Chapters: [00:00] Introduction and Guest Presentation [00:20] Exploring the Case of Face Distortion [03:19] Understanding the Nature of Distortions [05:49] Comparing Prosopagnosia and PMO [07:17] The Role of Visual System in Face Recognition [10:01] Impact of Face Recognition on Social Interactions [14:16] The Spectrum of Face Recognition Abilities [16:20] The Role of AI and Hallucinations in Face Recognition [23:48] Understanding the Diagnosis of Face Recognition Disorders [30:20] Understanding Prosopagnosia: Prevalence and Characteristics [31:59] The Mystery of PMO: Prevalence and Need for More Research [32:46] Exploring the Impact of Prosopagnosia and PMO on Social and Sexual Relationships [33:23] The Intersection of PMO and Other Psychiatric Conditions [37:03] The Struggles and Challenges of Living with Prosopagnosia and PMO [41:02] Potential Treatments and Coping Mechanisms for PMO [51:22] The Neurological Basis of PMO and Prosopagnosia [54:51] Testing and Characterizing PMO: A Deep Dive into Research Methods [59:54] Understanding the Perception and Processing of Faces in PMO

  • Oct 26, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min

    Parental Licensing | Connor Kianpour (Rebroadcast)

    Should you be required to get a parental license from the State before you can raise your own children? Do the wishes of parents matter at all – or should we only care about the best interests of their children?

  • Oct 17, 2025 · 51 min

    Can AI Bring Our Loved Ones Back? Inside Reflekta AI’s Digital Afterlife | Miles Spencer

    In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, we step outside our usual format to interview Miles Spencer, founder of Reflekta — a company using cutting-edge AI to recreate digital reflections of loved ones who’ve passed away. Miles shares his personal journey of using Reflekta to reconnect with his late father and explains how the system blends voice recordings, photos, and written biographies to create realistic digital personas. The discussion covers the emotional impact, ethical questions, and philosophical issues raised by this technology, from preserving family memories to reviving historical or fictional figures. We also consider what it means to build a living legacy in the age of AI, and how this might change the way we understand grief, identity, and memory. Chapters: [00:00] Introduction [00:15] Meet Miles Spencer, Founder of Reflector AI [03:07] How the Technology Works [07:12] Philosophical Implications of Digital Afterlife [15:29] Living Legacies and Ethical Boundaries [23:12] Historical and Public Figures [26:33] Family, Memory, and AI Elders [33:17] Reflections on “The Rehearsal” and Reality [42:31] Future Implications [47:54] Legacy, Spirit, and the Human Story [51:21] Closing Thoughts

  • Sep 30, 2025 · 51 min

    Cultural Appropriation | Stephen Kershnar (Rebroadcast)

    Is it permissible for members of one group to appropriate the cultural practices of another? Is there anything wrong with cultural appropriation at all, or are there benefits to cultural appropriation?

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