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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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  • 26 episodes
  • Avg 59 min
  • English

Episodes 26

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  • 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?

  • Sep 22, 2025 · 57 min

    Aztec Philosophy: What the Aztecs Knew About Life | Sebastian Purcell

    How did the Aztecs understand life, morality, and human purpose? What can Aztec philosophy teach us about living well? Sebastian Purcell guides us through Aztec thought, beginning with a thought experiment from Homer’s Odyssey and moving into the core ideas of Aztec wisdom. Along the way, he contrasts Aztec ethics with Western traditions and applies them to modern debates on morality, from sex and meat consumption to life’s ultimate purpose. The conversation also takes on difficult topics like human sacrifice and sexual norms, showing how Aztec thought continues to challenge and enrich philosophy today. Chapters: [00:32] Odysseus and the Genie: A Thought Experiment [04:40] The Concept of Rootedness [08:17] Aztec Obligations and the Good Life [19:12] Shared Agency and Virtue [27:51] The Challenge of Community Bubbles [28:58] Aztec Views on Community and Travel [32:44] Human Sacrifice: Myth or Reality? [48:51] Aztec Moral Framework and Applied Ethics [53:03] Sexual Ethics in Aztec Society [57:06] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Showing 21–26 of 26 episodes