Introduction If we want to improve our public discourse, we must aim to be as objective as possible. When we raise our consciousness and work towards clearing our minds of personal interests, political affiliations, and the sophistry of art, we grow closer to rationality and knowledge. Art, on the other hand, is nothing more than the overly excited offspring of objectivity: films, paintings, music, and dance contribute nothing unique to our understanding of the world. At worst, art muddies the waters of our discourse; at best, it merely reflects the insights of political philosophy and science. Opposing this view – and championing the cognitive advantages of artworks as political discourse – is Dr Vid Simoniti, Lecturer in Philosophy of Art at the University of Liverpool. As well as being a rising star in the worlds of academic philosophy and art history, Dr Simoniti’s work as a BBC New Generation Thinker – and his collaborations with public-facing projects such as the Liverpool bi-annual – is bringing conversations about art and philosophy into the public square. When we enjoy a play at the theatre, rock our heads to a song on the radio, or wiggle the joysticks on our PlayStation controllers: does it leave us more attuned to how the world is? For Simoniti, in the context of art as political discourse, the answer is unequivocally ‘yes’. This episode is produced in partnership with the Philosophy and the Future project at the University of Liverpool. For more information about philosophy at Liverpool, head over to www.liverpool.ac.uk/philosophy. Contents Part I. Public Health Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Vid Simoniti, Website. Vid Simoniti, Art Against the World (Podcast). Vid Simoniti, ‘Art as Political Discourse’ (Paper). 

The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast

Episode 104, ‘Art and the Future’ with Vid Simoniti (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)

Episode 104, ‘Art and the Future’ with Vid Simoniti (Part I - Art as Political Discourse)

Introduction Given the choice, who wouldn’t increase the balance in their bank account, switch into a fit and healthy body, find themselves in a meaningful career, and cultivate happiness and love in their relationships? These are preferences we all share, but few of us achieve them. Perhaps we could, if only we made better choices. We all want to make better decisions – the salad over the burger, the restful night’s sleep over ‘one more episode’ – yet we continue to succumb to our desires. Perhaps we need some help: maybe we need something to nudge us in the right direction? In this episode, we’ll be discussing the philosophy of nudges with Professor Thomas Schramme. Chair of Philosophy at the University of Liverpool, Thomas’s research focuses on moral and political philosophy and the philosophy of health and medicine. With over one hundred publications and heading several innovative projects – including ‘How Does it Feel? Interpersonal Understanding and Affective Empathy’ – Professor Schramme is not only an expert in his field but always communicates his ideas through accessible and engaging prose. As we’ll find in this interview, Schramme challenges some of the most prominent ideas in contemporary politics and psychology. According to Daniel Kehneman, nudges ‘have changed the world’… but, asks Schramme, do they always change it for the better? This episode is produced in partnership with the Philosophy and the Future project at the University of Liverpool. For more information about philosophy at Liverpool, head over to www.liverpool.ac.uk/philosophy. Contents Part I. Public Health Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Thomas Schramme, University Profile. Thomas Schramme, Publications. Thomas Schramme, Free-riders, collective benefit and the philosophy of mandatory vaccination. Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness, The Final Edition. 

Episode 103, 'Nudges' with Thomas Schramme (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)

Episode 103, 'Nudges' with Thomas Schramme (Part I - Public Health)

The existence of God is the most discussed, and perhaps the most important, question in philosophy. For the majority of the world’s population, God provides meaning, morality, metaphysics, and hopefully, salvation. A rich history of scholarship defending God’s existence has meant theism has long been considered to be a reasonable worldview; however, with the rise of secularism and the new atheist movement, a fiery and passionate debate has ensued: one of science vs. religion. Our question: can the two be reconciled? In this episode, we’ll be discussing God’s existence with one of contemporary philosophy’s most influential thinkers, Professor Richard Swinburne. Best known for his great trilogy of books – The Coherence of Theism, The Existence of God, and Faith and Reason – Professor Swinburne’s impact on philosophy of religion has been enormous... from high school classrooms to university halls, every teacher knows his name and every student must wrestle with his work. According to Swinburne, theism is the friend – and not the enemy – of science; for God ‘explains everything that we observe’, from the universe’s existence and the scientific laws which operate within it, to its extraordinary miracles and conscious creatures. ‘If we want a complete explanation of the universe’, says Swinburne, ‘then science needs God.’ Contents Part I. Is there a God? Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion Links The Existence of God, Richard Swinburne (book). Is There a God?, Richard Swinburne (book). More books by Richard Swinburne. 

Episode 102, The Richard Swinburne Interview (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)

Episode 102, The Richard Swinburne Interview (Part I - Is there a God?)

Imagine the smile on your parent’s face as you rush to meet them at the school gates, the soft heat of the sand between your toes on a first holiday, waking up in the haze of a late afternoon after dancing all night, the drop in your stomach when you realize you’ll never hear their voice again. These are conscious experiences. Without them, what is there to life? In this sense, we all know what consciousness is – there’s nothing we know more intimately – yet it remains one of life’s greatest mysteries. Despite the incredible advances made in physical science, it doesn’t seem like we’re any closer to an explanation of where consciousness comes from. How is it, exactly, that the brain’s 86 billion neurons give rise to conscious experience? As we’ll see, our answer to this question will not only shape our understanding of the human mind, but the fabric of reality itself. – Extract from Philosophers on Consciousness

Episode 101, Talking about the Mind (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)

Introduction Imagine the smile on your parent’s face as you rush to meet them at the school gates, the soft heat of the sand between your toes on a first holiday, waking up in the haze of a late afternoon after dancing all night, the drop in your stomach when you realize you’ll never hear their voice again. These are conscious experiences. Without them, what is there to life? In this sense, we all know what consciousness is – there’s nothing we know more intimately – yet it remains one of life’s greatest mysteries. Despite the incredible advances made in physical science, it doesn’t seem like we’re any closer to an explanation of where consciousness comes from. How is it, exactly, that the brain’s 86 billion neurons give rise to conscious experience? As we’ll see, our answer to this question will not only shape our understanding of the human mind, but the fabric of reality itself. – Extract from Philosophers on Consciousness Contents Part I. The Fabric of Reality Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Philosophers on Consciousness: Talking about the Mind (Bloomsbury; Jack Symes). 

Episode 101, Talking about the Mind (Part I - The Fabric of Reality)

The Panpsycast is now five years old. In which time, we have never failed to release a weekly instalment of the show. We’re exceptionally proud of what we’ve accomplished with your support. From our audiobook and upcoming book series to our big interviews and collaborations with leading organisations – it’s incredible that so many of you tune in week in, week out and support us on Patreon. Producing the podcast takes a lot of work, and every project has its peaks and valleys. The beginning of the pandemic marked a difficult time for us behind the scenes, and we’ve reached a point where we need to take a short step back. So, The Panpsycast will be taking a break; set to return on November 7th, 2021.  Throughout our hiatus, we’ll be pausing all Patreon payments. So, for August, September, and October, you won’t be charged anything if you’ve already pledged your support. We hope that you’ll stick around so we can keep producing the show when we return, and we’re incredibly grateful for your patience and understanding. If you’re missing us over the next three months, we’ve got over 250 instalments of the show in our back-catalogue, a 24-chapter Christianity audiobook on our website, and absolutely loads of bonus content over on our Patreon – including heaps of After Shows and insider interviews. If you’ve already been through our content… then, wow! You should really check out Philosophy Bites… just kidding. We’re incredibly grateful for your support and hope the content we’ve released will inspire you to hit the book shops whilst we’re away. We know how much the show means to so many of you, and we haven’t taken this decision lightly. Producing the show means so much to all of us, and we can’t wait to get back.  We’ll see you back here on November 7th, 2021. ___ ‘The Cave’, written and performed by Andrew Horton.

Episode X, The Cave

A philosophical education can feel like a long and arduous path. Sometimes you think you have seen the light; you think that you have knowledge, only to discover you knew nothing. It is times like this where the learner must examine their blind spots and begin their path to understanding once again while accepting that the next attempt might too end where it began. The philosopher Plato likened this path to the ascent from a dark cave up into the light of the sun. He also said that those who have seen the illuminated world above have a responsibility to go back to show others the way. Today we go back, not because we have seen the sun, but because we have travelled the path enough to know we can do a little better than we did before. The blind leading the blind? Perhaps, but we might stumble into something interesting along the way. With special thanks to the following creators for their sound samples. InspectorJ, InspectorJ(2), InspectorJ(3), InspectorJ(4), straget, jameswrowles, JG_Booysen, ethang, womb_affliction, bennychico11, HerbertBoland, ShadyDave, and 3bagbrew. Contents Part I. Forms Part II. Souls Links Plato, The Republic (Online). Plato, The Republic (Book). 

Episode 100, Plato's Cave (Part II - Souls)

<p class="">A philosophical education can feel like a long and arduous path. Sometimes you think you have seen the light; you think that you have knowledge, only to discover you knew nothing. It is times like this where the learner must examine their blind spots and begin their path to understanding once again while accepting that the next attempt might too end where it began.</p> <p class="">The philosopher Plato likened this path to the ascent from a dark cave up into the light of the sun. He also said that those who have seen the illuminated world above have a responsibility to go back to show others the way. Today we go back, not because we have seen the sun, but because we have travelled the path enough to know we can do a little better than we did before. The blind leading the blind? Perhaps, but we might stumble into something interesting along the way.</p> <div id="block-e1ee89fc8309d5f94acf" class= "sqs-block horizontalrule-block sqs-block-horizontalrule" data-block-type="47"> <div class="sqs-block-content"> <hr /></div> </div> <div id="block-64616ee465d03bc19fbe" class= "sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2"> <div id="yui_3_17_2_1_1625831692128_675" class="sqs-block-content"> <p class="">With special thanks to the following creators for their sound samples.</p> <p id="yui_3_17_2_1_1625831692128_674" class=""><a href= "https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/431117/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">InspectorJ</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/411791/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">InspectorJ(2)</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/353194/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">InspectorJ(3)</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/398702/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">InspectorJ(4)</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/straget/sounds/405423/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">straget</a>, <a id= "yui_3_17_2_1_1625831692128_673" href= "https://freesound.org/people/jameswrowles/sounds/207783/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener" name= "yui_3_17_2_1_1625831692128_673">jameswrowles</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/JG_Booysen/sounds/353093/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">JG_Booysen</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/ethang/sounds/88795/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ethang</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/womb_affliction/sounds/330707/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">womb_affliction</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/bennychico11/sounds/44407/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">bennychico11</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/HerbertBoland/sounds/28239/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">HerbertBoland</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/ShadyDave/sounds/262259/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">ShadyDave</a>, and <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/3bagbrew/sounds/59569/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">3bagbrew</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div id="block-cf9ee309d67dccf815df" class= "sqs-block horizontalrule-block sqs-block-horizontalrule" data-block-type="47"> <div class="sqs-block-content"> <hr /></div> </div> <div id="block-fb97b02d39a7b80fa2c9" class= "sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2"> <div class="sqs-block-content"> <p class=""><strong>Contents</strong></p> <p class="">Part I. Forms</p> <p class="">Part II. Souls</p> </div> </div> <div id="block-fe12e8b989d374810b33" class= "sqs-block horizontalrule-block sqs-block-horizontalrule" data-block-type="47"> <div class="sqs-block-content"> <hr /></div> </div> <div id="block-850fe52537c59a5596c1" class= "sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2"> <div class="sqs-block-content"> <p class=""><strong>Links</strong></p> <p class=""><a href= "https://mvlindsey.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/allen-bloom-the-republic.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Plato, The Republic (Online).</a></p> <p class=""><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780465094080" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Plato, The Republic (Book).</a></p> </div> </div>

Episode 100, Plato's Cave (Part I - Forms)

<p class="">A philosophical education can feel like a long and arduous path. Sometimes you think you have seen the light; you think that you have knowledge, only to discover you knew nothing. It is times like this where the learner must examine their blind spots and begin their path to understanding once again while accepting that the next attempt might too end where it began.</p> <p class="">The philosopher Plato likened this path to the ascent from a dark cave up into the light of the sun. He also said that those who have seen the illuminated world above have a responsibility to go back to show others the way. Today we go back, not because we have seen the sun, but because we have travelled the path enough to know we can do a little better than we did before. The blind leading the blind? Perhaps, but we might stumble into something interesting along the way.</p> <hr /> <div id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1625829807966_44928" class= "sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2"> <div class="sqs-block-content"> <p class="">With special thanks to the following creators for their sound samples.</p> <p class=""><a href= "https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/431117/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">InspectorJ</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/411791/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">InspectorJ(2)</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/353194/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">InspectorJ(3)</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/398702/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">InspectorJ(4)</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/straget/sounds/405423/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">straget</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/jameswrowles/sounds/207783/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">jameswrowles</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/JG_Booysen/sounds/353093/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">JG_Booysen</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/ethang/sounds/88795/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ethang</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/womb_affliction/sounds/330707/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">womb_affliction</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/bennychico11/sounds/44407/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">bennychico11</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/HerbertBoland/sounds/28239/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">HerbertBoland</a>, <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/ShadyDave/sounds/262259/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">ShadyDave</a>, and <a href= "https://freesound.org/people/3bagbrew/sounds/59569/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">3bagbrew</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1625829807966_44278" class= "sqs-block horizontalrule-block sqs-block-horizontalrule" data-block-type="47"> <div class="sqs-block-content"> <hr /></div> </div> <div id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1625829807966_54581" class= "sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2"> <div class="sqs-block-content"> <p class=""><strong>Contents</strong></p> <p class="">Part I. Forms</p> <p class="">Part II. Souls</p> </div> </div> <div id="block-21f4ccb5acc7344e070d" class= "sqs-block horizontalrule-block sqs-block-horizontalrule" data-block-type="47"> <div class="sqs-block-content"> <hr /></div> </div> <div id="block-3684c751e04b4809ccf0" class= "sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2"> <div class="sqs-block-content"> <p class=""><strong>Links</strong></p> <p class=""><a href= "https://mvlindsey.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/allen-bloom-the-republic.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Plato, The Republic (Online).</a></p> <p class=""><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780465094080" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Plato, The Republic (Book).</a></p> </div> </div>

Introduction It cannot have escaped your attention that there is a small contingent of our nation that poses a threat to our way of life. They want us to stop farming our most prized delicacy on the grounds of their ‘moral concerns’. We must not let them push us around. As you well know, it has always been an important part of our culture. Why should we assume that this small group of radicals have got it right and that our ancestors have all been wrong? Think of all the memories we’ve shared when eating the meat around the table with our families. It is a wonderful thing. Secondly, I have yet to come across anyone who doesn’t gain great satisfaction from the delicious taste of the meat. Whether it is in patties, ground mince or slices, it is enjoyed by billions every day. Imagine the backlash if we showed sympathy to the radicals! Think about all the businesses that rely on meat for their income. It would be political suicide. Finally, and most importantly, we must always remember the natural order of things. We are top of the food chain, and it is our right to exercise our dominion. Every test we have conducted on the creatures have proven them to be inferior, be it intelligence, strength, or a capacity to live what we’d all say is a fulfilling life. I know that you must feel the same; all I ask is for permission to deal with the radicals. Eating human meat should never be up for debate. Contents Part I. History Part II. Fellow Creatures Part III. Mere Instruments Part IV. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Carl Cohen, ‘Why Animals Have No Rights’. David DeGrazia, Animal Rights: A Very Short Introduction. Jonathan Safran Foer, Eating Animals. Lori Gruen, Entangled Empathy: An Alternative Ethic for Our Relationships with Animals. Christine M. Korsgaard, Fellow Creatures: Our Obligations to the Other Animals. Philip Lymbery, Farmageddon in Pictures: The True Cost of Cheap Meat. Mary Midgley, Animals and Why They Matter. Matthieu Ricard, A Plea for the Animals: The Moral, Philosophical, and Evolutionary Imperative to Treat All Beings with Compassion. Peter Singer, Animal Liberation.

Episode 99, Animal Rights (Part IV - Further Analysis and Discussion)

Episode 99, Animal Rights (Part III - Mere Instruments)

A weekly 'informal and informative' philosophy podcast inspiring and supporting students, teachers, academics and free-thinkers worldwide. All episodes are available at www.thepanpsycast.com.

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The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast

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