A very interesting conversation between Ezra Klein and philosopher Peter Singer. The largest part is about his famous thought experiment and the moral imperative to give away most of what one earns. However, one side aspect towards the end of the podcast got me thinking in particular, where Singer makes the case against open borders. His argument: Immigration brings right wing leaders to power who then obstruct effective climate action – which is more urgent than open borders. I’m not sure yet whether I agree, but it’s a perspective that’s new to me.
From Weekly Filet #279, in January 2020.
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It’s time for the annual Edge question. I don’t suppose you have time to read all 206 answers, so let me suggest three to you I found especially thought-provoking: the premortem, naïve reality and Bayes’ theorem. I am, though, slightly disappointed that they failed to include the bullshit asymmetry.
From Weekly Filet #222, in January 2017.
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The advent of autonomous cars means we will finally need to answer a classic philosophical thought experiment for real.
From Weekly Filet #213, in June 2015.
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If you could buy one extra year of life, how much would you be willing to pay? That’s the starting point of a thought-provoking radio piece on drugs, drone strikes and bees.
From Weekly Filet #189, in January 2015.
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Free will — its existence or absence — has been a matter of heated debate for philosophers and neuroscientists for decades. Is free will, after all, a capacity of the brain that people can lose — and that can be given back to them by means of implants?
From Weekly Filet #178, in October 2014.
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