Accented Philosophy

Sports and Society

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss the ethics of sports in general. From whether sports benefit populations to drugs, doping and the problems of nationalism, it is surprising how many interesting moral issues are caused by sports!

Join us for a weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:00:44 Do the Olympics promote sports in society?
00:01:25 Are big sports events too competitive?
00:03:57 Competing against one’s previous self. Performance vs effort
00:11:38 Single-dimensional and multi-dimensional performance in sports
00:16:33 Doping and drugs in sport
00:17:57 Drugs in bodybuilding
00:20:39 Different kinds of drugs in sport
00:23:03 What is a performance-enhancing drug?
00:26:39 Hormone levels and transgender athletes
00:34:36 Equality, interchangeability and inclusiveness
00:39:04 Are big sports events good for the spectators?
00:41:53 Nationalism and patriotism in sports
00:45:18 Complicity through watching sports

Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts)

The Olympic Games

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss the ethics of the Olympics. From environmental problems to the protection of underage athletes, the Olympic Games cause a number of ethical problems that are worth discussing.

Join us for a weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:01:28 The cost of the Olympics
00:05:34 The infrastructure argument
00:07:24 The “white elephant” problem
00:08:27 The humanitarian costs of the Olympics
00:10:30 Olympics vs evacuation after floods
00:13:04 Who benefits from a forced relocation?
00:13:41 Justifications for paternalism
00:14:41 The undemocratic character of the Olympics
00:16:41 Equal access to benefits?
00:18:44 The invisible harm of the Olympics
00:20:37 The environmental costs
00:27:01 Decentralised or virtual Olympics?
00:29:39 International unity and cooperation?
00:31:19 The ethics of underage athletes and children celebrities
00:36:29 Competition, rewards and happiness
00:38:42 Paternalism and young athletes
00:49:33 The rational vs the right choice

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:13:41 Justifications for paternalism
00:36:29 Competition, rewards and happiness
00:38:42 Paternalism and young athletes

Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday

Human autonomy

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy ask what autonomy really is. What does it mean to be "free"? Are drug addicts free? And what is unique about human beings?

Join us for a weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:01:47 What is unique about humans?
00:06:39 Is everybody special?
00:08:51 Deontological ethics
00:09:27 Uniqueness and dignity
00:14:08 Are religious societies better?
00:15:59 Is freedom the absence of obstacles?
00:16:50 Meritocracy
00:19:08 Protestant work ethic
00:20:59 Autonomy
00:21:16 Harry Frankfurt (1929-) on autonomy
00:22:49 Addiction and freedom
00:26:47 Ronald Dworkin (1931-2013)
00:28:06 Autonomy as the capacity to question one’s will
00:28:45 Orthonomy (Pettit and Smith 1993)
00:32:20 Relational autonomy
00:34:50 Autonomy and the technological world
00:36:52 Is capitalism the real problem?
00:39:20 What is the human brain for?

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:08:51 Deontological ethics
00:16:50 Meritocracy
00:21:16 Harry Frankfurt (1929-) on autonomy
00:26:47 Ronald Dworkin (1931-2013)
00:28:45 Orthonomy (Pettit and Smith 1993)
00:32:20 Relational autonomy

Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts :))

Technology and Freedom

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy ask how technology affects our freedom. Are we free to choose particular technologies? Are we free to reject them? And is democracy powerful enough to deal with technology?

Join us for a weekly dose of Daily Philosophy!

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:01:52 What is technology?
00:02:21 Gutenberg's printing press (~1440) and its effects
00:02:45 Ian Mortimer: Human Race: 10 Centuries of Change on Earth
00:04:48 Plato, ancient Greek philosopher (428-348 BC) on writing
00:05:06 Plato, Pheadrus (on writing)
00:07:55 Can we predict the effects of technologies?
00:09:15 Obvious and non-obvious effects
00:11:56 Precautionary principle
00:15:06 Technology itself vs its use
00:16:29 What is a technology?
00:20:37 Tools vs machines
00:22:26 E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful
00:22:49 Lewis Mumford (1895-1990)
00:25:54 Becoming a slave to the machine
00:26:59 Machines and social power
00:28:01 Bruno Latour (1947-)
00:28:39 Invisible regulation and democracy
00:30:58 Machines as unyielding and blind agents
00:32:03 Ransomware
00:34:15 The blindness of bureaucracy
00:39:06 The importance of social reputation
00:43:11 The inhumanity of supermarkets
00:45:21 Charlie Chaplin: Modern times (movie)

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:02:45 Ian Mortimer: Human Race: 10 Centuries of Change on Earth
00:04:48 Plato, ancient Greek philosopher (428-348 BC) on writing
00:05:06 Plato, Pheadrus (on writing)
00:11:56 Precautionary principle
00:22:26 E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful
00:22:49 Lewis Mumford (1895-1990)
00:28:01 Bruno Latour (1947-)

Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (or thereabouts :)).

Work, Leisure and Fulfilment

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy continue their discussion of topics from E. F. Schumacher's famous 1973 book "Small is Beautiful". We unpack the main theses of the book that relate to the effects of technology on work, leisure and meaning and look whether they are still valid 50 years later.

Join us for an hour-long dose of your Daily Philosophy and explore with us one of the most influential books of the 70s.

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:01:02 E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful
00:01:15 Schumacher on developmental aid
00:05:18 Is developmental aid colonialist?
00:08:54 Localisation instead of globalisation
00:10:56 Do we always know what’s good for us?
00:13:19 Do technologies force us to use them?
00:16:19 Frankfurt: Second-order desires
00:22:58 Does technology deprive us of meaning?
00:23:19 E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful
00:23:45 Buddhist economics
00:25:55 Do we naturally enjoy working?
00:28:06 Luddism: rejection of technologies
00:30:02 Is an easier life always good?
00:35:03 David Graeber (2018): Bullshit Jobs
00:38:47 Unemployment and shorter work
00:48:41 The imperative to be productive
00:49:42 Erich Fromm (1900-1980)
00:50:30 Different kinds of leisure activities
00:53:37 Virtue ethics
00:53:54 What are “valuable” leisure activities?
01:03:13 Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
01:04:11 Epicurus: Trouble in the soul (see article on daily-philosophy.com!)

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:01:02 E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful
00:16:19 Frankfurt: Second-order desires
00:23:45 Buddhist economics
00:35:03 David Graeber (2018): Bullshit Jobs
00:49:42 Erich Fromm (1900-1980)
01:03:13 Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
01:04:11 Epicurus: Trouble in the soul (see article on daily-philosophy.com!)

Next episode: Technology and Freedom

Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday (almost).

Small is Beautiful - Economics as if people mattered

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss E. F. Schumacher's famous 1973 book "Small is Beautiful". We unpack the main theses of the book and look whether they are still valid 50 years later.

Join us for an hour-long dose of your Daily Philosophy and explore with us one of the most influential books of the 70s.

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:01:31 Globalisation and its effects
00:02:28 Types of globalisation
00:05:05 “Monoculture” argument
00:08:42 Can we justify economic inequality?
00:10:45 Robert Nozick (1938-2002)
00:12:26 Earth’s resources are limited
00:13:01 Small countries and globalisation
00:14:31 Globalisation threatens diversity
00:15:39 The lost diversity of languages
00:17:56 How language influences content
00:20:50 Big countries are more dangerous
00:22:55 Globalisation and peace
00:24:31 Does globalisation help the poor?
00:29:28 Media monopolies
00:34:38 Problems of foreign aid
00:38:05 City life and individualism
00:42:33 Labourers and digital nomads
00:47:05 The meaning of work
00:47:22 Karl Marx: Alienation
00:50:57 Universal Basic Income
00:53:40 Meaning and work
01:02:11 The power of corporations

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:10:45 Robert Nozick (1938-2002)
00:47:22 Karl Marx: Alienation

Next episode: Can we Control Technology?

Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday.

What is Deep Ecology?

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss Deep Ecology. What is it, where does the idea come from, and is it always clear what the theory demands of us?

Join us for an hour-long dose of your Daily Philosophy and explore with us the philosophical issues surrounding deep ecology.

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:00:11 Deep ecology
00:00:36 Shallow and deep ecology
00:02:33 Anthropocentrism
00:05:26 Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
00:07:37 Arne Naess (1912-2009)
00:08:08 Self-realisation
00:13:04 The myth of Prometheus
00:17:35 Fair consumption of resources
00:20:20 Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)
00:21:49 Peter Singer
00:22:48 Utilitarianism
00:23:37 Life’s will to survive -- life vs consciousness
00:25:27 Is there a “right to life”?
00:26:09 “Chimeras”: see prev. episode of this podcast!
00:27:07 The eight principles of Deep Ecology
00:29:58 Speciesism
00:31:30 Preserving diversity
00:36:43 What are “vital human needs”?
00:42:19 The need to decrease the human population
00:44:12 Deontological ethics
00:46:26 Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)
00:48:01 Population control policies
00:48:18 China’s one-child policy
00:52:51 Quality of life vs material standard of life
00:55:30 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
00:56:54 Do we have an obligation to act?
00:58:14 Peter Singer: Drowning child argument
01:01:45 Eco-feminism
01:02:00 Rationalism and false dichotomies

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:00:36 Shallow and deep ecology
00:02:33 Anthropocentrism
00:05:26 Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
00:07:37 Arne Naess (1912-2009)
00:13:04 The myth of Prometheus
00:20:20 Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)
00:21:49 Peter Singer
00:22:48 Utilitarianism
00:29:58 Speciesism
00:44:12 Deontological ethics
00:46:26 Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)
00:55:30 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
00:58:14 Peter Singer: Drowning child argument
01:01:45 Eco-feminism

Next episode: Small is Beautiful - Sustainable Economics

Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday.

Nudges - The Hidden Influencers

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss nudges, hidden, often subconscious forces that try to steer our decisions. What really are nudges? What is the relationship of nudges to freedom of choice and human autonomy? Are nudges making us unable to navigate our own decisions?

Join us for an hour-long dose of your Daily Philosophy and explore with us the philosophical issues surrounding human decision-making.

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:00:20 What are nudges?
00:05:28 Soft and hard nudges
00:07:25 Are nudges good for us?
00:11:01 Individual vs population-level nudges
00:12:14 The idea of a general “good”
00:13:14 Resisting nudges
00:14:40 Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein
00:16:42 Manipulation in supermarkets
00:17:21 Product design as a nudge
00:20:53 Greenwashing
00:22:58 Do we know what is “good”?
00:24:49 Libertarian paternalism
00:27:27 Nudges help us make rational choices
00:28:50 Democratic regulation of nudges
00:32:25 Is there a right to make bad decisions?
00:32:40 Moral atrophy
00:35:05 Deterrence as nudging
00:36:25 Libertarian paternalism’s “third way”
00:37:15 Paternalism
00:38:37 Rational decision-making
00:40:22 Are we ever free from nudges?
00:42:37 Better alternatives to nudging?
00:43:15 Nudges don’t address the root problem
00:45:35 Structural changes instead of nudges?
00:46:44 Are prohibitions desirable?
00:48:52 Are we rational enough?
00:49:22 Human ethology, Konrad Lorenz (1903-1989)
00:52:28 Is the right choice always rational?
00:57:16 Immanuel Kant, Enlightenment
00:58:49 Visit us at daily-philosophy.com!

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:14:40 Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein
00:24:49 Libertarian paternalism
00:36:25 Libertarian paternalism’s “third way”
00:37:15 Paternalism
00:49:22 Human ethology, Konrad Lorenz (1903-1989)
00:57:16 Immanuel Kant, Enlightenment

Next episode: Deep Ecology

Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday.

What is anarchism?

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss anarchism. What does the word really mean? What is the relationship of anarchism to liberalism, free markets and the visions of communism? And is an anarchist state compatible with personal freedom and flourishing?

Join us for an hour-long dose of your Daily Philosophy and explore with us the philosophical issues surrounding anarchism and the ideal society.

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:00:30 What is anarchism?
00:03:25 Marxism and anarchism
00:05:20 Self-determination and rules
00:06:06 Was the Wild West an anarchist society?
00:06:45 The problem of justice, vigilantism
00:08:17 Is the free market an anarchist model?
00:10:05 Policing the anarchist society
00:12:20 The anarchy of the Internet
00:17:40 Free speech in the anarchist society
00:25:42 What is anarchist education?
00:31:42 Discuss with us! Leave a comment!
00:32:42 History of anarchism
00:32:51 Social contract
00:33:49 Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
00:34:00 Is property theft?
00:34:45 Jean-Jacques Rousseau
00:40:25 Darwinism and cooperation
00:41:00 Pyotr Alexeyevich Kropotkin
00:42:18 Are we cooperative by nature?
00:43:40 Confucianism
00:45:15 Kantian argument for anarchism
00:48:08 Anarchism and libertarianism
00:51:40 Examples of anarchic societies
00:52:52 Paris commune (1871), Amish and monks
00:58:17 What is the point of anarchism?
01:02:26 Autonomy and second-order autonomy
01:04:05 Autonomy vs freedom: Odysseus and the Sirens

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:32:51 Social contract
00:33:49 Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
00:34:45 Jean-Jacques Rousseau
00:40:25 Darwinism and cooperation
00:41:00 Pyotr Alexeyevich Kropotkin
00:43:40 Confucianism
00:45:15 Kantian argument for anarchism

Next episode: Technological nudges and human flourishing

Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday.

Terrorism and violence in politics

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss politically motivated violence. Is there ever a justification for terrorism? Does the state have a right to use violence against its citizens? Does the end justify the means? And what can we learn from the "yellow vest" protests in France?

Join us for an hour-long dose of your Daily Philosophy and explore with us the philosophical issues surrounding terrorism and violence in politics.

Brought to you by https://daily-philosophy.com.
Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:01:14 Collective vs individual use of violence
00:02:16 Terrorism vs wars
00:03:45 Definition of terrorism
00:05:16 Does the state have a right to employ force?
00:06:27 Thomas Hobbes on violence
00:07:32 Hobbes and violent uprisings
00:10:38 John Locke on resistance
00:11:48 Jean-Jacques Rousseau on natural rights
00:12:57 Thomas Jefferson on rebellion
00:13:30 US gun debate
00:16:14 Mistrust towards the government
00:19:04 John Stuart Mill on freedom and political violence
00:21:00 Limits of democracy
00:23:31 Yellow vests protests in France
00:27:04 Marx on violence and harm
00:27:48 Innocent victims vs symbols of oppression
00:32:16 Are agents of the state legitimate targets?
00:34:11 The state should have higher moral standards
00:36:49 Justification from necessity and JS Mill
00:40:17 Means and ends in ethics
00:42:12 Oppressive violence and freeing violence
00:45:21 Extinction rebellion, Greenpeace
00:50:02 Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski and eco terrorism
00:53:34 Does the end justify the means?
00:55:23 Environmental protection and social justice
00:58:00 Nonviolent protest and Mahatma Gandhi
01:02:44 Can people be symbols of oppression?
01:03:47 Kant: Treating persons as ends
01:04:09 Conclusion: Making sure that we don’t need violence

Philosophers and theories mentioned:

00:06:27 Thomas Hobbes on violence
00:07:32 Hobbes and violent uprisings
00:10:38 John Locke on resistance
00:11:48 Jean-Jacques Rousseau on natural rights
00:12:57 Thomas Jefferson on rebellion
00:19:04 John Stuart Mill on freedom and political violence
00:27:04 Marx on violence and harm
00:36:49 Justification from necessity and JS Mill
00:50:02 Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski and eco terrorism
00:58:00 Nonviolent protest and Mahatma Gandhi
01:03:47 Kant: Treating persons as ends

Next episode: What is Anarchism?

Accented Philosophy - Every Tuesday.