Aggie Agora

In this episode of the podcast, I talk with Professor John Symons.  Professor Symons is a professor of philosophy at the University of Kansas, and he works in metaphysics and the philosophy of technology.  In this discussion, we talk about the state of physicalism and emergence in contemporary metaphysics.

David Ménager, Ph. D. , Emerging Leader in Cognitive AI Systems, works for a non profit that works on how humans integrate with emerging tech. He talks with host Michael Otteson, from the Utah State University Philosophy Program about how artificial intelligence and neuro-networks process information. Does this process mimic when a human thinks? What differences? This deep dive approaches the question.

Michael Otteson and Damon Cann discuss the ups, downs, and challenges that face small towns like North Logan, Utah

Host Michael Otteson speaks with Christopher Blythe, the author of Terrible Revolution: Later-day Saints and the American Apocalypse. They cover a range of historic to modern prophecy and how it has played into the molding of many of not only main stream mormonism in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints but also many of its off shoots. What role does apocalyptic prophesy play and how central is it? How do members balance the beliefs of the world ending along side preparing for tomorrow? Christopher Blythe Studies just that.

Prof. Mark Damen, USU Classics, speaks to the nature of remakes throughout human history and how that may affect our view of the large amounts of remakes and reboots around us.

Host Michael Otteson and Prof. Patrick Belmont, Hydrologist and Geomorphologist at Utah State University, talk over what the water concerns of Utah are and how the Great Salt Lake changing creates a cascade of problems. Belmont discusses different approaches that have been considered and what people could do to make a difference.

This week, Anna Pechenkina, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Utah State University, joins Michael Otteson to discuss the complicated history of Russia and Ukraine's current conflict. This is the second part of a two-part discussion.

This week, Anna Pechenkina, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Utah State University, joins Michael Otteson to discuss the complicated history of Russia and Ukraine's current conflict. This is the first part of a two-part discussion.

This week, Michael Otteson is joined by Matthew Whitaker, the director of the Cache Valley Food Pantry, an organization which works to provide no-cost food to individuals and families in need throughout the Cache Valley community. Together, they discuss the concept of food pantries, what it takes for one to operate, and what they're working to accomplish.

Episode 4, Part 2:  This week on Aggie Agora, Michael Otteson is joined by Dr. Jordan Wood who specializes in the christian church fathers to discuss universalism, an issue found at the heart of one of the world's great religions.