Ben Stiller's superb series, Severance, raises fascinating questions about the nature of personal identity. Are we minds or brains? Is it possible for two persons to inhabit the same body? And can a person survive gaps in their existence?

What do anti-semites and ultra-orthodox Jews have in common? How did the ivy league discriminate against Jews? Is America still a safe haven for Jews? Follow Mark's work on https://markoppenheimer.substack.com/

[00:00] Introduction and Confession

[00:17] The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting

[03:59] Historical Context of Jewish Persecution

[07:15] Understanding Antisemitism

[13:38] Antisemitism and Bigotry

[25:53] Jewish Identity and Group Affinity

[35:04] Jewish Humor and Self-Deprecation

[38:14] Jews in the Ivy League: A Historical Perspective

[41:14] Direct vs. Indirect Discrimination

[46:34] Affirmative Action and Quotas

[55:59] The Complexity of Anti-Zionism

[01:02:19] Concluding Thoughts on Jewish Identity

Oxford University Press refused to publish Alex Byrne's book on gender. We discuss whether women are adult human females and whether sex is the same as gender.

Is sex work actually work? Is prostitution always a form of exploitation? And show we legalize or decriminalize prostitution?

[00:00] Introduction and Opening Remarks

Is the restriction on having additional sexual or romantic partners similar to the restriction on having additional friends? Should you allow your partner to be free to pursue other partners? And are we able to overcome the jealousy associated with non-monogamy?

[00:00] Introduction to the Debate on Monogamy

[00:11] Thought Experiment: Friendship Restrictions

[03:17] Defending Monogamy: Common Arguments

[06:35] The Morality of Consensual Restrictions

[13:53] Exploring the Concept of Exclusivity

[18:54] Workplace Analogies and Monogamy

[22:45] Balancing Risks and Benefits

[29:44] Questioning Monogamy's Blanket Ban

[33:50] Forms of Non-Monogamous Relationships

[37:52] Addressing Jealousy and Insecurity

[47:42] Social Implications of Non-Monogamy

[54:42] Monogamy vs. Non-Monogamy as Orientations

Is observing people in a public space from the privacy of your home an infringement of their rights? Can the widespread use of CCTV cameras be justified, or does it violate their privacy? And how do technological developments affect the delicate balance between safety and privacy?

Are there different kinds of bullshit? Do bullshitters know they are full of it? What should we do to stem the tide?

[00:00] Introduction

Can the definition of privilege be nuanced enough to address the broad range of individual experiences and historical contexts? Does recognizing and discussing privilege lead to meaningful social change? Or does talk of privilege oversimplify complex issues?

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?

Stephen Maitzen argues that the world is deterministic. But if all of our choices are determined, how should we understand free will, the meaning of life, and regret?  

Read Maitzen’s Book here:

https://www.routledge.com/Determinism-Death-and-Meaning/Maitzen/p/book/9781032134185

[00:00] Introduction to Determinism and Thought Experiment

[00:15] Clark Griswold's Christmas Lights: A Lesson in Determinism

[04:01] Probabilistic Explanations vs. Deterministic Explanations

[05:06] The Limits of Probabilistic Explanations

[12:47] Human Behavior and Determinism

[17:26] Infinite Regress and Brute Facts

[20:31 ] Time Travel and Determinism

[28:20] The Role of Deliberation in Determinism

[29:24] Forward-Looking Rationality and Regret

[30:50] Libertarian vs. Determinist Deliberation

[32:00] Compatibilism and the Illusion of Free Will

[33:53] The Rationality of Regret in Determinism

[37:41] Counterfactuals and Deterministic Implications

[44:40] Determinism and the Meaning of Life

[47:56] Libertarianism and Disrupting the Causal Chain

[55:13] Compatibilist Responses to Libertarian Objections

[59:22] Final Thoughts