Business (Audio)

This program aims to recover Plato’s idea of craft or art, Greek technê, in the expansive sense which includes not only the handicrafts but skilled practices from housebuilding to navigation. Rachel Barney, professor of philosophy at the University of Toronto, examines Plato and other Greek thinkers who were fascinated by the craft model: the idea that both the moral virtue of the good person and the political widom of the expert ruler are — or could be made into — skilled practices as reliable as shoemaking or carpentry. Similar ideas appear in classical Chinese philosophy, developed in very different ways by Daoist and Confucian thinkers. In our time, craft is in a bad way: marginalized in theory and everywhere endangered in practice. Ancient thinkers can help us to see what remains valuable and urgent about craft today, and what a reinvigorated understanding of it might contribute to our ethical and political thought. Crafts to be considered include carpentry, medicine, drawing, film editing, the ‘multicraft’ of the restaurant, tennis, and traditional Polynesian navigation. Philosophical points of reference, in addition to Plato, Aristotle, Zhuangzi, and Xunzi, include Murdoch, MacIntyre, Korsgaard, and the Hart-Fuller debate, as well as literary reflections from Kazuo Ishiguro and Cormac McCarthy. Barney is joined by Adam Gopnik, Rachana Kamtekar, Christine Korsgaard, and Alexander Nehamas to discuss the topic of craft. Series: "Tanner Lectures on Human Values" [Humanities] [Business] [Show ID: 39865]

What is a craft? For Plato, paradigmatic craft-practitioners include the doctor, carpenter and navigator; an updated, more generous conception should include the dancer, coder, waitress, painter, chef, professional athlete, and firefighter. Rachel Barney, professor of philosophy at the University of Toronto, discusses how each of these skilled practices is oriented to the achievement of a distinctive end, the goodness of which is independent of the self-interest or inclinations of the practitioner. This Platonic conception of craft as involving disinterested teleological rationality can explain how craft sets objective norms for correct action, and for the excellence of the practitioner. And it shows that to master a craft is not merely to acquire knowledge or skills but to take on the ‘internal standpoint’ definitive of the craft, internalizing its values and treating its reasons for action as authoritative. Barney is joined by Adam Gopnik and Rachana Kamtekar for commentary on the topic of craft. Series: "Tanner Lectures on Human Values" [Humanities] [Business] [Show ID: 39863]

Especially when practiced as a line of work — as a job or métier — craft sets norms for its practitioners. On the whole, a shoemaker should try to be a good shoemaker, and the good person who is a shoemaker routinely does just that. But what kind of ‘should’ is this, and what could connect these two kinds of goodness? Rachel Barney, professor of philosophy at the University of Toronto, examines prominent philosophical conceptions of craft, ancient and modern, offer wildly various explanations of its normative authority. The picture is complicated by the way in which craft-as-work is paradigmatic both for successful practical reason and for social roles or practical identities in general. But the most fundamental source of craft’s normativity is the one which Plato and Aristotle bring out: the fact that, when practised as a job or métier, practicing your craft can be a way to realize the human good. And so thinking about craft turns out to be a way of thinking about Utopia: a society in which a just distribution of work could secure both the flourishing of the worker and the common good. Barney is joined by Christine Korsgaard and Alexander Nehamas for commentary on the topic of craft. Series: "Tanner Lectures on Human Values" [Humanities] [Business] [Show ID: 39864]

In this program, Professor Martin Hilbert, Chair of Computational Social Sciences at UC Davis, discusses AI and ethical policy-making. He looks at the tradeoffs between unimaginable wealth and existential risks, and new roles for human minds. Series: "UC Center Sacramento" [Public Affairs] [Business] [Show ID: 39708]

Pedro Manrique discusses the evolving landscape of work, emphasizing the importance of asynchronous collaboration across time zones and the integration of AI as a tool to enhance productivity. He highlights the need to embrace disruption and technology while maintaining a human-centric approach. Manrique envisions a future where traditional retirement fades, replaced by dynamic career paths and diverse revenue streams. He encourages viewing jobs as portfolios of revenue, advocating for continuous learning, emotional intelligence, and high cultural awareness. Manrique’s insights offer a roadmap for navigating the future of work with adaptability and innovation. Series: "Career Channel" [Business] [Show ID: 39671]

In this program, Professor Matthew Harding distills the current state of the economic literature on AI, explores the major industries in California that are likely to be impacted by AI, and considers gaps that could hinder California’s ability to manage and harness the potential benefits of an AI-led boom.

Series: "UC Center Sacramento" [Public Affairs] [Business] [Show ID: 39652]

The dramatic housing shortage in California affects millions of residents and leads thousands to homelessness. The 2024 Arthur N. Rupe Great Debate addresses this issue by asking, “Is Housing a Human Right?” If so, our state faces a massive undertaking. Experts with diverse specialties and experiences wrestle with some of our biggest challenges. How, for example, can we build low and moderate income housing when construction costs are high and community opposition is often present? How can people experiencing homelessness be moved to shelter and housing? [Public Affairs] [Business] [Show ID: 39667]

Eager to embark on a brewing career? Join Charles W. Bamforth, Glen Patrick Fox, Lindsey Barr, Jonathan Hughes, and Kelly Nielsen as they delve into the essential skills required for success in the dynamic world of beer. From mastering sensory studies to honing problem-solving abilities, discover how an understanding of brewing science can unlock boundless opportunities in the industry. Series: "Career Channel" [Business] [Show ID: 39601]

Thinking about changing careers and have an interest in brewing? Have you considered getting into the brewing industry? Kelly Nielsen, Ph.D, discusses the expanding field of brewing, the pathways into a career in the brewing industry, and the skills you will need to be successful. Series: "Career Channel" [Business] [Show ID: 39082]

The nation's largest public pension firm is the California Public Employee's Retirement System, known as CalPERS. Its CEO, Marcie Frost, speaks with the Financial Times' U.S. Managing Editor Peter Spiegel about managing the mission-driven retirement fund for California's public employees as part of the UC Davis-Financial Times Biz Quiz 2023. Series: "UC Davis Graduate School of Management's Executive Speakers and Special Events" [Business] [Show ID: 39564]