I’m joined by Judge Shawn Meyers, President Judge of Pennsylvania’s 39th Judicial District. Beyond the courtroom, Judge Meyers is a thoughtful mentor whose perspective bridges law, philosophy, and lived experience.

Episode in a 🌰: We talk about a myriad of answers to the question: foresight, invention, unpredictability, and the quest for objectivity. Along the way, we compare human reasoning to AI’s “hallucinations,” explore the role of law in shaping fairness, and wonder whether any other species has systems of law.

In season 2, I highlight one-to-one chats with teachers, professors, and mentors. The primary question for this entire season will remain the same: What makes a human, human?

TIMESTAMPS

​[00:00:14] Many possible answers to the human question

[00:02:00] Reasoning, memory, and the uniqueness of choice

​[00:05:15] Human foresight, invention, and unpredictability

​[00:07:26] AI vs. human unpredictability

​[00:10:39] Law, rules, and accuracy in reasoning

​[00:15:21] The challenge of striving for objectivity

​[00:18:23] Why humans need community and rules

​[00:21:24] Judge Meyer's struggle with objectivity

​[00:25:34] Final reflections on the diversity of answers

🥜 Hypothetical Nut of the Day

If other species could strive for objectivity the way humans do, how would their societies look different?

Hope you enjoyed the ep!