The Problem with Reading

Michael Polanyi finally reveals his hand: "Commitment." Join the crew to pull together the threads of all the previous chapters and finally see how the monsters of skepticism and objectivism can be beaten by caring just a little bit more. Also, Stephen can't upload documents, Brevin likes spiced wine, and Sam goes garage-saling. Have a listen!

The Bioethics Just Keep Happening, and so we bring out Resident Bioethicist Alison back to talk through a selection of our group chat rantings over the past few years. AI, MAID, Leo's Encyclical, Freebirthing Movements, the metaphysics of dependence and care, and oh so much more. Have a listen!

The Problem With Reading tackles doubt, Resident Evil 9, and Shakespeare in the Park. Have a listen!

The Problem With Reading proceeds apace through Polanyi Chapter 8, finally getting to his positive project, and the core of knowledge he feels is safe to build from. Also, many shots at Mr. Alan Turing, his Test, and the fallacy of AI knowledge. For rants we have LASIK, shoe selection, and mandatory blackouts. Have a listen!

Special and longtime-coming Guest Mojo joins to discuss R. R. Reno's 2019 book "Return of the Strong Gods." In it, Reno argues that the Postwar Consensus after World War 2 substituted weak gods of openness in reaction to the ideological horrors that caused the conflict. But what happens when weak gods stick around too long and the consensus starts to fray? Stephen and Brevin have read about it, Mojo lived it, and everybody has something to rant (or romp) about, so have a listen!

Marxists, friendship, and how to fully commit while possibly being wrong! Polanyi keeps digging the hole deeper, but also starts to hint at his answer. Sam has a love-hate relationship with Ikea, Brevin is suffering seasonal heating mismatches, and everyone is having a good time. Have a listen!

The gents investigate their scientific passions and perils in this episode. Can we trust the beauty of reality to out, or will personal attacks prevail? Polanyi argues that intellectual passion is essential to the progress of science; but Sam just wants to talk about the Seahawks, and Stephen's lonely calculations are ruined by our computer overlords. Have a listen!

“Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi continues with questions of skills and language. In their real lives, the co-hosts might be lacking some skill. Stephen might have a DUI, Sam is fighting Big Insurance, and Brevin is switching his Internet Provider. Have a listen!

“Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi continues with questions of probability, information, randomness, and interpretation. While the search for the resolution to the seemingly intractable problem of subjective vs objective knowledge is important, everyone is keeping busy on the side: Stephen has a definitive analysis of the Resident Evil games to pitch, Brevin is meditating on nuclear nightmares, and Sam is listening to esoteric progressive rock. Have a listen!

Our next book is “Personal Knowledge” by Michael Polanyi. Polymath, chemist, philosophy of science and politics, Polanyi has the ambitious goal to rescue knowledge itself from the subjective/objective gulf. We’re going to have tacit knowledge, violins, the speed of light, and much, much more. Join us for this adventure!