The Uncommon Wisdom Podcast

By Jimmy Alfonso Licon

What's The Uncommon Wisdom Podcast about?

This podcast explores uncommon wisdom through conversations and interviews with some of the most interesting people around. Do not miss out.

jimmyalfonsolicon.substack.com

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The Uncommon Wisdom Podcast episodes:

07.07.2023
#28 | Eric Schwitzgebel | Don't Be a Jerk
In this episode, Eric Schwitzgebel and I discuss topics like his theory of jerks, moral mediocrity, death bed regrets, the extent of our conscious experience, and much more besides. Eric Schwitzgebel is Professor of Philosophy at University of California,...
05.26.2023
#27 | Morris Kleiner | A License to Exclude
In this episode, Prof. Morris Kleiner and I discuss the nature of occupational licensing, why occupational licensing is more about excluding competition than quality or competence, why licensing requirements need to be reformed, and much more besides. Everything you wanted...
04.17.2023
#26 | Robin Hanson | Prediction Markets
In this episode, Robin and I discuss the nature of prediction (read: betting) markets, how they originated, how they work, and how such markets could be used to solve any number of social and policy problems we face. Robin Hanson...
04.12.2023
#25 | Robin Hanson | Hidden Motives Everywhere
In this episode, Robin and I discuss the fact that we don’t know our own minds nearly as well as we think, how practices like laughter and charity are often more about impressing others, the inefficacy of healthcare spending on...
07.06.2022
#24 | Antony Davies | America, the Bankrupt
In this episode, Antony and I discuss inflation and shortages, monetary and fiscal policy, and whether, in the long term, the bankruptcy of the Federal government would be something positive. Antony Davies is Associate Professor of Economics at the...
06.23.2022
#23 | Donald Bruckner | On Gun Control
In this episode, Donald and I discuss the best arguments for and against gun control, the implications of gun control, and how gun control relates to regulating alcohol. Donald Bruckner is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Penn State University, and...
06.17.2022
#22 | Dan Shahar | The Ethics of Eating Meat
In this episode, Dan and I discuss the ethics of eating meat, and why vegetarianism and veganism aren’t as morally straightforward as many people think. Dan Shahar is a Professor of Philosophy at University of New Orleans, and the author...
05.26.2022
#21 | Emrys Westtacott | Unlikely Virtues and Goodness
In this episode, Emrys and I discuss the virtuous aspects of vices such as gossip and disrespecting the views and beliefs of others, the value of frugality, and much more. Professor Emrys Westacott is a professor of Philosophy at Alfred...
05.04.2022
#20 | Kevin Time | Freedom, Suffering, and Agency
In this episode, Kevin and I discuss the issue of free will, the evidential problem of evil, the nature of character traits, the contours of agency, and much more. Kevin Timpe is the William H. Jellema Chair in Christian...
04.19.2022
#19 | Frank Hoenig | Cheap Money, Higher Prices
In this episode, Tom and I discuss monetary policy, why inflation is bad and unlikely to abate in the near term, how cheap money erodes prosperity, crypto-currencies, and much more. Thomas Hoenig is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Mercatus...
03.22.2022
#18 | Larry M. | Recovering from Alcoholism
In this episode, Larry M and I discuss his journey from alcoholism to recovery, insights and tools he gained in recovery like acceptance and gratitude, the role of a higher power in the process of recovery, and much more. ...
03.09.2022
#17 | Phil Magness | Critiquing the 1619 Project
In this episode, Phil and I discuss the 1619 Project, its virtues and vices, the New History of Capitalism, apply Public Choice theory to slavery, and more besides. Phil W. Magness is an economic historian whose work explores the intersection...
02.28.2022
#16 | Michael Munger | Crony Capitalism & The Platform Economy
In this episode, Michael and I discuss the ethics of price gouging, the tendency of democratic capitalist societies toward cronyism, the platform economy, the distinction between directionalism and destinationism in politics, and much more. Michael C. Munger Professor of Political...
02.15.2022
#15 | Crossover Episode of Minds Almost Meeting on Asceticism
In this episode, I moderate a discussion between Robin Hanson (economist, George Mason University) and Agnes Callard (philosopher, The University of Chicago) and focused on the nature of asceticism on their podcast Minds Almost Meeting. Get full access to...
02.09.2022
#14 | Tomas Bogardus | On Mind and Religious Belief
In this episode, Tomas and I discuss whether the mind is just matter or something more, the contingency of religious belief, and many things philosophy besides. Tomas Bogardus is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Pepperdine University. He works mainly...
01.18.2022
#13 | Michael Beckley | The Exaggerated Rise of China
In this episode, Prof. Michael Beckley and I discuss China’s financial and military strength relative to the United States, why China’s rise looks exaggerated and misunderstood, and why a weaker-than-expected China may be more dangerous than a dominant China. Michael...
12.06.2021
#12 | Victor Davis Hanson | Rethinking World War II
On the Eve of the Anniversary of Pearl Harbor in the United States of America, I interviewed the historian Victor Davis Hanson. In this brief interview, we discuss some myths and misconceptions about World War II, largely revolving around the...
11.22.2021
#11 | Liz Jackson | On Belief, Hope, and Faith
In this episode, Liz and I discuss the rationality of faith, reasons and evidence for the existence of God, whether Pascal’s Wager is a bad bet, and many other interesting topics. Liz Jackson is an Assistant Professor in the Department...
11.16.2021
#10 | Bryan Caplan | Status Quo Waste
In this episode, Bryan and I discuss why voters are largely uninformed and irrational, the signaling theory of higher education, the case for open borders, and the role and value of failure in life. Bryan Caplan is Professor of Economics...
11.08.2021
#9 | Chris Kaiser | Labor Market Economics
In this episode, Chris and I discuss labor markets as markets, profit and wage motives, labor shortages, the plausibility of Universal Basic Income (UBI), and many other labor related topics. This is an especially relevant episode given the current economic...
11.01.2021
#8 | Chris Freiman | Politics is Terrible
Prof. Freiman and I discuss the importance of elections, whether one can complain if they didn’t vote, the (dis)value of political participation, free-riding in a democracy, the fact that so many voters are poorly informed, and much more. Prof. Christopher...
10.26.2021
#7 | Peter Boettke | Economics for a Better World
Prof. Boettke and I discussed Austrian economics, the nature of incentives and why they matter, what philosophers and economists can learn from each other, whether free markets can hold as the West loses faith in them, and a whole lot...
10.18.2021
#6 | Tyler Cowen | Everything But the Kitchen Sink
Prof. Cowen and I had an interview on topics ranging from economic growth as a moral imperative, the nature of UFOs, whether rent seeking is a drain on the economy, and whether Plato, pumpkin spice, and the Founding Fathers are...
10.11.2021
#5 | Evan Westra | Our Social Lives
Prof. Westra and I discuss his decision to become a philosopher, why gut feelings can be a better approach to decision-making than weighing pros and cons, why people are bad at predicting what they will want in the future, the...
10.04.2021
#4 | Peter Jaworski | Blood Plasma Markets Save Lives
In this episode, Prof. Jaworski and I discuss the relationship between business and ethics, the ethical scope of the marketplace, and various objections to the practice of paying people for blood plasma—a market that undoubtedly saves numerous lives. Peter...
09.27.2021
#3 | Dr. Jay Bhattacharya | Pandemic Myths
In this episode, Dr. Bhattacharya and I discuss various aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic: the differences between the Alpha and Delta strains, whether vaccine policy is more about paternalism than public health, the efficacy of both mask wearing and the...
09.20.2021
#2 | Christian Miller | Our Sucky Moral Character
In this episode, Prof. Miller and I discuss the value of good character, the empirical evidence showing that most of us are morally mediocre (not too good; not too bad), what steps we can take to develop better character, whether...
09.07.2021
#1 | Travis Timmerman | Ethics, Altruism, and Boredom in Heaven
In this inaugural podcast episode, Prof. Timmerman and I discuss how he became a professional philosopher, the work of the most famous living philosopher Peter Singer, effective altruism, the ethics of sweatshops, and whether heaven would be boring, among other...

What's The Uncommon Wisdom Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Uncommon Wisdom Podcast episodes:

#28 | Eric Schwitzgebel | Don't Be a Jerk

#27 | Morris Kleiner | A License to Exclude

#26 | Robin Hanson | Prediction Markets

#25 | Robin Hanson | Hidden Motives Everywhere

#24 | Antony Davies | America, the Bankrupt

#23 | Donald Bruckner | On Gun Control

#22 | Dan Shahar | The Ethics of Eating Meat

#21 | Emrys Westtacott | Unlikely Virtues and Goodness

#20 | Kevin Time | Freedom, Suffering, and Agency

#19 | Frank Hoenig | Cheap Money, Higher Prices

#18 | Larry M. | Recovering from Alcoholism

#17 | Phil Magness | Critiquing the 1619 Project

#16 | Michael Munger | Crony Capitalism & The Platform Economy

#15 | Crossover Episode of Minds Almost Meeting on Asceticism

#14 | Tomas Bogardus | On Mind and Religious Belief

#13 | Michael Beckley | The Exaggerated Rise of China

#12 | Victor Davis Hanson | Rethinking World War II

#11 | Liz Jackson | On Belief, Hope, and Faith

#10 | Bryan Caplan | Status Quo Waste

#9 | Chris Kaiser | Labor Market Economics

#8 | Chris Freiman | Politics is Terrible

#7 | Peter Boettke | Economics for a Better World

#6 | Tyler Cowen | Everything But the Kitchen Sink

#5 | Evan Westra | Our Social Lives

#4 | Peter Jaworski | Blood Plasma Markets Save Lives

#3 | Dr. Jay Bhattacharya | Pandemic Myths

#2 | Christian Miller | Our Sucky Moral Character

#1 | Travis Timmerman | Ethics, Altruism, and Boredom in Heaven