Emma•ism

In this episode, manipulability in the conclave voting procedure is discussed. Rest in peace to Pope Francis. This podcast comes as a discussion of the aggregation method used by cardinals in electing the next pope. The sequential supermajority voting system allows for manipulability at several levels, where there are clear cases when cardinals (voters) have incentive to falsify or misrepresent their preferences. While supermajority rule can seem to numbers-wise (dictated by ‘experts' in the faith) give a strong mandate for papal infallibility, potential for manipulability seems to contradict that consequential mandate.

In this episode, it is argued that the causal efficacy of an act is what matters to its evaluation, not its auspiciousness. Discussion of decision theories of Jeffrey and Savage are what motivates that claim. Further, an example of the Borough Market sandwich stand provides a nice illustration of act evaluation in practice.

In this episode, it is argued that no-platforming should be opposed on purely epistemic grounds because it deprives students of epistemic benefits that would have been realized had the contrarian (cancelled academic) been allowed to speak. This is motivated by raising the specific epistemic focus of higher education institutes. Also, the contrarian's ability to push ‘apprentice'-like students to more deeply understand their axiomatic adherence in the discipline, their live intellectual agency, and paradigmatic display of epistemic humility all support the argument.

In this episode, it is argued that it is not a reasonable goal for cooperative game theory to try to find a single privileged solution concept for bargaining games. Moreover, if it is a reasonable goal of cooperative game theory to try to find a single, unequivocal solution concept for bargaining games, then there would not be persisting and jutified irreconcilable variance in opinions about tradeoffs in agreement structure. To motivate this, theoretical convergence in quantum mechanics on the Schrödinger equation is discussed, and Nash, Kalai-Smordinsky, and Utilitarian solution concepts are raised.

In this episode, mechanisms and research are discussed. The question, ‘if we have a randomized control trial (RCT), can we do without knowledge of a mechanism?' is answered. It is held that mechanisms do make a substantive difference to the optimization of a RCT. This is defended through two cases — the failed Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Phase 3 trials in 2024 ran by Sarepta Therapeutics and Pfizer and the daptomycin 2005 trial to test its efficacy in patients Gram-positive community acquired pneumonia. Nancy Cartwright's INUS contributors are put forth as a potential objection. However, an as-complete-as-possible concept of mechanistic understanding and reasoning is advocated for ultimately.

In this episode, philosopher Ian Peeble's 2021 article, “To Race or Not to Race: A Normative Debate in the Philosophy of Race,” is discussed. An argument is put forth that Peeble's argument for the morally permissible use of race in medicine is not deductively sound. This opinion is held as I believe that Peebles misses an important fourth necessary condition for the permissible use of race in medicine — the patient consent requirement.

In this episode, the resurgence of the traditional wife lifestyle on social media is examined. The recent outrage from women about this lifestyle and the receiving opposing reaction to that outrage is discussed. It is held that this reception boils down to the perception that these tradwives could be experiencing a case of adaptive preference that limits their boundless freedom (that which is the aim of a transcendent existence). Even if it might not be the case that these tradwives suffer from seeing other possibilities as “sour grapes,” the second issue of internalized toxic femininity is discussed. Generally, we should be conscious of the kind of content we choose to consume and how we shape our preferences and choose to act based on new information we learn from interactions with others. The bottom line here is that we should be aiming for a vision beyond capabilities: a world in which “throwing like a girl” is meaningless because there is no particular way girls throw.

In this episode, an argument is put forth asserting that the baramin is a Boydian Natural Kind within the disciplinary matrix of baraminology. Listen to find out how this aspect of creation science seems to satisfy the epistemic access and accommodation conditions that Richard Boyd advanced in his 1999 work “Homeostasis, Species, and Higher Taxa.”

In this episode, it is held that love isn't real, or at the very most, it could exist, but we will never know for sure if we havw experienced it or not. With romantic love, we continually lack certainty. Three conditions for the satisfaction of romantic love are put forth, with 2 being targeted with objections as part of the argument. So what if romantic love doesn't exist? There are a lot of other outstanding aims in life.

In this episode, contemporary caste in India is discussed. It is evaluated through the 4 criteria for qualifying an ideological state apparatus according to Althusser's 1970 essay “Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses.”

In this episode, the third of a four-part series is presented. Topics inclusde abortion, cloning, surrogacy, and IVF. Is being a human being enough to exact moral obligations from others?

In this episode, the second episode of a four-part series is presented. The Nuremberg Code, Declaration of Helsinki, and Belmont Report are all overviewed. How ought we respect individuals' rights and interests in experiments involving human subjects?

In this episode, the first of a four-part series is presented. This episode covers the Nuremberg Trial (and Code), and human research ethics. In particular, the US human radiation experiments and the Guatemala STD studies are discussed.

In this podcast, informed consent is discussed. This discussion is organized by two article overviews. Beauchamp and Faden's “The Concept of Informed Consent” and Katz's “Informed Consent — Must it Remain a Fairy Tale?” are presented and evaluated with the progression of the history of bioethics in mind.

In this episode, medical confidentiality and privacy are discussed. Some of the highlighted authors include James Rachels, David C. Thomasma, and Shelly Schwartz. Is it ever okay to withhold the truth from patients? And, does the ideal conception of medical confidentiality actually exist? A discussion of the current scholarship on these questions may lead us to good answers.

In this episode, medical paternalism, the role of nurses, and truth-telling in clinical practice are discussed. This is the first episode of a three part short series. The articles of Goldman, Ackerman, Newton, and Kuhse are presented in order to adequately motivate the convictions being put forth.

In this episode, the connection between ideology and religious identity in India is discussed. Understanding practices of historicization, biased translation, and temple desecration as contributing to the religious ideological state apparatus can enhance our understanding of how ideology operated alongside identity in religion across India. Applying philosophy to historical concepts aids all students of knowledge in their pursuits of developing a robust understanding of what we ought to deduce about the world's past development and what the potential is for helping in its future progression.

In this episode, a crash course in bioethics is presented. Everything from argument (re)construction to moral theories and case studies is discussed.

In this episode, Denmark's “Free Town” is discussed. Christiania is reflected on as a potential implementation of ideal libertarian principles, and thus, may be able to be analyzed as a real-life minimal state. Is Nozick correct in his argument about the positives of creating and maintaining of, and operating in a minimal state? In what ways do ideal libertarian principles characterize important aspects of Christiania?

In this episode, the Barbie movie is discussed. I have a discussion with my mother about four core philosophical themes portrayed in the movie. These themes include existentialism, feminist political philosophy, the role of testimony in feminist epistemology, and questions of personal identity in relationship to others' identities (especially within a unified and identity-centric community).

In this episode, the philosophical justification for the permissibility of race-blind affirmative action is discussed. Specifically, it is held that race-blind affirmative action in selective college admissions is not a racist institution. This argument is supported by the virtue ethics theory of racism put forth in J.L.A. Garcia's “The Heart of Racism.” An AI Thought Experiment is presented on behalf of the argument. Two critical objections are discussed —one of an epidemiological nature, and the other concerned with the application of Garcia's morally insufficient care route condition. Garcia's framework is ultimately held supportive, and the thesis valid.

In this episode, ideology and U.S. law is discussed. It is held that we must understand the current U.S. system of laws as an Ideological State Apparatus, and that education can work to eliminate the racist ideology it perpetuates.

In this episode, Paul W. Taylor's Principle of Compensatory Justice is discussed in the context of Rawls's principles of justice. Moreover, its compatibility with Rawls's framework is evaluated, and it is argued that it is incompatible. This incompatibility is held to be derived from the necessary violation of Rawls's first principle (Greatest Liberty Principle) —more specifically, by undermining the Social Basis of Self Respect.

In this episode, market share liability is analyzed through a philosphical lens. It is argued that market share liability ought to be rejected as a legal doctrine. The deontological context for this rejection is presented as three pillars: (1) Predictability Is Not Causation, (2) The Concern of the Nonspecific Actor, and (3) A Kantian Objection: Adherence to the Formula of Humanity. A secondary argument is put forth from a consequentialist foundation. Objections are considered, and the conviction is maintained.

In this episode, solidarity is discussed. An argument is put forth that the innate orientation to others (that the virtue of solidarity calls for) is one essence of pur character, that as a collective, we have lost. This deficiency is attributed to (1) a misunderstanding of the tripartite duty of solidarity (that is, we reduce it to one dimension) and (2) that misunderstanding being perpetuated through ideology. It is suggested that critical thought and institutions that are invested in maintaining avenues that inspire individuals to cultivate their own moral conscience will potentially remedy the deficiency and eliminate the ideological illusions.

In this episode, slavery as an adaptive preference in the Ottoman empire is discussed. An argument is presented for how the role of slavery in the Ottoman Empire supported adaptive preferences among its constituents and how this philosophical interpretation can offer insight into a novel dimension of the historical context by demonstrating that the empire had an active role in dictating the desires and preferences of its population.

In this episode, Emma's new project is overviewed. In the realm of epistemology, Emma is interested in ensuring that theories of testimony and epistemic justice include provisions for individuals with disabilities. This project in particular argues that to remedy epistemic injustice (as defined by Miranda Fricker), a specific dimension of the virtue of testimonial justice must be established —that which includes an understanding and application of the Extended Mind Thesis.

In this episode, Emma's new project is overviewed. In the realm of epistemology, Emma is interested in ensuring that theories of testimony and epistemic justice include provisions for individuals with disabilities. This project in particular argues that to remedy epistemic injustice (as defined by Miranda Fricker), a specific dimension of the virtue of testimonial justice must be established —that which includes an understanding and application of the Extended Mind Thesis.

In this episode, the role of testimony in social epistemology is discussed. It is argued that testimony is necessary for the progression of knowledge. The podcast includes mention of Miranda Fricker, Elizabeth Fricker, and Edward Craig.

In this episode, the themes of memory and recollection are discussed by drawing a parallel between Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe and St. Augustine's Confessions Book X. This podcast is an elaboration and discussion of Emma Sondergaard Jensen's article on the Collegium Institute's blog site (“Call Me Maybe: You Were Within, But I Was Without”). After all, can we really exhaust the discussion of how we can miss someone that we've never met?

In this episode, ideology and Althusser's “Ideological State Apparatus” paper are discussed. An explanation of what is meant by ideology, ideological subjects, and material conditions of existence is offered through two lenses. The first explanation is explored from the classic Althusser and Pascal quote on religion. The second is an attempt of a new explanation of how the evolution of tea time in Turkey is a potential instance of what Althusser is discussing in his paper.

In this episode, the upcoming release of How to Excel in Undergraduate Philosophy is discussed. The motivation of the book is overviewed with special emphasis on how students benefit more from being taught how to think as opposed to being taught what to think. The book is expected to be available later this Fall. Stay tuned for more information!

In this episode, it is presented that humans rely on rituals to comfortably navigate through their lives to their mortality. With analysis of “The Analects,” the importance of ritual is discussed with the support of ancient Chinese philosophy. It is concluded that rituals and traditions connect humanity and give context to our human experience. Moreover, they progress society's intention toward moral, ethical, and social cultivation.

In this episode, arguments for the moral status of abortion are discussed. Recently, debate over the permissibility of abortion has taken center stage in politics. And so, in an effort to promote philosophical thought in relation to this debate, I survey some pieces that one may want to reference in holding their case —whether it be pro-choice, or anti-abortion. To accomplish this, particular essays written by Bertha Alvarez Manninen, Judith Jarvis Thomson, and Don Marquis, are presented and evaluated. This podcast is showing two papers that directly combat each other, and an article that extends the argument of one of those essays in order to critique and strengthen it.

In this episode, Bernard William's “One Thought Too Many” objection to Kant's account of moral motivation in the Groundwork is discussed. What it means for an actor to do the right thing for the right reason is analyzed in regard to Kant's idea of acting from the motive of duty. Ultimately, it is sustained that acting from the motive of duty is what determines an act's unconditional moral worth.

In this episode, poverty alleviation programs are discussed in junction with the concept of agency. It is argued that work-based contingency programs offer the best opportunities to the aided to exercise/foster agency in order to progress out of poverty. Combatting poverty at the agency of the individual is impactful because it cultivates habits of mind that can be applied throughout all aspects of life, and puts stakes in for the well-being of future generations.

In this episode, Emma's passion for philosophy is discussed. This is the 50th episode of Emmaism. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

In this episode, both hedonism about wellbeing and Nozick's Experience Machine are discussed. There is an argument made against hedonism about well-being that is backed by the thought experiment put forth by Nozick. So, the Experience Machine serves to demonstrate that hedonism about wellbeing is false. Would you plug into the Experience Machine?

In this episode, left and right libertarianism is discussed. It is argued, with support of Nozick's “Anarchy, State, Utopia” that right libertarianism is the most plausible theory of justice. Entitlement Theory is analyzed as well as justice in transfer, acquisition, and rectification. Barbara Fried's critique of Nozick's Wilt Chamberlain argument is also presented.

In this episode, education is discussed. This is an interview with Terrence Nolan. The questions of why we are educated and the importance of education are discussed. The current and optimal states of the education system are addressed and analyzed.

In this episode, the democratization of philosophy is discussed. Philosophy seems like a very distant and unattainable discipline to interact with and study, but that is truly not the case. In order to progress society and the human condition, we must bring philosophy back to the masses. This episode is an interview with Heidi Søndergaard Jensen

In this episode, love is discussed. The subject is inspired by the upcoming feast day of St. Valentine. The three natures of love are discussed: eros, philia, and agape. How these three natures guide humanity to derive normative statements that provide framework for how we ought to live and love is evaluated.

In this episode, the role and reach of religion in society is discussed. The decline of religion is analyzed in regards to what it is that society is missing due to the decline of religion and religious thought. Then, the decline of religion is connected to the U.S.'s reaction and response to the ongoing pandemic. It is argued that the response to COVID-19 is largely dictated by the secularized nature of society and the lack of religious belief of those in power.

In this episode, Neoplatonism and 1 Cor 12:12-30 is discussed. Emanation from “the One” is compared to the diversity of gifts from God expressed in 1 Cor 12:12-30. A contemporary application is advanced in support of the thesis that unification of humanity is through its quality of ‘being.'

In this episode, premises are discussed. This is an interview with Heidi Søndergaard Jensen.

In this episode, Martha Nussbaum's critical objection to Social Contract Theory is discussed. There is concern for the implications of certain conditions limiting participants in the Social Contract and how those constraints affect how moral duties are ascribed. Listen to hear how Nussbaum's critique of Social Contract Theory can be extended to highlight how the theory excludes some human beings.

In this episode, the aim of science is discussed. Boyd's Scientific Realism as the best explanation for the instrumental reliability of the scientific method is discussed. It is argued that it is indeed the best explanation for the instrumental reliability of science if there are two aims of theory: epistemological and metaphysical.

In this episode, Goodman's New Riddle of Induction is discussed as well as Boydian Natural Kind Theory. This podcast is inspired by Dr. Quayshawn Spencer and his Philosophy of Science class at the University of Pennsylvania. This podcast talks through whether Boyd's Natural Kind Theory solves Goodman's New Riddle of Induction. Moreover, it defends one way in which scientists can objectively defend their classifications and subsequent inductions.

In this episode, Taylor Swift's newest re-release is discussed. First, the philosophical implication of her deciding to re-record is analyzed. She is on a venture to re-gain her agency and fruits of her labor. Secondly, specific lyrics of “All Too Well” and “Red” are philosophically analyzed. Notions of time, memory, and love are brought to the conversation.

In this episode, FOMO is discussed. The most pure source of happiness is considered (when it is not dependent on outsourcing to others). How does an individual conquer FOMO? Well, the individual should do philosophy as a way of life.

In this episode, Stoicism is discussed. Its compatibility with various experiences of human existence is evaluated. St. Augustine and his Confessions are discussed in light of Stoicism.