José is troubled by his sexual fantasies of women because it objectifies them. Danielle and José consider: Does sexual desire always or necessarily involve the dehumanizing objectification of others? Is it morally acceptable to objectify someone in the privacy of your own mind or will that objectification always spill out into the way you interact with others? Is it possible to keep sexual fantasies completely separate from workplace relationships? Are there solutions to the social problems in which people are forced to navigate their sexual desires along with their desires to see others in their full humanity?
Read MoreDanielle and José discuss whether philosophy can help save the crappy high school public education system. They talk about the real goals of high school public education, whether and how schools can actually teach critical thinking, and what kind of education will actually serve students for the world in which we live.
Read MoreWe welcome special guest Paul Waldau, recently retired Professor in the Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation Department and Director of the graduate program in Anthrozoology at Canisius College and author of Animal Rights, to talk about the relationships we humans have with non-human animals. How has viewing humans as special or distinct from other animals damaged our world? Should we view animals as having some of the same rights that we humans have, and if so, why?
Read MoreJosé and Danielle respond to some listener criticism of episode #45: Everybody Has to Live Somewhere. They talk about what they got right—and wrong—in that episode, and they reflect more generally on how engaging with criticism can enrich and deepen our understanding of the world, each other, and ourselves.
Read MoreMuseums are weird, or so says Danielle. In fact, she thinks that they are glaring evidence of the racist imperialist history of the West, and because of that, she finds it hard to find the serenity and aesthetic transcendence that we have all been trained to expect there. José thinks that we have a chance to define ourselves and connect with others by engaging (quietly, please!) with these very same objects. They fight it out.
Read MoreJosé and Danielle consider our ethical responsibility when we participate in gentrification. Is gentrification simply a natural process of changing neighborhoods, or do we have some responsibility for its negative impact on—and displacement of—poorer residents?
Read MoreThis episode, José and Danielle talk about how to have difficult conversations. José suggests that the classic way of thinking about conversations—as the communication of information or beliefs—does not actually get the best results. Instead, if we are to find truth, connection, and a shared public life, we need to learn to identify and communicate emotional feelings, a much more difficult task.
Read MoreIn this episode, special guest Charlie Gilkey—philosopher and founder of Productive Flourishing and author of the forthcoming Start Finishing and The Small Business Life Cycle—argues that all American citizens should serve three years in the military. He claims that such an experience engenders courage and fulfills a moral obligation of all citizens to meaningfully participate in the national defense. Although José seems persuaded by this idea, Danielle is not so sure.
Read MoreDanielle suggests that identity politics—organizing and motivating political action through features of your identity such as race, gender, class, nationality, religion, etc.—is insufficient for the type of collective action needed to solve some important global problems. How do we, as a society, tackle issues like climate change or global poverty when we see ourselves as fractured groups, each with its own concerns? José believes that all political action must necessarily begin with the interests, needs, and perspectives of identity.
Read MoreWe welcome guest Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein, Director of the Institute for Philosophy in Public Life at the University of North Dakota and host of the public radio show and podcast Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life, to talk about public philosophy. How is talking to a public audience about philosophy different than speaking to those in traditional academic settings? What do philosophers have to offer the public? What exactly are we doing here on Think Hard?
Read MoreWhy is it so hard to make friends in adulthood? José suggests that the very work it takes to make and maintain friendships is self-defeating because friendships are meant to be easy, spontaneous, and effortless. Danielle is not so sure.
Read MoreDanielle wonders if the choice to have a child is morally unjustifiable. Given over-population, the current environmental crisis, and the potential for a future full of hardship and suffering, is it ethical to have kids? José defends parenthood as an expression of human development.
Read MoreJosé opens up about polyamory. He explains how being poly helped him become better at love and relationships. What about having multiple partners provides opportunity for personal growth and development? What kind of work is required for polyamorous relationships that makes them likely to succeed?
Read MoreDanielle and José discuss the value of tolerance. Tolerance is a paradox because if we tolerate everyone, we have to tolerate those who are intolerant, thus threatening our tolerant society. Is there really a clear line between tolerating people’s speech and beliefs and tolerating their actions and policies? Why should we value tolerance, and how do we treat those who are intolerant?
Read MoreThis episode, Danielle and José talk about poverty. Are there rational reasons for giving to those less fortunate? What responsibilities or duties do we have to give to the poor? Does giving to the poor end up doing more harm than good? We end with “What We’re Thinking About” and give our recommendations for this episode.
Read MoreIn this episode, Danielle and José consider the force, function, and fragility of political protests. We consider some of the recent Republican-backed legislation that threatens to limit the ability for people to protest. What purpose do protests serve in the public arena? In what ways do protests help build a sense of community? Is violence in public protesting ever acceptable? Here is a Washington Post article summarizing the national trend in legislation against protests
Read MoreIn our inaugural episode, Danielle and José discuss travel and authenticity. When we go on trips, many of us are in search of some kind of authentic experience of another place. Where does this desire for authenticity come from and is it possible to achieve? Is the search for authenticity harmful for the places we travel? We end the show by discussing what we’ve been thinking about over the last few weeks, and leave our listeners with some recommendations.
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