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E16: Agnes Callard on Dark Empathy, Being Straussian vs Being Sincere, and Philosophical Progress

E16: Agnes Callard on Dark Empathy, Being Straussian vs Being Sincere, and Philosophical Progress

From"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg


E16: Agnes Callard on Dark Empathy, Being Straussian vs Being Sincere, and Philosophical Progress

From"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

ratings:
Length:
80 minutes
Released:
Jul 14, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

In this episode, Erik sits down with Agnes Callard to discuss her views on disagreement and progress, her inclination to question and operate outside of accepted societal structures, and why empathy is not always positive. Agnes Callard is a philosopher and essayist who specializes in ancient philosophy, ethics, and Socratic communication. If you're looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/UPSTREAM
Upstream is part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn about sponsorships, email Erik@turpentine.co or head to www.turpentine.co

RECOMMENDED SHOWS:
New podcast: Econ 102 with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg
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Subscribe to the show: https://link.chtbl.com/Econ102

TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Episode Preview
(02:45) Progress in philosophy
(05:13) Tensions between academic and public philosophy
(07:56) Does philosophy make the world a better place?
(09:11) Consulting philosophers
(11:42) Why don't we go to philosophers instead of therapists?
(15:28) Sponsor: NetSuite 
(16:56) Making the case for philosophy
(19:22) Sometimes the more you know ain't so
(23:46) Benefit of self-delusion
(26:05) What do people misunderstand about Socrates? 
(27:23) Benefits of conceptual literacy 
(30:02) Irony in today's culture
(35:10) Status games
(37:30) Being Straussian vs being sincere
(44:15) Is Tyler Cowan Straussian?
(46:00) Agnes' investment into the biggest cultural war issues of our time 
(48:28) Why is John Mill's conception of free speech worn out?
(50:12) Free speech is the freedom to listen
(52:34) How do we justify hierarchy?
(56:59) Equality is not a moral principle 
(58:14) Darwinian morality
(01:01:02) Dark empathy 
(01:07:11) Intellectual masturbation
(01:09:28) Love, marriage, and living philosophically
(01:15:48) What are the questions Agnes wants to find answers to?
(01:17:20) Did we just do philosophy for the past hour?

TWITTER:
Agnes' Twitter: @AgnesCallard
Erik's Twitter: @eriktorenberg
Upstream : @upstream__pod

SPONSOR:
NetSuite provides financial software for all your business needs. More than thirty-six thousand companies have already upgraded to NetSuite, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅ NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/upstream and defer payments of a FULL NetSuite implementation for six months.
Released:
Jul 14, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (61)

Upstream is where host Erik Torenberg goes deeper with the world's most interesting thinkers to map the constellation of ideas that matter across tech, culture, and politics. Ask yourself, what’s upstream of what you believe? On this season of Upstream, you'll hear from Marc Andreessen, David Sacks, Balaji Srinivasan, Ezra Klein, Joe Lonsdale, Katherine Boyle, and more.