176 episodes
Patterson in Pursuit Steve Patterson
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- Society & Culture
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4.3 • 105 Ratings
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Philosophy in the real world. Interviewing intellectuals across the globe. Grappling with the biggest ideas.
stevepatterson.substack.com
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The Objectivity of Structure Outside our Concepts [Narration]
The world outside our mind is actually glued together; relations are mind-independent; and patterns are objectively real.
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Ep. 106 - Living with the Robots | Dr. RollerGator
Trying to envision life alongside AI. How will our culture change?
What will the norms be around beloved robots?
Should we let the machines hijack our emotional circuitry?
Will AI become the highest-level decision makers within governments?
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Ep. 105 - The Philosophy of AI (pt 1) | Alexandros Marinos
The world is ablaze with discussion about the risks and benefits of AI like ChatGPT
I have not been persuaded by the doomsdayers concerns about rogue AI, but that doesn't mean the technology is actually safe.
I investigate some philosophical concepts surrounding AI with Alexandros Marinos.
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Ep. 104 - "No Longer a Christian" | Isaac Deitz
Wonderful conversation with my old friend Isaac Deitz who shares his personal religious journey. After decades of being a Christian, he no longer identifies with that label.
In my opinion, that's only because "Christian" is a terrible term nowadays. By some metrics, Isaac is a raging Christian. By others, he is a heretic. In that respect, I am coming to many of the same ideas about religion and truth--spiritual truth is often at odds with religious dogma. Better to give up a label than give up the pursuit of truth.
Isaac's website: http://www.isaacdeitz.com/
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Our Present Dark Age
The best explanation for the current madness of the world is that we're in a dark age and have been for at least a century. The epistemic standards of the 20th century were not high enough to overcome social, psychological, and political entropy.
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Ep. 103 - "Mad at Mathematicians" | Isaac Morehouse
A couple of months ago, my friend Isaac Morehouse asked me to talk about the philosophy of mathematics and why I consider it so important.
Appeals to mathematics are everywhere, from COVID lockdowns to NFL play calling, and if our concepts about math are flawed, we make the world a significantly worse place.
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Customer Reviews
Approved
I listened to Steve 3 years ago and bought Square One. As someone studying mathematics in university, it was my introduction to seriously trying to think about metaphysics, ontology, and epistemology seriously.
My hope is that Steve moves on as I did, finds hylomorphism, and becomes Catholic thanks to the most robust metaphysical-ontological worldview I have found - Thomism.
That aside, some pretty solid interviews. I see some hate for your ‘narrow’ interview style, but you push back on people who don’t seem to be coherent, and they often don’t reply with skill (at least anything other than rhetorical skill), which they should if they’ve seriously thought about objections to their view.
P.S. - Would rate 6/5 stars if I could for making Graham Priest look like a fool.
Doesn’t Understand Basic Buddhist Teachings
In episode 5, Mr. Patterson offers a flatly incorrect characterization of “Buddhism,” a colonial term that is hopelessly overdetermined. My critique, however, is not so pedantic. Mr. Patterson attributes to Buddhists a doctrine often called “annihilationism” in Buddhist circles. This view, which in part stipulates that “only nothingness exists,” is explicitly refuted by the Buddha of the Pāli Canon (vide Kaccānagottasutta). Furthermore, if he means that “śūnyatā,” as understood in later traditions of Buddhism, is equivalent to “nothingness,” then Mr. Patterson has misunderstood the later traditions as well. He has great guests, but one should be wary that Mr. Patterson, much like myself, is not an expert on many of his very admirable and impressive “pursuits.” He has wonderful guests and is often an engaging host, but beware of taking his authority for granted in the realm of what he calls “Eastern Mysticism.”
Like nothing else!
Loved the episodes on race. They are the smartest, most articulate and respectful conversation I have found on the subject that get to the root of the problem and how to approach it. Looking forward to listening to all the others!