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

In this episode, Erik sits down with Agnes Callard, 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

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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:
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