Bradley Hillier-Smith argues that states have a duty not to harm refugees, and a duty to improve the lives of refugees. He argues that wealthier nations, therefore, have an obligation to accept and support at least some refugees.

But what is the impact of refugee policies on citizens? And just how far do our obligations go toward helping refugees?

[00:00] Introduction to Refugee Crisis

[00:11] Personal Account of Calais Camp Clearance

[03:21] State Obligations and Negative Duties

[09:18] Different Types of Refugees

[15:24] Balancing State Interests and Refugee Rights

[23:03] Objections and Counter Arguments

[38:18] Challenges in Refugee Resettlement

[40:48] Moral Obligations and Fire Escape Analogy

[42:13] Global Responsibility and Northern States

[47:43] Positive Duty and the Drowning Child

[55:02] Screening Refugees and Security Concerns

[01:01:57] Balancing Interests and Moral Duties

[01:10:15] Concluding Thoughts on Refugee Rights

Isaac Arthur, president of the American National Space Society, discusses the nature and likelihood of alien civilizations.

What sort of alien civilizations are most likely do exist? Is 'uplifting' an alien species ethical? What level of intelligence, sociability, and language are aliens most likely to have?

And is AI a form of alien intelligence?

See Isaac Arthur’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@isaacarthurSFIA

[00:00] Introduction to Alien Civilizations

[00:10] Thought Experiment: Meeting Alien Species

[03:20] Intelligence and Sociability in Alien Species

[07:02] Language and Communication Among Aliens

[11:15] AI and Alien Intelligence

[16:29] Speculating on Alien Life and Evolution

[25:32] Hive Minds and Collective Intelligence

[28:30] Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence

[32:46] The Concept of Emotional Sliders

[37:47] The Ethics of Uplifting Alien Cultures

[44:23] Speculative Fiction and Alien Forms

[47:14] The Fine-Tuned Universe and the Existence of God

[50:27] The Fermi Paradox and Quiet Aliens

[54:46] Humanity's Future in Space

[01:01:45] The Hermit Shoplifter Hypothesis

[01:03:24] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This live episode of Brain in a Vat investigates the boundaries of animal creativity through real-life examples, thought experiments, and philosophical theories of art.

What are the cognitive capacities of animals? What is the best way of understanding the apparent ‘art’ of animals? And how should we value the lives of animals?

[00:00] Introduction to Thought Experiments

[00:17] Human vs. Animal Art

[02:05] The Intentionality of Art

[02:52] Defining Art: Human and Animal Perspectives

[03:47] Ethical Considerations in Animal Art

[17:31] The Problem of Other Minds

[26:03] Legal and Moral Rights of Animals

[41:33] Controversial Views on Animal and Human Rights

[42:09] Peter Singer's Infamous Example

[42:53] Philosophical Debates on Animal Ethics

[44:01] Bestiality and Ethical Dilemmas

[47:23] Species vs. Individual Ethics

[51:46] Art, Animals, and Agency

[52:18] Audience Questions and Insights

[59:04] Defining Art and Talent

[01:05:17] Philosophical Reflections on Art and Morality

[01:24:22] Concluding Thoughts and Skepticism