Description (podcaster-provided):
Part of UMass Boston’s Philosophy Department, the Applied Ethics Center promotes research, teaching, and awareness of ethics in public life. In this podcast, Applied Ethics Center Director Nir Eisikovits hosts conversations on the intersection of ethics, politics, and technology.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Ethics and public life • Brain-computer interfaces • Philosophy of technology • Artificial intelligence • Consciousness • Future of work • War and diplomacy • Social issues • Public memory • EducationThe "Ethics in Action Podcast," hosted by Nir Eisikovits, delves into discussions that sit at the intersection of ethics, politics, and technology, often with an academic lens. Produced under the auspices of the UMass Boston Applied Ethics Center, the podcast regularly explores topics that challenge listeners to consider the ethical ramifications of contemporary societal issues.
Throughout its episodes, the podcast features in-depth conversations on a diverse array of subjects. It frequently addresses complex ethical issues related to cutting-edge scientific and technological advancements, such as brain-computer interfaces, artificial intelligence, and neurotechnologies. The implications of these technologies on consciousness, privacy, autonomy, and human interaction are critical themes. The podcast also reflects on the prospects of AI and its impact on future governance and societal structures.
Beyond technology, the podcast critically examines socioeconomic issues like universal basic income and the philosophical underpinnings of work and labor. It explores the evolving nature of work in the context of economic change and technological development, emphasizing themes of meaningful work, idleness, and the reduction of the working week.
In addition, the podcast addresses global and geopolitical matters, including the implications of Russia's actions in Ukraine and Middle Eastern diplomatic relations. Ethical challenges surrounding racism, public memory, and the public sphere are also discussed, often focusing on monument debates, school integration, and civic dialogue in polarized societies.
Overall, this podcast serves as a platform for scholarly discussions that merge ethical theory with real-world applications, often featuring guest experts from academia and other fields to provide nuanced perspectives on pressing contemporary issues.