Philosophical Currents

Jack Russell Weinstein, host of Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life, joins Main Street to discuss the philosophical aspects of current events.

The philosophy of rest

With Memorial Day right behind us, it is officially the summer travel season. But if you have your cell phone with you and your cell phone is connected to your work email and your Facebook and your Insta and it's constantly dinging and you're constantly checking or maybe you're one of those people who brings a laptop on vacation or calls into the office.

05-30
24:06

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Impacts on Political Representation

NPR's Uri Berliner published an article calling into question some of NPR's reporting. In it, he says he fears NPR over-valued diversity in staffing, resulting in programming that alienates conservative listeners. For this month's Philosophical Currents, we talk with philosopher Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein about DEI, and the many layers of language.

04-29
21:11

Power, Gossip, and Celebrity: A Philosophical Dive

The evolution of celebrity, the role of gossip, and our societal fascination with public figures in this insightful "Philosophical Currents" conversation.

03-29
22:30

Satire in Politics

With Jon Stewart back in the host chair on Mondays for The Daily Show, we discuss the role of satire in politics with philosopher Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein.

03-13
15:50

Human Robot Relations

For this month’s Philosophical Currents, we ponder human robot relations with Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein, Chester Fritz Distinguished professor of philosophy at the University of North Dakota.

01-31
23:27

Exploring Justice: Culture and Personal Experiences

Dr. Weinstein discusses justice in Philosophical Currents, exploring how cultures and experiences shape its meaning.

11-28
47:29

Philosophical Currents: The war between Israel and Hamas

On this month’s Philosophical Currents, Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein talks about the war between Israel and Ham

10-17
43:06

Philosophy of Language

UND philosophy professor Jack Russell Weinstein joins Ashley Thornberg for a discussion about the role of language when it comes to cultural preservation and other social issues.

09-22
43:29

The Importance of Newspapers

We get a philosophical take on the decline of newspapers. Eight more newspapers went out of business in North Dakota this month. What does the loss of local papers mean for society?

08-28
24:55

Love It or Hate It, Barbie is a Smash Hit

Did you dress up and go to Barbie on opening weekend? Are you vehemently opposed to seeing this film? Why is a movie about a doll, and what we project onto it, controversial? It’s time for Philosophical Currents with Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein.

07-26
45:12

What is Progress

What is progress? Where do our ideas about progress come from? How come progress looks different from one person to the next? We explore the topic in this month's Philosophical Currents with philosopher Jack Russell Weinstein.

05-29
28:23

"Responsible News Reporting"

Jack Russell Weinstein joins us for a Philosophical Currents episode, where we discuss current issues of interest. Today’s theme deals with the importance of responsible news reporting.

04-24
23:17

What is "Woke"?

While there's recently been a lot of talk about being "woke," the word has actually been around for a long time. We discuss the concept in this month’s Philosophical Currents conversation with philosophy professor Jack Russell Weinstein.

03-28
24:16

What is the Metaverse?

Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Main Street's Craig Blumenshine about the Metaverse — a virtual world facilitated by the use of virtual reality headsets.

02-27
43:56

Academic Freedom

For this month’s topic, Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein talks with Main Street's Ashley Thornberg to explore academic freedom and the role of tenure.

01-25
45:27

Anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence on the rise

Anti-Semitic attacks are on the rise. Ashley Thornberg visits with Philosopher Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein.

12-28
23:55

Affirmative Action and Higher Education

Monday, November 28, 2022 - Philosopher Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein joins Ashley Thornberg for this month’s philosophical currents as he discusses affirmative action. This in light of the case before the United States Supreme Court concerning affirmative action and the higher education admission process.

11-28
44:13

The Philosophy of Halloween

Jack Russell Weinstein is here for our monthly episode of Philosophical Currents, an opportunity to take a philosophical dive into a current topic. Today he reflects on Halloween, specifically the curious behavior as people adopt alternative personas behind the masks. He visits with Ashley Thornberg.

10-31
33:18

Political Pawns

Our monthly “Philosophical Currents” conversation touches upon timely topics as we visit with UND professor of philosophy Jack Weinstein. Today he visits with Main Street's Ashley Thornberg about the Venezuelan migrant crisis and a recent death of a teenager in North Dakota. How are those two events tied? Is it ever okay for politicians to gain from someone else's personal tragedy.

09-28
31:27

Equal Justice Under the Law

In a conversation during the Main Street show, UND professor Jack Russell Weinstein tackles a rich topic: equal protection under the law.

08-29
44:54

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