Affirmative Action and Medical School | Stephen Kershnar

Brain in a Vat

Join us for a provocative episode on Brain in a Vat as we rejoin the infamous Stephen Kershnar, whose prior discussions have made headlines. This episode delves into affirmative action, demographic considerations in education and employment, and the ethics of statistical predictions informed by race.

The discussion debates the legitimacy and consequences of using race, gender, and other demographic factors in decision-making processes across various fields, from medicine and law to parole decisions. The episode explores the balance between fairness and efficiency, and whether algorithms could replace human judgment in critical decisions.

Don't miss this thought-provoking exploration of some of today's most contentious issues.

[00:00] Introduction and Guest Reintroduction

[00:25] Affirmative Action and Medical Care

[02:23] Market Preferences and Performance

[08:08] Challenges of Colorblind Policies

[17:44] Fair vs. Unfair Discrimination

[26:05] Statistical Predictors vs. Demographic Predictors

[27:45] Correlation vs. Causation in Performance Prediction

[31:31] IQ and Performance in Medicine

[33:27] The Ethics of Using Demographics in Decision Making

[41:59] Algorithmic Decision Making in Justice and Beyond

Check out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/