Hi-Phi Nation

A philosophy podcast that turns stories into ideas.

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About the Show

Hi-Phi Nation is philosophy in story form, integrating narrative journalism with big ideas. We look at stories from everyday life, law, science, popular culture, and strange corners of human experiences that raise thought-provoking questions about things like justice, knowledge, the self, morality, and existence. We then seek answers with the help of academics and philosophers. The show is produced and hosted by Barry Lam of Vassar College.

Host

  • Barry Lam is the host and producer of the Hi-Phi Nation podcast and is an associate professor of philosophy at Vassar College.

Cannibals

Why the consumption of human flesh gives God such a headache.

Zombies

This undead monster is the central figure for thinking about human consciousness.

Vampires

What a seductive demon teaches us about making life-changing decisions.

How We Memorialize Tragic Events

When respecting and remembering loss collides with the demands of history and politics.

Life, Edited

Genetically modified wildlife is ready to be released.

The Selfless Kidney Donor

Are humans evolving to become altruistic?

The Man of Many Worlds, Part 4

The last year of David Lewis’ life, God, and his legacy.

The Man of Many Worlds, Part 3

David Lewis argues for the existence of possible other worlds.

The Man of Many Worlds, Part 2

The life and works of philosopher David Lewis.

The Man of Many Worlds, Part 1

A mini-series about the life and works of philosopher David Lewis.

Justice and Retribution

Why punish at all?
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Two Justice Systems

Kimberly Kessler Ferzan on why criminal prevention and criminal punishment should be separate.

The Loophole

When an acquittal isn’t really an acquittal.

Punishment Without End

The collateral consequences of felony convictions.

Redemption in Solitary Confinement

Inside solitary confinement at a Massachusetts prison.
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Inside Solitary Confinement

The story of a man who spent 13 years in solitary.

Gender Justice

Feminist prosecutors and their feminist detractors.
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Is Criminal Justice a Good Way to Reduce Gender-Based Crime?

More on feminist prosecutors and their feminist detractors.

The Informant

On informant deals and the rule of law.
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Informant Deals

More on the incentive public defenders have to make informant deals.

Police Discretion

The history and ethics of police power from SCOTUS to John Rawls.
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The Test of Public Reason

How to implement the test of public reason for policing and more.

Criminal Minds

What is mens rea in criminal law and why do we have it?
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Mens Rea vs. Moral Luck

More on why the deontological/consequentialist distinction is so difficult to figure out for reform-minded advocates.

Hi-Phi Nation: YOLO Apologetics

Two college buddies go naked into the Malaysian jungle with nothing but a machete, and a philosopher examines the meaning of YOLO.

Hi-Phi Nation: The Illusionist

Sound illusions reveal that the human mind insists that it knows reality better than reality itself.