Experimental Philosophy Trilogy Part 1: The Side-Effect Effect

Ben Coonley

2009 | 00:02:49 | United States | English | Color | Stereo | 4:3 | DV video

Collection: Single Titles

Tags: Humor, Philosophy

An ordinary living room with a green screen, TV, and domestic cat serves as the backdrop for this DIY introduction to experimental philosophy. The president of a company is considering a vice president's moneymaking scheme. He says, "Look, I know this program will harm the environment, but I don't care at all about that. All I care about is maximizing profits. So let's start the program." The company adopts the policy, and sure enough, the environment is harmed. Now consider a seemingly straightforward question: Did the chairman of the board harm the environment intentionally?

 Comedian Eugene Mirman narrates this dramatization of an influential study by experimental philosopher Joshua Knobe titled "Intentional Action and Side-Effects in Ordinary Language" AKA "the side-effect effect."

This work is also available as part of the Experimental Philosophy Trilogy.

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