Mindscape 244 | Katie Elliott on Metaphysics, Chance, and Explanation

Is metaphysics like physics, but cooler? Or is it a relic of an outdated, pre-empirical way of thinking about the world? Closer to the former than the latter. Rather than building specific quantitative theories about the world, metaphysics aims to get a handle on the basic logical structures that help us think about it. I talk with philosopher Katie Elliott on how metaphysics helps us think about questions like counterfactuals, possible worlds, time travel, mathematical equivalence, and whether everything happens for a reason.

Katrina (Katie) Elliott received her Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. After being an assistant professor of philosophy at UCLA, she is now on the faculty at Brandeis. Her research covers topics in metaphysics and the philosophy of science, including explanation, chances, and the logic of time travel.

#podcast #ideas #science #philosophy #culture

[NoahStephens]

One of my favorite episodes. Katie is hilarious

[semidemiurge]

The back and forth questioning between the host and guest should be encouraged in the future as it enhances the conversation a great deal. In that vein, I wonder if you could ask future guests ahead of time to come prepared with some questions for you related to your expertise/interests in physics and philosophy that possibly relate to their expertise. This was an interesting exchange.

[DudokX]

This feels like we are listening in on a conversation between friends during a long and interesting lunch. I love it.

[dirrelito]

One of the most amusing and enjoyable episodes in a while. Well done, both of you!

[bremensname]

lol, best intro from a guest Katie is great, perfect energy for the subject matter down to earth, much thanks, good show 👍👍

[michaeljfigueroa]

This may be one of my favorite episodes ever exclamation point period

[FAAMS]

Well...this is the MOST IMPORTANT EPISODE Sean brought so far, period.

[BuckySwang]

What a wonderful guest! Very engaging

[ReflectiveJourney]

Great episode. I don't see how anyone can be a casual viewer of the podcast. I am a hardcore viewer watching all episodes at 2x.

[BrianFedirko]

i really enoyed this talk. Sean's way of viewing philosophy iives with my own most of the time. He seems to be able to question things as an almost true atheist, , which is something I would like to grow up to be.

[rygxxxq]

Thank you Sean Carroll, I enjoy your podcast, I love listening to your explanation of scientific subjects, I'm just an average person. With just a high school education you make topics relatable to me, that helps me think deeper thoughts. I appreciate your work thanks again.

[LouigiVerona]

Loved it! And was very surprised that I could follow everything

[Mcsepps_Lamtbalps]

RIP Jim Hartle 🙏 nice podcast as usual

[producer]

Agree with the previous comments. Katie: "That is the saddest thing I have ever heard." Funniest end I've heard to a Sean Carroll podcast.

[petertomshany]

Wonderful work, as usual! Thank you :)

[CurtOntheRadio]

You sad man! lol

Excellent podcast. Ms Elliott is a veritable Rubik's cube of, "Ok, so what Very enjoyable listen, much thanks.

[ddavidjeremy]

Before this episode, David Albert was my favorite guest. Sorry Dave.

[Robinson]

1:09:00 Blew my mind, that if you allow classic time travel, determinism and eternalism is necessary. Loved this talk. However doesn't entanglement with you in the environment and decoherence, in case of a quantum dice, change the outcome, and thus change the future? If this is not your conclusion which it isn't for both of you, doesn't this imply you think the Born rule is unaffected and thus time travel doesn't imply eternalism or determinism, but even more it implies superdeterminism in which the born rule is obsolete?

[michaeljfigueroa]

You guys don't only amuse yourselves. I did not understand that joke until I thought about it

[RobRoss]

I always feel like there’s something wrong with my brain compared to other people when I hear these kinds of thought experiments. Does the magical being have perfect (or near perfect) prediction powers? And is he looking into *my* brain and predicting what I am going to do based on what he sees in my brain?? Does he know I want a million dollars and I”m only going to pick one box and he’s going to put the million dollars in the opaque box for me? How does he decide what I am going to do?