The Philosophy of Crime
Unravel the complexities of true crime through the insightful lens of "The Philosophy of Crime," an annual podcast series expertly hosted by James Renner, a distinguished journalist and acclaimed author renowned for his deep dives into the enigmatic world of unsolved mysteries. This podcast stands at the crossroads of classical philosophy and the compelling questions that fuel our fascination with true crime. Across six thought-provoking episodes released once a year, James explores the fundamental inquiries haunting the human psyche: What drives our obsession with true crime stories? Are lie detectors a reliable tool in the quest for truth? How does diplomatic immunity intersect with justice? "The Philosophy of Crime" is more than a podcast; it's a philosophical exploration that seeks to illuminate the darkest aspects of human curiosity and societal norms. Each season, James Renner blends philosophical theories with real-world cases, offering listeners a unique perspective on the moral dilemmas and ethical questions that lurk behind the headlines. From the effectiveness of lie detection to the intricacies of legal exemptions and the nature of obsession, this podcast is an essential listen for anyone intrigued by the philosophical dimensions of crime and justice. Tune in to "The Philosophy of Crime" for a yearly dose of compelling narratives and enlightening discussions that promise to challenge your views, provoke thought, and deepen your understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of true crime. #truecrimepodcast #jamesrenner #philosophypodcast #philosophyofcrime Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When a new serial killer is caught, police have the tendency to try to blame them for every other murder in the vicinity. Why is it easier for us to believe in one Boogeyman rather than several?
Covered topics: Sam Little, Arie Kruglanski, Donna Webster, Edward Wayne Edwards, Rex Heuermann, Stoicism, Marcus Aurelius
Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditations
Why are some drugs illegal and others are not? Learn the sordid history of the War on Drugs and why it doesn't work.
Covered topics: Allen Russell, Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914, War on Drugs, Magic mushrooms, John Stuart Mill, Rick Doblin
Further Reading:
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/graphs/pie2023_drugs.html
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2023.html
https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-0e463c390bedc7f6b25fb7e54b...
What causes an innocent person to confess to a crime they didn't commit? Learn how prosecutors use false confessions to inflate their victories.
Covered topics: confessions, Stephanie Crowe, the Reid technique, Great Fire of London, John Mark Karr, Brendan Dassey, Friedrich Nietzsche, On Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense, Kevin Young
Further Reading:
A new theory on consciousness may explain why psychopaths hear voices telling them to kill.
Covered topics: Son of Sam, the bicameral mind, Julian Jaynes, The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Jared Lee Loughner, Herbert Mullin
Further Reading:
https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/roger-sperrys-split-brain-experiments-1959-1968
In the United States, cash bail keeps hundreds of thousands of people behind bars, even when they are presumed to be innocent.
Covered topics: Maurice Jimmerson, bail, bonds, Kalief Browder, liberty, Isaiah Berlin, positive liberty, negative liberty, Pretrial Fairness Act,
Further Reading:
https://www.walb.com/2021/01/04/murder-warrants-issued-albany-october-homicide/
https://www.walb.com/story/33773305/kennedy-sentenced-in-co...
Diplomatic immunity keeps our government agents safe while working in foreign countries. But is it fair?
Covered topics: Diplomatic immunity, Harry Dunn, Anne Sacoolas, Terrence Karamba, Erick Bairnals, egalitarianism, John Rawls, A Theory of Justice, Murray Rothbard
Further Reading:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ12rs5vVWU
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/egalitarianism/
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The most difficult case to bring to trial is a no-body homicide, which is why it so rarely happens. We dive deep into the history of such cases and the very nature of doubt.
Covered topics: Alissa Turney, Michael Turney, Sarah Turney, Archibald Fisher, No-Body Homicide, Pyrrho, Pyrrhonism
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Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology
https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article...
What is money laundering? And why does the government look the other way?
Covered topics: Money laundering; Al Capone; Ozark; Paul Manafort; Hedonism; Marquis de Sade; Sadism
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Further reading:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/502449/myth-how-al-capone-gave-us-term-money-laundering
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States
What is the connection between school shootings in the United States and toxic masculinity? Is there a way to end school shootings?
Covered Topics: School shootings; Toxic masculinity, Sandy Hook, Adam Lanza, Douglas Kellner, Seung-Hui Cho
Further Reading:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/marriage-equals/202008/masculinity-is-there-really-crisis
https://www.fastcompany.com/90696368/i-guess-we-have-to-talk-about-the-mascu...
The Alford Plea provides a way for a defended to plead guilty while maintaining their innocence. Should this be allowed in criminal court? Where did it come from? Who benefits?
Covered Topics: The West Memphis 3, Henry Alford, Act Utilitarianism, Jeremy Benthem
Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alford_plea
Does reward money help solve cold cases? When did we start offering money for tips? Is there a better way?
Cover topics: Whitey Bulger, F.B.I. Top Ten, Little Crow, Action Theory, Donald Davidson, Maura Murray
Further Reading:
https://www.quora.com/What-was-the-highest-reward-ever-paid-to-a-person-by-the-United-Sta...
How can lawyers defend guilty people? Is it ethical to help someone stay out of jail if you know they're guilty?
Covered Topics: Susan Smith, Judy Clarke, Trial by Ordeal, Juan Catalan, J. L. Mackie, Moral Nihilism, Isabelle Coutant-Peyre,
Further Reading:
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What happens to the art when an artist becomes a criminal? Can we still enjoy a good song written by a maniac? Or does that make us enablers?
Covered Topics: Michael Jackson, John Landis, Thriller, David Foster Wallace, Roland Barthes, Death of the Author, Hitler, John Wayne Gacy
Further Reading:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/21/michael-jackson-thriller-changed-music-videos
For every tragedy, there exists an equal an opposite moment of grace. What is going on here? And what does it say about humanity?
Covered Topics: Harvey Weinstein, Woody Allen, Ronan Farrow, Karma, Ka Like a Wheel, Amber Hagerman, Rae-Leigh Bradbury, Amber Alert, Karen Perez, Tim Miller, Texas EquuSearch, Adam Walsh, America’s Most Wanted, Otis Toole, Werhner von Braun, Martin Bryant, DJ Grandmaster Caz, Mr. Rogers
Further Reading:
What do we mean when we say we want to defund the police? Also, who came up with the idea of police originally, and how are they supposed to act?
Covered topics: George Floyd, Derek Chauvin, Robert Peel, Peelian Principles, Rover’s Morning Glory, Steven Kinas, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Social Contract, Mariame Kaba
Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police
The United States is one of only a few countries that has executed children in modern times. In some states, teens are still regularly tried as adults for serious crimes. But should we actually be raising the age of culpability?
Covered Topics: Sean Sellers, Age of Culpability, Lionel Tate, Christopher Pittman, Juvenile Court, Aristotle, Gideon Yaffe, Raise the Age, Mark Wahlberg
Further Reading:
It's 2021 and we still have secret courts in the United States. What are Grand Juries anyway? How do they work? What are they for? And why are they the worst?
Covered Topics: Breonna Taylor, Grand Juries, Sol Wachtler, Karl Popper, Plato, George Schwartz, Social Contract, George Soros, Tamir Rice
Further Reading:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/20/us/breonna-taylor-grand-jury.html
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