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.

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.

Uncivil Disobedience

We look at the disruptive tactics of the animal liberation movement in Australia.

Hi-Phi Nation: For Women Only, Part 2

We look at the debates over trans rights in the public media and find that not all transphobia is created equal.

Hi-Phi Nation: For Women Only

We look at the origins of the conflict between trans-rights advocates and a certain kind of feminist.

Demons of Democracy

Is mandatory voting a good thing?

The Name of God

We look at whether Christians and Muslims worship the same god.

Hi-Phi Nation: The Forever War

We take an 18-year retrospective on the Afghanistan war and tally its moral and financial costs.

No Offense

We compare free speech protections of racial hate speech in America with those in other liberal democracies.

Hi-Phi Nation: Risky Business

We investigate the algorithms that are taking over the criminal justice system.

The Pre-Crime Unit

We investigate the technology and morality behind predictive policing technologies.