Ghostless Machine
Overcoming polarization with philosophy
I’m Ariel Pontes and I think political polarization is one of the biggest problems of our time. That’s why I started a series of dialogues where I have friendly disagreements over controversial topics with a variety of guests. These conversations are guided by three core principles: scout mindset, non-violent communication, and radical honesty. When I’m not discussing with guests, I write about philosophy, science, rationality, and sociopolitical issues. I have a bachelor’s in computer engineering, a master’s in analytic philosophy, and I am a co-founder at Humanists Brazil and Effective Altruism Romania, where I do community building. Read more →
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Latest
Ten values we can all live by
How insights from different moral philosophies can help us find common ground
Moral illusions
Why disagreements don’t prove morality is relative
Natural rights and moral desert
Why we should avoid unverifiable moral claims
A forgiving utilitarianism
Why utilitarianism is not as demanding as you may think
Utilitarianism is not unfair
Why exploiting minorities is not utilitarian
Pragmatic utilitarianism
Why some types of suffering deserve more attention than others
Rule utilitarianism
Should we ever break rules for the greater good?
The moral relevance of intentions
Why intentions are important even for utilitarians
Cultivating virtues is utilitarian
Virtues are traits that contribute to a better society