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The Uncertainty Podcast

The Uncertainty Podcast

Miles K. Donahue 88 episodes Nov 7, 2026

A philosophy Ph.D. student works through problems of philosophy, religion, science, and the existential struggle with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) alongside leading thinkers. The podcast is similar to Alex O'Connor but with an American perspective.

Episodes

#105 We Can Use Probability to Reason About God - Kenny Boyce
#105 We Can Use Probability to Reason About God - Kenny Boyce Nov 7, 2026 1:01:14 Kenny Boyce discusses the recent critiques of probability in the philosophy of religion, principally by John Norton. Kenny is an all-around great guy and (given his considerable philosophical overlap with my own views) a genius.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee.Follow me on X because y
#104 Against Angels, Miracles, & Hell: Refuting Bad Theology - Both Sides Brigade
#104 Against Angels, Miracles, & Hell: Refuting Bad Theology - Both Sides Brigade Oct 29, 2026 1:49:28 The brilliant Substacker Both Sides Brigade joins me for a discussion about three hot topics in our corner of the philosophy of religion internet: the omission theodicy, the miracle case for Catholicism, and the doctrine of eternal conscious torment.Check out Brian Cutter and Philip Swenson's defense of the archon abandonment theodicy, as well as Brian Cutter's paper on Hell and justice.Video of t
#103 Catholicism, Popes, and Homosexuality: A Defense - Noah McKay
#103 Catholicism, Popes, and Homosexuality: A Defense - Noah McKay Oct 23, 2026 1:36:32 Noah McKay, a philosophy Ph.D. student at Princeton, joins me to discuss his recent conversation to Catholicism, Catholic miracle evidence, whether the Bible predicts a succession of popes, and Catholic sexual ethics.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee.Follow me on X because you’re aweso
#102 An Unheated Discussion on Science, Probability, and Induction - Mike Titelbaum
#102 An Unheated Discussion on Science, Probability, and Induction - Mike Titelbaum Oct 15, 2026 1:21:36 Mike Titelbaum, author of the two-volume "Fundamentals of Bayesian Epistemology," dissects the use of probability in philosophy, philosophy of religion, science, and everyday life. We do, of course, discuss my recent discussion with John Norton and the material theory of induction.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either
#101 We Must Save Science from Quantum Mechanics - Emily Adlam
#101 We Must Save Science from Quantum Mechanics - Emily Adlam Oct 2, 2026 1:02:04 Emily Adlam discusses the problems facing several interpretations of quantum mechanics: principal among them, the probability problem. Prepare for discussion of self-locating credences, branch-counting, and whether a mechanism deposits consciousness throughout the branching wavefunction of the universe.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To support the channel, do please oh please cons
#100 A Heated Discussion on Science, Probability, and Induction - John Norton
#100 A Heated Discussion on Science, Probability, and Induction - John Norton Sep 24, 2026 1:05:08 In the hundredth episode of this podcast, I discuss the use, and misuse, of probability in science and philosophy with John Norton. Prepare for a contentious conversation about fundamental issues in probability theory, induction, and cosmic fine-tuning. This one does not disappoint.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either
#99 An Oxford Philosopher Investigates the Meaning of Life - Tim Mawson
#99 An Oxford Philosopher Investigates the Meaning of Life - Tim Mawson Sep 10, 2026 1:26:38 Tim Mawson, professor of philosophy at Oxford, discusses the contours of the newly emerging philosophical investigation into the meaning of life. What does it mean to say that life's meaning is subjective versus objective? Would life be meaningful if we were immortal? And what difference does God make, and not make, to whether life means anything?Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To
#98 Every Argument for God, Refuted - Kevin Scharp
#98 Every Argument for God, Refuted - Kevin Scharp Sep 3, 2026 2:13:28 Kevin Scharp comes back on the podcast to discuss William Lane Craig’s eight-part case for the existence of God: contingency, cosmology, mathematics, fine-tuning, consciousness, morality, miracles, and experience.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee.Follow me on X because you’re awesome.E
#97 Why Belief in the Soul Makes Sense - Ralph Stefan Weir
#97 Why Belief in the Soul Makes Sense - Ralph Stefan Weir Aug 27, 2026 1:35:20 Ralph Weir answers all my questions about the mind-body problem, how we define "physical," whether I can conceive of philosophical zombies, and where panpsychism fits into all this.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee.Follow me on X because you’re awesome.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introdu
#96 Does God Exist? - Michael Huemer vs. Joshua Rasmussen
#96 Does God Exist? - Michael Huemer vs. Joshua Rasmussen Aug 20, 2026 1:38:49 You do NOT want to miss this debate on the perennial question that human beings have wondered about for thousands of years: does God exist? Josh presents both a cumulative case for theism, as well as his signature argument from arbitrary limits. Mike presents his novel argument against God's infinite attributes.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To support the channel, do please oh pl
#95 Does Buddhism Teach Annihilation? And Other Questions - Emily McRae
#95 Does Buddhism Teach Annihilation? And Other Questions - Emily McRae Aug 13, 2026 1:22:22 Emily McRae, professor of philosophy at the University of New Mexico, offers an overview of Buddhist philosophy. In particular, we discuss the different traditions within Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana, Tibetan, and Zen - the doctrine of emptiness, the Four Noble Truths, and the ontology of Nirvana: annihilation, eternal bliss, or a state of mind in the here and now?Video of this interview is avai
#94 Everything Wrong with the Case for Eternal Hell - Randal Rauser
#94 Everything Wrong with the Case for Eternal Hell - Randal Rauser Aug 6, 2026 1:34:36 In my recent discussion with Ethan Muse, he made a case for the compatibility of God's perfect love and the doctrine of eternal conscious torment. Randal Rauser returns to the channel to respond. Are we far more wicked than we realize? Does any sin merit infinite punishment? What should we do if we struggle with fear of eternal hell? We discuss these questions and much else besides.Video of this i

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