Aliens, Social Groups, and the Golden Record | Jason Werbeloff

Brain in a Vat

How would we explain our social structures to aliens? Can we define our social groups in a way that is easy to articulate and understand?

Jason Werbeloff argues that it’s extremely difficult to answer even the simplest questions about the nature of our social groups.

Does this mean we should exclude any talk of groups when describing ourselves on the Golden Record?

And should we understand ourselves as individuals, rather than as members of social groups?

[00:00] Introduction and Welcome

[00:21] The Voyager Golden Record

[02:17] Philosophical Inquiry: Social Groups and Aliens

[02:57] The Alien's Perspective on Social Groups

[05:08] Defining Social Groups

[12:25] Margaret Gilbert's Theory of Social Groups

[14:16] Challenges to Gilbert's Theory

[20:41] Alternative Theories and Eliminativism

[27:08] Q&A and Further Discussion

[36:20] The Vagueness of Group Identity

[37:10] Dispositional Refinement and Group Membership

[37:47] Challenges in Defining Group Membership

[38:45] Moral Responsibility and Group Identity

[40:08] Individual Accountability in Group Actions

[44:09] Degrees of Group Membership

[46:43] The Role of Group Leaders

[48:56] Relational Properties and Group Persistence

[01:05:41] Human Groups vs. Animal Groups

[01:11:30] Concluding Thoughts