Brain in a Vat

Sexual Ethics on Campus: Consent and Power | Colin McGinn

July 28, 2026·1h 3m
Episode Description from the Publisher

Colin McGinn joins to discuss sexual ethics on campus. Drawing on thought experiments and his own experiences in academia, McGinn argues that universities too often conflate harassment with consensual relationships while overstating the role of power imbalances. He explains why he believes current policies can undermine academic freedom, due process, and the proper limits of institutional authority.Chapters: [00:00] Introduction[00:16] A Thought Experiment[08:19] Microenticements[12:09] Harassment vs. Consensual Relationships[22:38] Reporting Relationships[36:06] The Power Imbalance[45:06] MeToo, Cancellation, and Academia[49:53] Devil's Advocate[1:00:17] Should Universities Regulate Romance?[1:10:58] Final Reflections

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