#39 - Philosophy Podcaster: The Paradox of Free Will and Evil | Joel Bouchard

Joel Bouchard, philosophy podcaster and author of From Nowhere to Nothing, joins me for an intellectually intense exploration into some of life’s deepest philosophical dilemmas. In this episode, Joel skillfully unpacks intricate issues like the nature of good and evil, whether humans are inherently moral beings, and if true free will even exists. In our conversation, we talk about: Why free will might be more limited than you think. The hidden paradox within the concept of an all-knowing, all-good deity and the existence of evil. How humans naturally strive to make order from chaos, both externally in the world and internally in their minds. The surprising psychology behind why people struggle with discipline and sticking to personal decisions. Whether morality is inherently programmed or learned from our environment, relationships, and experiences. Thank you for listening.   SHOW LINKS: Support the Show on: Patreon Listen to the Podcast on: YouTube | Apple | Spotify Follow us on: X | Reddit | Instagram | LinkedIn   OUTLINE: 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Who Is Joel Bouchard? 03:53 What Philosophy Actually Is 07:09 Implicit vs Explicit Philosophy 10:09 Is Life Worth Living? 13:40 Religion, Atheism, and Nihilism 17:21 Hedonism and Absurdism 21:17 The Psychology of Belief 28:08 A Personal Story of Loss 31:50 Symbolism and Rituals in Human Life 39:45 The Ethical Debate Around Pets 45:52 Defining Good and Evil 51:06 Why Does Evil Exist? 01:13:15 Free Will vs Limited Will 01:25:14 Where Does Consciousness Come From? 01:29:37 The Nature of Conscience 01:47:00 Is Life Deterministic or Not? 02:00:12 The Magpie and Meaningful Coincidences 02:11:57 Final Thoughts & Outro   JOEL BOUCHARD LINKS: From Nowhere to Nothing Podcast (Spotify) From Nowhere to Nothing Podcast (Apple)   CONTACT LINKS: Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.   This episode has been co-produced by Kate van Leeuwen.