Mass Shootings | Kurt Blankschaen

Brain in a Vat

Does our common understanding of mass shootings help us to prevent them?

Blankschaen argues that our common beliefs and media narratives around gun ownership, mental illness, and school policies are unhelpful in preventing future mass shootings.

Can we even provide an adequate definition of mass shootings?

Should we give up the concept of mass shootings altogether, and focus instead on the particular shooters and victims in each circumstance?

Read Kurt’s paper here: https://philpapers.org/rec/BLAAMS

[00:00] Introduction and Thought Experiment

[01:35 ] Exploring the Concept of Mass Shooters

[06:56] Challenges in Profiling and Predicting

[12:06] Defining Mass Shootings and Intent

[24:10] Policy Implications and Conceptual Concerns

[28:09] Terrorist Attacks vs. Mass Shootings

[29:31] Tailoring Solutions to Different Types of Violence

[35:54] Farm Murders in South Africa: A Case Study

[40:14] The Role of Guns in Mass Shootings

[42:53] Media Influence and Moral Panic

[55:18] International Comparisons and Cultural Context

[57:55] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Check out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/