Welcome back to Train of Thought, the podcast where small moments on public transit become portals to the big philosophical questions — the kind usually reserved for lecture halls and late-night overthinking. Today, we’re looking at something you may have done (or suffered through): stealing a seat on a crowded train… with swagger.
This episode invites you into the morally gray world of city commuting, where available seats are precious, and eye contact is optional. Our host breaks down the moment we’ve all experienced: you see the seat, someone else sees the seat, and a silent showdown begins. You win — but was it fair? Was it right? And does doing it with a bit of flair make it better… or worse?
We dive here into ethical frameworks — from utilitarianism to Kantian principles — and apply them, hilariously and poignantly, to the rush-hour arena. You'll consider your moral compass while balancing a coffee, dodging elbows, and wondering if wearing a tote that says Empathy Matters makes someone more entitled to sit.
But it’s not just about philosophy. It’s also about theater. Swagger, after all, is a performance. And this episode asks: can intentional swagger — the fully aware, almost satirical kind — be a kind of ethical honesty?
With Camus smirking in the background and Nietzsche probably yelling something dramatic, this episode manages to reflect on decency, selfishness, and the invisible rules of shared space, all through the lens of a single stolen seat.
Listen now to laugh, reflect, and maybe reevaluate how you move through the world — standing, sitting, or somewhere in between.
Train of Thought — because even the smallest moments are worth thinking about.
Share this post