Webcast Q&A: Sunday, 5 December 2010
In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 5 December 2010, I answered questions on polyamory versus monogamy, values after death, the problem of procrastination, in-laws as 'Mom' and 'Dad', Objectivism versus theism, sanctioning the TSA, and more. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was my co-host.
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Segments: 5 December 2010
Question 1: Polyamory Versus Monogamy (3:26)
Question: What's wrong with multiple sexual partners at a time? Why do you think that multiple romantic partners are psychologically destructive for everyone involved? What is it about romantic love that you think demands attention on one and only one other person?
Answer, In Brief: Sex is an inherently intimate act, and it's not possible to be in meaningful sexual relationship with two people without doing harm to oneself in some way or other.
Tags: Dating, Ethics, Monogamy, Polygamy, Psychology, Relationships, Romance, Sex
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Question 2: Values After Death (13:52)
Question: Should I care what happens to the world after I die? Should I care about my friends and projects after I die? What about caring about humanity long after my death? Should that affect my actions today?
Answer, In Brief: Values must be experienced as thoroughly long-range, even extending beyond one's life, but they are for the living!
Tags: Afterlife, Atheism, Death, Ethics, Values
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Question 3: The Problem of Procrastination (25:37)
Question: How can I procrastinate less? Often, I avoid doing unpleasant tasks for days or weeks, and I feel terrible about those delays. How can I motivate myself to just get those dreaded chores out of the way?
Answer, In Brief: Procrastination is often due to subconscious conflict. Introspect to unearth and resolve that conflict, so that you can get the dreaded task done.
Tags: Emotions, Procrastination, Productivity, Psycho-Epistemology, Psychology
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Question 4: In-Laws as "Mom" and "Dad" (34:48)
Question: Should people call their parents-in-law "Mom" and "Dad"? My brother in law started calling my parents "mom" and "dad" – and in turn my sister now calls his parents "mom" and "dad". This seriously offends me. My parents earned the title of mom and dad. They RAISED us – they cared for us, educated us, taught us values, loved us, and corrected us when we were wrong. My relationship with my parents is one of the most important relationships of my life and one I don't take lightly. I would never think to call anyone else "mom" and "dad" because no one else has even remotely earned it. It would only cheapen the relationship for me. I think my brother in law is being too familiar with my parents, and disrespectful to his own (and vice versa for my sister). Are my feelings valid? And what can I do about them if they are not?
Answer, In Brief: What other people call each other is not your concern. Focus on what matters to you: your relationship with these people.
Tags: Communication, Family, In-Laws, Relationships
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Question 5: Objectivism Versus Theism (42:48)
Question: Can an Objectivist believe in God? Can a person be a theist and an Objectivist? Or is that too fundamental a conflict? If so, why?
Answer, In Brief: Philosophies must be judged by essentials, and on that basis, Christianity nothing less than wholly opposed to Objectivism.
Tags: Altruism, Atheism, Capitalism, Christianity, Epistemology, Ethics, Faith, Metaphysics, Politics, Religion, Wealth
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Question 6: Sanctioning the TSA (57:01)
Question: Given the TSA's policies, is choosing to fly giving the sanction of the victim?
Answer, In Brief: To sanction something is to endorse it, and to unwillingly comply with force is not to sanction it.
Tags: Ethics, Government, Rights, Sanction
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Conclusion (59:21)
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Remember, Philosophy in Action Radio is available to anyone, free of charge. That's because our goal is to spread rational principles for real life far and wide, as we do every week to thousands of listeners. We love producing every episode, but each requires requires our time, effort, and money – week in and week out. So if you enjoy and value our work, please contribute to our tip jar. We suggest $5 per episode or $20 per month, but any amount is appreciated. You can send your contribution via Dwolla, PayPal, or US Mail.
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About Philosophy in Action Radio
I'm Dr. Diana Hsieh. I'm a philosopher specializing the application of rational principles to the challenges of real life. I received my Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2009. My dissertation defended moral responsibility and moral judgment against the doubts raised by Thomas Nagel's "problem of moral luck."
My radio show, Philosophy in Action Radio, broadcasts live over the internet on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. On Sunday mornings, I answer four meaty questions applying rational principles to the challenges of real life in a live hour-long show. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers co-hosts the show. On Wednesday evenings, I interview an expert guest about a topic of practical importance.
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