Webcast Q&A: Sunday, 26 December 2010
In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 26 December 2010, I answered questions on altruism and sacrifice, celebrating Festivus, what to do about Wikileaks, eating pets, topics for first dates, black and white thinking, and more. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was my co-host.
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.
Listen Now 
- Duration: 58:48
Download the Episode
- Download: Enhanced M4A File (27.7 MB)
- Download: Standard MP3 File (27.0 MB)
To automatically download new podcast episodes to your computer, subscribe to the podcast feed of Philosophy in Action:
- Enhanced M4A Feed: Subscribe in iTunes or your RSS reader
- Standard MP3 Feed: Subscribe in iTunes or your RSS reader
Share This Episode
Segments: 26 December 2010
Question 1: Altruism and Sacrifice (5:03)
Question: Why does altruism measure virtue by the depth of a person's self-sacrifice, rather than the amount of good actually done for others? Altruism demands every person promote the welfare of others as his ultimate value. Despite that, however, altruistic virtue is not measured by the actual good done for others, but rather by the depth of the person's self-sacrifice. Why is that?
Answer, In Brief: Altruism is not inconsistent to measure virtue by depth of a person's self-sacrifice. It must do that – or acknowledge that mankind's greatest benefactors are not people doling out charity, but rather people who produce and trade for their own selfish gain.
Tags: Altruism, Christianity, Ethics
Listen or Download 
Comments
Question 2: Celebrating Festivus (15:12)
Question: Would you recommend your fellow Objectivists to celebrate Festivus? If so, how should we celebrate it?
Answer, In Brief: It's just as wrong to be contrarian as to be conformist. Instead, use rituals and holidays to reflect your values.
Listen or Download
Relevant Links
Comments
Question 3: What To Do about Wikileaks (24:04)
Question: What should the US government do about Wikileaks founder Julian Assange? In particular, can and should the US government go after him, given that he is not an American citizen and he apparently committed his bad acts outside of US territory?
Answer, In Brief: Wikileaks is a major problem, but it's wrong for the US to claim power to prosecute anyone anywhere.
Tags: Crime, Foreign Policy, Law, Rights
Listen or Download
Comments
Question 4: Eating Pets (31:46)
Question: Would you kill your pets for food? Why and why not?
Answer, In Brief: Our deep feelings for our pets are wonderful, but those feelings shouldn't get in the way of being sensible, selfish pet owners.
Tags: Animal Rights, Animals, Ethics, Pets, Rights
Listen or Download
Relevant Links
Comments
Question 5: Topics for First Dates (38:28)
Question: What are some good topics to discuss on a first or second date? Also, what topics should be avoided?
Answer, In Brief: Focus on the positive, and ask questions that reveal your own and your date's personality and values.
Tags: Communication, Dating, Romance
Listen or Download
Relevant Links
Comments
Question 6: Black and White Thinking (42:24)
Question: Isn't it wrong to be a "black and white" thinker? To a lot of people that is not a good trait. Life isn't black and white. Black and white thinking limits you. It closes doors instead of opening them and it also closes minds. In the case of gray, you can give and take. Why is black and white thinking a necessary part of Objectivism? Shouldn't common contradicting viewpoints be welcome in a healthy discussion?
Answer, In Brief: We should seek the clarity of a black and white world, but that doesn't mean that we should pretend to know more than we do, ignore complicating factors, or treat people like morons.
Tags: Absolutes, Epistemology, Metaphysics
Listen or Download
Comments
Conclusion (57:14)
Thank you for joining us for this episode of Philosophy in Action Radio! If you enjoyed this episode, please contribute to contribute to our tip jar.
Support Philosophy in Action
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.
Thank you, if you've contributed to Philosophy in Action! You make our work possible every week, and we're so grateful for that!
If you enjoy Philosophy in Action, please help us spread the word about it! Tell your friends about upcoming broadcasts by forwarding our newsletter. Link to episodes or segments from our topics archive. Share our blog posts, podcasts, and events on Facebook and Twitter. Rate and review the podcast in iTunes (M4A and MP3). We appreciate any and all of that!
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.
If you join us for the live broadcasts, you can ask follow-up questions and make comments in the text-based chat. Otherwise, you can listen to the podcast by subscribing to our Podcast RSS Feed. You can also peruse the show archives, where episodes and questions are sorted by date and by topic.
For regular updates, commentary, and humor, read my blog NoodleFood and subscribe to its Blog RSS Feed. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and connect on social media too.
I can be reached via e-mail to [email protected].
Copyright Diana Hsieh | Web | Email | Twitter | Facebook