Webcast Q&A: Sunday, 16 January 2011
In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 16 January 2011, I answered questions on judgments of actions and ideas, judging people efficiently, online jerks, seeking popularity, tattoos and piercings, dating a pot-smoker, 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.
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Segments: 16 January 2011
Question 1: Judgments of Actions and Ideas (4:03)
Question: How does one properly judge a person's actions and ideas? I've read that one can judge a person's ideas as good or evil based on whether they are true or false, respectively. I've also read/heard that it's usually better to judge a person's actions since people often aren't very exact in their ideas and in what they say. Should you judge a persons ideas or actions? Or both? And, what is the proper way to judge a person's ideas and actions?
Answer, In Brief: You should judge a person for his whole person – meaning his thinking, ideas, and actions. But take care to focus on his serious commitments.
Tags: Ethics, Evil, Judgment, Justice, Sanction
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Question 2: Judging People Efficiently (19:27)
Question: How can I judge people more efficiently? It would be helpful to be more efficient in judging whether certain individuals are appropriate for a friendship. Sometimes it takes me a long time to decide whether I would like to be friends with someone or not. It takes me even longer to decide whether I would like to be in a romantic relationship with someone. How can I speed this process up? What are some key factors that might help me make these types of decisions more efficiently?
Answer, In Brief: Relationships are not all or nothing. Allow the intimacy of the relationship to develop naturally, notice and judge what emerges, and then move closer or back off accordingly.
Tags: Dating, Dating, Ethics, Friendship, Judgment, Justice, Relationships, Romance
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Question 3: Online Jerks (29:36)
Question: Why are some people such jerks on the internet? Some seemingly decent people become downright malicious bastards on the internet, particularly when posting anonymously. Why is that? What does such behavior say about a person's moral character? How can a person keep his manners, his benevolence, and his cool in full force when online?
Answer, In Brief: The possibility of anonymity and psychological distance of online communication often makes being a jerk easy, so watch for those tendencies in yourself.
Tags: Communication, Conflict, Ethics, Internet, Judgment, Justice
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Question 4: Seeking Popularity (41:03)
Question: Is it always wrong to seek popularity? Because of the character Peater Keating I can't figure out in what context it would be right for an Objectivist to value or desire popularity, if at all.
Answer, In Brief: The moral problem with Peter Keating was his second-handed mode of thinking and acting, not his seeking of popularity per se. Popularity can be a rational value, in some contexts.
Tags: Ethics, Fame, Independence
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Question 5: Tattoos and Piercings (45:20)
Question: Are tattoos or piercings – all of them, or just some kinds – irrational and/or self-destructive? If so, why?
Answer, In Brief: The rationality of body art depends largely on what a person does and why. Given its permanence, a person should be careful that it reflects his values and enhances the beauty of his body.
Tags: Body Modification, Ethics
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Question 6: Dating a Pot-Smoker (51:32)
Question: Is it proper to date a girl who smokes pot? This woman, while not being an Objectivist, has many great qualities like being smart, attractive, funny, pro-reason and pro-man in general. She, however, likes to smoke marijuana. She says that it provides a great pleasure and relaxes her body and mind after a long day of work. What should I do about it? Confront her? Immediately break up with her?
Answer, In Brief: Regular marijuana use is a red flag for a person with problems in life, but try having a conversation – or two or three – to understand her views and your own. Also, a 30-day pot-free challenge might be very telling for everyone.
Tags: Alcohol/Drugs, Dating, Egoism, Ethics, Judgment, Justice, Moral Wrongs, Relationships, Romance
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Conclusion (59:46)
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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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