Webcast Q&A: Sunday, 1 May 2011
In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 1 May 2011, I answered questions on open minds, long-distance relationships, peanut bans, love at first sight, Objectivist Free State Project, virtue as a mean, 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.
My News of the Week: On Tuesday, I hope to put a dent in Colorado's campaign finance laws. Also, I'm still working on my updates to Explore Atlas Shrugged.
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Segments: 1 May 2011
Question 1: Open Minds (3:08)
Question: When should a rational person be open-minded? Many people seem to have a mistaken idea of what it means to have an open mind. Where should a person draw the line between (a) listening to an opinion/idea and considering its value and (b) writing off the idea/opinion as hogwash?
Answer, In Brief: A person needs an active, critical mind – not an open mind.
Tags: Epistemology, Ethics, Philosophy, Psycho-Epistemology
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Question 2: Long-Distance Relationships (12:17)
Question: What do you think of long-distance relationships? Do you see any dangers in long-distance relationships? Hasn't the internet made such relationships nearly as good as living in the same city?
Answer, In Brief: Long-distance relationships are a pale shadow of in-person relationships, because two people cannot integrate their lives long-distance.
Tags: Dating, Friendship, Love, Relationships, Romance
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Question 3: Peanut Bans (19:15)
Question: Are peanut bans in schools immoral? In particular, do restrictions on certain types of food in schools (such as peanuts due to a known peanut allergy) infringe on the rights of the parents of the non-allergic kids to determine the type of diet their children follow? Are the parents of the non-allergic kids making an immoral sacrifice by following the 'no-peanut' rules? What about parents who choose to ignore the rule and send the food to school anyway? Would this scenario be any different in a private school versus a government school?
Answer, In Brief: For school to ban peanuts due to serious allergy of student is morally right and proper, because it's the most simple and effective means of eliminating a major risk to life and health of a kid in its care.
Tags: Children, Education, Ethics, Health, Parenting
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Question 4: Love at First Sight (31:53)
Question: Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not?
Answer, In Brief: Attraction and interest is possible at first sight, but not love, because love requires deep knowledge of a person and deep affinity based on fundamental values.
Tags: Character, Dating, Emotions, Love, Relationships, Romance, Values
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Question 5: Objectivist Free State Project (41:14)
Question: Where is the best place in the country for an Objectivist to live? The Free State Project in New Hampshire is proving to be a success for libertarians; especially in the town of Keene. I wonder if there might be some potential for a critical mass of Objectivists along similar lines. Is this even worthwhile?
Answer, In Brief: An Objectivist "Free State" Project would not be effective, nor selfish. Instead, every rationally selfish person should live in whatever location most suits his values.
Tags: Community, Free Society, Libertarianism, Objectivism, Politics
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Question 6: Virtue as a Mean (47:43)
Question: Is Aristotle's concept of virtue as a mean between extremes of vices valid? In philosophy class my professor attributed the idea of the "Golden Mean" to Aristotle. I understand the concept, and I agree with the principle to some extent, but it still does not sit right with me somehow. (Perhaps the problem is the idea of moderation for moderation's sake.) Is this idea valid as is, or is the essence right with a sloppy framework?
Answer, In Brief: Aristotle's doctrine of virtue as a mean is an attempt to make ethics objective. The theory is wrong, but not as wrong as the common doctrine of "moderation for moderation's sake."
Tags: Aristotle, Ethics, Philosophy
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Conclusion (59:09)
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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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