Webcast Q&A: Sunday, 25 September 2011
In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 25 September 2011, I answered questions on appropriate contexts for nudity, public nudity and rights, regretting time spent at work, addressing problems with neighbors, 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: Like last week, I've been tending to Paul and programming the new web site for this webcast. Also, I created a Facebook page for Ayn Rand Fans for Gary Johnson.
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Segments: 25 September 2011
Question 1: Appropriate Contexts for Nudity (3:38)
Question: What's the proper approach to nudity? Should we all be nude all the time? Should nudity be saved for your lover only? Should children see their parents naked? Should we have clothing-optional get-togethers with friends? Basically, what is your view of the proper contexts for nudity?
Answer, In Brief: A wide range of reasonable approaches to nudity with others are possible. However, be careful (1) not to sexualize non-sexual relationships, (2) to be polite to others, and (3) not to be motivated by bad ideology.
Tags: Ethics, Etiquette, Family, Family, Nudity, Parenting, Rights, Sex
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Question 2: Public Nudity and Rights (23:12)
Question: Do restrictions on nudity and sex visible to others violate rights? While having a zestful online debate, someone claimed that Ayn Rand contradicts herself in claiming that public nudity should be censored. (See "Thought Control" in The Ayn Rand Letter.) Since sex is a beautiful act, why should people be protected from it? Could a ban on visible pornography or sex be a slippery slope to other intrusions by government?
Answer, In Brief: In a free society, nuisances would only pertain to their perceptual forms, not their conceptual content. Hence, sexual displays could not be banned for being sexual, even if offensive to some.
Tags: Ethics, Etiquette, Free Speech, Law, Nudity, Nuisances, Pornography, Rights, Sex
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Question 3: Regretting Time Spent at Work (39:56)
Question: At death, should a person regret all the years spent at work? I often hear the saying, "No one ever laid on their death bed wishing they had spent more time in the office." What should a person think of that – and of the fact that so many people agree with it – in light of the virtue of productiveness?
Answer, In Brief: What should attitude toward work at end of life? It should be, "My work was meaningful. It made life interesting. It sustained me. It was worthy purpose." If that's not going to be your view, then make changes now!
Tags: Career, Death, Emotions, Productiveness, Work
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Question 4: Addressing Problems with Neighbors (46:18)
Question: How do I ask my neighbor not to take liberties with my driveway? I work out of my office on the ground floor of our home overlooking the street with partial view of our driveway. Every day, several times a day, a neighbor uses our driveway as a turnaround instead of using the intersection one house down, or her own driveway. My big problem with this is that she is using our private property for public use. I also find this distracting when I'm working as every time she pulls into the driveway I think someone is visiting. I'm having a difficult time deciding how to approach this as I want to remain friendly with my neighbor, and don't want to come off as an unbearable jerk for just asking her not to use my property. How would you approach this situation?
Answer, In Brief: Talk to your neighbors in a clear, calm, and friendly way about the problem, and if that fails, implement for Plan B.
Tags: Communication, Conflict, Neighbors, Property, Relationships, Rights
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Rapid Fire Questions (54:10)
- Would Roark have compromised his work if he had a family that could not be provided for by working in the quarry?
- Should a person always want to live an extra 20, 50, or 100 years, assuming good health?
- What do you think of the nudists' claim that semi-public nudity is an effective way to eliminate a negative body-image (as in the case of religious indoctrination)?
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Conclusion (1:01:10)
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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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