Radio Q&A: Sunday, 8 July 2012
In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 8 July 2012, I answered questions on the validity of psychic powers, managing office politics, sanction of friends, the cost of freedom, 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: I've been relaxing after two hectic weeks, plus doing a bit of writing for NoodleFood.
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Segments: 8 July 2012
Question 1: The Validity of Psychic Powers (3:31)
Question: Are psychic powers bunk? A friend convinced me to join him in visiting a psychic for a tarot card reading. Although I am opposed to mysticism, I didn't mind going and thought it would be funny. I was surprised to find this psychic knew things about me that (while vague) were very accurate descriptors, and could not have been known from my appearance (nor prior knowledge since it was an impromptu visit). It seems highly unlikely they could have guessed (and have guessed so accurately) correct character traits, issues and feelings. Is this evidence in favor of psychic powers? Or have I been misled?
Answer, In Brief: Psychic powers are bunk, and psychics use a variety of well-known techniques to fool their clients.
Tags: Epistemology, Paranormal, Psychology, Rationality
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Question 2: Managing Office Politics (21:38)
Question: How can a person effectively manage office politics? In almost any job, the internal politics of the company can be overwhelming. If you speak out, you can be embroiled in conflict and drama. If you stay silent, the pushy people will have their way, often for the worse. What should a person do who wants to actually work?
Answer, In Brief: Too often, "office politics" is just a catch-all for any interactions someone dislikes at work. Here, the person needs to understand the value of productive wrangling at work, and find ways to influence the outcomes that matter to him in ways that suit his personality preferences.
Tags: Communication, Conflict, Personality, Relationships, Work
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Question 3: Sanction of Friends (38:04)
Question: Am I responsible for the actions of my friends? Suppose that a friend of mine does something that others find objectionable. Am I obliged to state my opinion of what my friend did? If I refuse to state an opinion, should others assume that I endorse my friend's actions?
Answer, In Brief: A person endorses his friend's basic character by his friendship, not every word and deed of his friend.
Tags: Communication, Friendship, Moral Wrongs, Sanction
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Question 4: The Cost of Freedom (52:07)
Question: Shouldn't freedom be "free"? I often hear the bromide "freedom isn't free," or some variation of it, such as, "there's a price for freedom." But isn't freedom actually free? A person acts by right in pursuing his own life and happiness, and criminals do not have any right to coerce or threaten others. If freedom is the political expression of rights in a social or political context, it follows that there should be no "cost" to exercising one's rights. It isn't a sacrifice to not violate others rights, since respect for them is a selfish virtue, nor would it be a sacrifice to voluntarily fund a proper government that protects one's rights, since the benefit outweighs the cost. Am I correct in thinking freedom, properly understood and protected, is indeed free, or not? If I am, what do people mean when they say, "freedom isn't free," and what's the proper response?
Answer, In Brief: Although respecting and protecting rights is not any kind of loss or sacrifice, protecting rights against the actions of criminals does require a cost in time, money, and effort to accomplish. However, doing that by compulsion is never justified.
Tags: Free Society, Government, Military, Politics, Rights, Sacrifice, Taxes
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Rapid Fire Questions (1:01:49)
- Should baseball be exempt from antitrust law?
- I've heard that humor is a destructive element, does this mean that clowns are agents of destruction?
- Are free nations obliged to stop genocide?
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Conclusion (1:12:31)
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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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I can be reached via e-mail to [email protected].
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