Radio Q&A: Sunday, 15 July 2012
In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 15 July 2012, I answered questions on multiculturalism and tolerance, speaking out against bigotry, acting out emotions versus acting on emotions, justified war, 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: 15 July 2012
Question 1: Multiculturalism and Tolerance (4:32)
Question: What's wrong with multiculturalism? Many people think that "multiculturalism" just means being tolerant of people with different cultural practices than your own. Is that right? What is multiculturalism? What are some examples of it? What's wrong with it, if anything?
Answer, In Brief: A person can and should value a multicultural society while rejecting the destructive collectivist ideology of multiculturalism.
Tags: Culture, Ethics, Judgment, Justice, Multiculturalism, Politics, Race, Relativism
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Question 2: Speaking Out Against Bigotry (24:06)
Question: When should a person speak up against bigotry? My boyfriend and I were at a party at the home of one of his coworkers. One person at the party started using offensive homophobic slurs, so I asked him not to use that kind of language. He persisted, and the conversation escalated into an argument. My boyfriend did not take a position, and he later said he "didn't want to get involved" and that it had been "none of my business" to stick my neck out against the bigot. I believe that silence implies acceptance. Though there may not be a moral obligation to intervene, it still seems like the right thing to do. What is the moral principle behind this? Is it important enough to end a relationship over?
Answer, In Brief: A person need not – and sometimes should not – dive into an argument over bigotry, but he should not passively accept or tolerate it either. In most cases, a person can register an objection, and if the bigotry persists, extract himself.
Tags: Bigotry, Communication, Conflict, Ethics, GLBT, Justice, Race, Relationships
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Question 3: Acting Out Emotions Versus Acting On Emotions (42:09)
Question: What's the difference between acting on emotions and acting out emotions? Emotions sometimes cry out for bodily expression, such as hitting something when you're angry. Is "acting out emotions" in that way a form of emotionalism? How is it different, if at all, from acting on emotions?
Answer, In Brief: Emotions often require some form of bodily expression, but a person should use his reason to judge what's appropriate, rather than simply indulging emotions without thought.
Tags: Emotions, Ethics, Personality, Psychology
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Question 4: Justified War (52:00)
Question: When would a free society go to war? What would the attitude of a rights-respecting country be toward war? How would wars be funded and manned? Is isolationism or interventionism the proper approach?
Answer, In Brief: War, hellish though it is, is justified to protect citizens from invasion, terrorism, and other external threats to rights.
Tags: Ethics, Foreign Policy, War
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Rapid Fire Questions (1:11:38)
- On your show about personalities you mostly talked about people who are high in a specific DISC type, what about people who are rather low in their type?
- I enjoyed your show about DISC, could proximity be a factor in dominance? (I'm not so dominant face-to-face, but I am online.)
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Conclusion (1:14:41)
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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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