Anti-Discrimination Laws, Cultural Change, and More: 10 February 2013: Philosophy in Action

Q&A Radio: Sunday, 10 February 2013

In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 10 February 2013, I answered questions on the wrong of anti-discrimination laws, Objectivism's potential to save the culture, declining to socialize at work, and more. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was my co-host.

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Duration: 1:10:26

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Segments: 10 February 2013

Question 1: The Wrong of Anti-Discrimination Laws (2:06)

Question: What's wrong with anti-discrimination laws? Most people support anti-discrimination laws, even though such laws violate the freedom of association. Have such laws done genuine good by making racism, sexism, and homophobia unacceptable in the culture? Have such laws had negative side-effects? Should they be abolished – and if so, why?

Answer, In Brief: However well-intentioned, anti-discrimination laws violate every person's right of free association and encourage systems of racial quotas. They also drive racism underground, cast unjust doubt on their supposed beneficiaries, and promote a race-focused culture.

Tags: Culture, Discrimination, Ethics, Free Society, Law, Race, Racism

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Question 2: Objectivism's Potential to Save the Culture (28:46)

Question: Can Objectivism save the culture? Advocates of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism often claim that the philosophy is necessary for substantially changing the culture for the better. That seems presumptuous to me. Is it true? Also, is the philosophy sufficient for saving the culture? Or is more needed?

Answer, In Brief: Objectivism is important resource and guide in work of cultural change, but it's not sufficient and only partly necessary. The goal must be to actively apply and circulate its core values – including secularism, rationality, egoism, virtue, individual rights.

Tags: Activism, Culture, Objectivism, Philosophy

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Question 3: Declining to Socialize at Work (50:44)

Question: How can I politely tell my co-workers that I'm not interested in socializing? I have always struggled with the pressure to form friendships at work. Personally, I don't want to hang out with my coworkers after work. I don't want to chit chat during work. I won't want to celebrate birthdays or other personal events. This is always interpreted as me being snobbish, aloof, and worst of all "not a team player." It's so annoying. I just want to do a good job and then leave, not join a social club. How can I communicate that without being offensive?

Answer, In Brief: A person can be friendly and pleasant at work while declining to participate in social activities outside of work.

Tags: Communication, Friendship, Personality, Productivity, Psychological Visibility, Relationships, Work

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Rapid Fire Questions (1:03:12)

In this segment, I answered random questions chosen by Greg Perkins impromptu. The questions were:

What do you think the DiSC personality types of Ayn Rand's heroes would be?
What do you think of the proposed Idaho bill that would require school children to read "Atlas Shrugged"?

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Conclusion (1:08:43)

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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].