Philosophy in Action: Mental Illness, Abused Children, Resisting Police, and More: Podcast of 21 April 2013

Q&A Radio: Sunday, 21 April 2013

I answered questions on the reality of mental illness, the state's role in caring for children of unfit parents, resisting illegitimate police action, and more on Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 21 April 2013. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was my co-host. You can listen to or download the podcast below.

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My News of the Week: I'm broadcasting from Tuscon today! I've been working on the final layout of my dissertation, plus editing show notes from past Q&As into book form!

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Duration: 1:09:09

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Segments: 21 April 2013

Question 1: The Reality of Mental Illness (5:16)

Question: Is mental illness nothing more than a myth? It seems that many members of the free-market movement are enthused about the theory, promulgated by the likes of Thomas Szasz and Jeffrey A. Schaler, that there is no such thing as mental illness. They say that if one cannot pinpoint a direct physiological cause for behavior considered "mentally ill," there are no grounds for referring to that behavior as a symptom of some "illness." Furthermore, they argue that the concept of "mental illness" is simply a term that the social establishment uses to stigmatize nonconformist behavior of which it does not approve. Is there anything to these claims? If not, what's the proper understanding of the basic nature of mental illness?

Answer, In Brief: Thomas Szasz's arguments against mental illness are based on deep-rooted philosophical subjectivism. In fact, mental health can be an objective, fact-based, normative concept.

Tags: Ethics, Health, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Meta-Ethics, Philosophy, Psychology, Relativism, Subconscious, Subjectivism

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Question 2: The State's Role in Caring for Children of Unfit Parents (30:10)

Question: What should the state's role be in dealing with abused children? The state needs to remove children from homes where they're being abused--where their rights are being violated. But what should it then do with them? Should the state care for them until it can find a new home for them? How should it provide that care? If it cannot find a new home for a child, what happens to that child? Should the state raise the child to adulthood?

Answer, In Brief: As a matter of protecting the rights of children, the state must assume the costs of care for children if unfit parents refuse to pay, as they ought. It's bad debt, not welfare.

Tags: Children, Ethics, Free Society, Government, Law, Parents, Rights

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Question 3: Resisting Illegitimate Police Action (42:45)

Question: When is it moral to resist police action? Last year, the governor of Indiana signed a bill into law granting protection to citizens that resist the unlawful actions of a public servant. If a police officer enters your home without your knowledge or consent – legally or illegally – and you have no way of knowing whether he is an unlawful intruder, are you morally justified in taking violent action against him? When is it moral to forcibly resist police actions?

Answer, In Brief: When being invaded or brutalized by the police, a person has the moral and legal right to resist, yet doing so might result in worse injury or death. To better protect innocent people, systemic changes are required of the criminal justice system.

Tags: Crime, Ethics, Firearms, Justice, Law, Police, Self-Defense

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Rapid Fire Questions (58:05)

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

Between the Boston Marathon Bombing and the explosion in Texas, this week has sucked. Any thoughts?
What is an artists moral obligation to show reality of life, such as wars?
Should women serve in combat in the military?
What is the single most important value for securing a meaningful relationship either romantic or friendship?

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Conclusion (1:06:59)

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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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