Reasons to Donate Blood
Webcast Q&A: 3 July 2011, Question 4
I answered a question on reasons to donate blood on 3 July 2011. You can listen to or download the podcast of just this question below – or check out the whole episode of Philosophy in Action Radio.
What are the personal benefits of being a blood donor (or organ donor)? Is it worth doing under today's laws, where donors cannot get paid? Should people be able to trade blood and organs in a free market?
My Answer, In Brief: The primary reason to donate blood and organs is the value of other people to you and a desire for a well-stocked supply in case you or your loved ones are ever in need.
Tags: Benevolence, Ethics, Medicine, Politics
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- Duration: 7:44
- Download: MP3 Segment (2.7 MB)
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Relevant Links 
- Why I donate by Arwen
- Institute for Justice's Challenge to the National Organ Transplant Act
- Text Summary of John Stossel's 20/20 program on organ markets
- Organ Pedding debated by Richard Epstein and Atul Gawande
- Death’s Waiting List by Sally Satel
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About Philosophy in Action
I'm Dr. Diana Brickell. I'm a philosopher specializing in 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 book, Responsibility & Luck: A Defense of Praise and Blame, is available for purchase in paperback and Kindle. The book defends the justice of moral praise and blame of persons using an Aristotelian theory of moral responsibility, thereby refuting Thomas Nagel's "problem of moral luck."
My radio show, Philosophy in Action Radio, broadcasts live over the internet on most Sunday mornings and some Thursday evenings. On Sunday mornings, I answer 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 Thursday evenings, I interview an expert guest or discuss a topic of interest.
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