Forgiveness, Meaning of Life, Online IP, and More: 12 December 2010: Philosophy in Action

Webcast Q&A: Sunday, 12 December 2010

In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 12 December 2010, I answered questions on responding to beggars, responsibility for cultural change, toleration as a virtue, violent sports, punishment of government officials, and more. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was my co-host.

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Duration: 59:46

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Segments: 12 December 2010

Question 1: Responding to Beggars (5:53)

Question: What is the proper way to respond to a beggar? How should one respond when approached on the street by strangers asking for money? Do you have any suggestions for dealing with aggressive beggars?

Answer, In Brief: Just because someone asks for money doesn't mean that you're obliged to give them anything, even your attention.

Tags: Altruism, Benevolence, Ethics

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Question 2: Responsibility for Cultural Change (13:41)

Question: Are Objectivists obliged to work to change the culture? Do you think that it is morally necessary (most of the time, in most cases) for an Objectivist to do something to enact cultural change?

Answer, In Brief: Freedom not optional value, since your very life depends on it, but you should find some way to help promote a free society that meshes with your life and values.

Tags: Activism, Culture, Ethics, Politics

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Question 3: Toleration as a Virtue (30:48)

Question: Is toleration (or tolerance) a virtue?

Answer, In Brief: Contrary to the modern idea of tolerance, we should always judge and act on those judgments – but in so doing, we need to keep the broader context too.

Tags: Ethics, Judgment, Justice, Relativism, Tolerance

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Question 4: Violent Sports (39:08)

Question: What is the proper judgment of very violent sports and people's enjoyment of them? By "very violent sports," I mean ultimate fighting, boxing, etc. – where the objective is to draw blood or beat your opponent senseless. Is this proper entertainment for a rational person?

Answer, In Brief: Purpose of even violent sports is not harm or injury per se but rather a test of skills, knowledge, and capacities.

Tags: Ethics, Sports, Violence

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Question 5: Punishment of Government Officials (47:47)

Question: Should government officials be punished for rights violations committed via their office? Should the constitution of a rational government in a capitalist society mandate punishment of those in positions of governance who use the power of government to violate individual rights? For instance, McCain-Feingold represents a massive individual rights' violation; that of free speech and association. McCain and Feingold violated their oath to defend the Constitution as did all those who voted for it; George W. Bush explicitly abdicated his oath in his signing statement. Should such people be punished for legalizing such an encroachment? Currently, only Treason is specifically mentioned in the Constitution as a criminal act requiring punishment

Answer, In Brief: Such structural tweaks to our political system cannot compensate for culture-wide lack of concern for rights – and they might even be used against us.

Tags: Crime, Free Society, Government, Law

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Conclusion (58:24)

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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].