Webcast Q&A: Sunday, 3 July 2011
In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 3 July 2011, I answered questions on moral obligations of children to parents, the boundaries of proper self-defense, real life evil, reasons to donate blood, 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: 3 July 2011
Question 1: Moral Obligations of Children to Parents (3:49)
Question: Do kids have moral obligations to their parents? If so, what obligations and why?
Answer, In Brief: Morality is self-motivating: a person should act virtuously in order to live and be happy. Hence, there are no unchosen, unconditional moral obligations (i.e. duties) to other people. Instead, moral obligations to others arise from our own choices, particularly from promises and agreements that we make with others – and that applies to children as well as adults.
Tags: Adult Children, Children, Ethics, Family, Parenting
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Question 2: The Boundaries of Proper Self-Defense (18:37)
Question: Is it moral to not defend yourself if you will get into legal trouble for doing so? As I understand laws on self-defense, you must be "in immediate danger of death or grievously bodily harm" in order to use lethal force. How is this reconciled with the morality of "shooting before he shoots you" or "hitting before you get hit"? In other words, preemptive attack may be seen as assault, but there might also be a threat of force. Is it moral to not defend yourself to avoid assault charges? In the case of using a gun to defend yourself, this could mean the difference between you dying at the hands of your attacker or living, but going to jail for murder. What should you do?
Answer, In Brief: It is morally and legally proper to defend yourself, under certain conditions. As Boston T. Party explains, "Lethal force is valid only against a reasonably perceived immanent and grievous threat. The jury must agree that your assailant had the capability, opportunity, and obvious intent to immanently cause you at least grievous bodily harm.”
Tags: Ethics, Firearms, Law, Self-Defense
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Question 3: Real Life Evil (34:57)
Question: Are people in real life as evil as in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged? In Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand presents almost every bad person as very evil. I understand the purpose of that in the novel, but are their equivalents in real life (meaning the legislators passing similar laws nowadays) as evil as that – or are some of them just misguided or even stupid? In other words, do real-life people act on the death premise and hate the good for being the good? I just can't imagine that. Am I being too optimistic?
Answer, In Brief: Evil is real — and not on sidelines today. But you can fight it and protect yourself from it.
Tags: Activism, Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand, Ethics, Evil, Judgment, Justice, Objectivism, Sanction
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Question 4: Reasons to Donate Blood (45:02)
Question: 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?
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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Rapid Fire Questions (52:46)
- If there was free trade in organs, do you think medical science have even more of an incentive to be creating artificial organs?
- What if your blood donation goes to support the life of an evil dictator?
- Should a person be more cautious about organ donation given the increasing government controls in medicine?
- Should gays be forbidden from donating blood?
- Why do you think that tattoos should be easily concealed?
- In the wake of the financial crisis, is more financial reform required?
- Why should women exit elevators before men?
- Should we be able to ask the "unaskable" questions on job interviews (such as on religion)?
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Conclusion (1:08:13)
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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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