Webcast Q&A: Sunday, 14 August 2011
In the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 14 August 2011, I answered questions on proper immigration policy, cryonics and life extension, returning lost money, deliberately losing a pricey library book, and more. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was my co-host.
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Segments: 14 August 2011
Question 1: Proper Immigration Policy (3:44)
Question: Why should a free country have open borders? In your July 24th webcast, you agreed with the questioner that the current laws restricting immigration are wrong. Why? Shouldn't Americans be able to restrict immigration, if they so choose? What, if any, limits should be set on immigration?
Answer, In Brief: A policy of open immigration is the only moral policy for a free society because it's the only policy that respects individual rights. It's also the only practical policy because immigrants enhance the culture and the economy. Opposition to immigration almost always stems from collectivism.
Tags: Conservatism, Economics, Ethics, Free Society, Immigration, Law, Politics
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Question 2: Cryonics and Life Extension (25:05)
Question: What's the proper view of using cryonics as a means of extending one's life? Suppose there is at least a small chance that, if I am cryonically frozen in the coming years, doctors will be able to revive me at some point in the future. And suppose that the cost is not an impediment – meaning that I don't have to give up any other important values in order to pay. Would this then be morally required because life is the standard of value? Would it be morally optional? Or is there some reason why it would be irrational?
Answer, In Brief: If you're considering cryonics, you should think seriously about range of possible outcomes, as well as how else that money could be spent. In the end, if you think it worth doing, then do it. If not, then don't.
Tags: Ethics, Health, Life, Life Extension
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Question 3: Returning Lost Money (33:13)
Question: If you find money in a house that you've purchased should you return it? A man recently found about $45,000 hidden in the house that he'd recently bought. (See this article.) It was saved up by the prior owner, now dead. He returned it to the man's children. Should the buyer of the house have returned the money? Was he morally or legally obligated to do so? If not, was doing so foolish or altruistic?
Answer, In Brief: In some such cases, you cannot regard yourself as morally entitled to the money, even if it's legally yours. In that case, you should return it, and to fail to do so would be a breech of integrity.
Tags: Benevolence, Ethics, Honesty, Justice, Property, Property, Rights
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Question 4: Deliberately Losing a Pricey Library Book (42:53)
Question: Is it moral to "defraud" a public library? There is an out-of-print book that I can't get for less than $100, a price I am not willing to pay. My library has a copy but they won't offer it for sale. Is it wrong to tell the library it is "lost" and just pay the fees, assuming they are reasonable? Does it matter that the library is an illegitimate government program that I'm taxed to support?
Answer, In Brief: To do that would be dishonest, because you're faking reality to gain a value. Even though the library is a government entity, you're not forced to deal with it, and you shouldn't use the government to obtain a good that you're not willing to pay market rates for.
Tags: Ethics, Government, Honesty, Politics
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Rapid Fire Questions (51:24)
- What do philosophers mean when they talk about "zombies"?
- Should Israel allow unlimited immigration?
- Would you control the rate of entry in immigration?
- What other policies might need to be changed with open immigration?
- What do you think of Yaron Brook's "buy a house, get a green card" proposal?
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Conclusion (1:00:21)
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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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