Moral Responsibility, Statism's Wreckage, Privacy in Marriage, and More
Q&A Radio: Sunday, 17 November 2013
I answered questions on free will and moral responsibility, values destroyed by statism, leaving an inmate boyfriend, privacy in marriage, and more on Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 17 November 2013. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was my co-host. You can listen to or download the podcast below.
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 doing that, but each episode requires our time, effort, and money. 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.
My News of the Week: I completed and posted the podcast of the reading of Chapter One of Responsibility & Luck: A Defense of Praise and Blame.
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Segments: 17 November 2013
Question 1: Free Will and Moral Responsibility (3:38)
Question: What is the relationship between free will and moral responsibility? To me, the concept of free will found in debates about determinism seems different from the concept of free will relevant to questions of moral responsibility. The former is a metaphysical concept, and a person either has free will or not. The latter is a psychological concept, and it seems to be a matter of degree based on nature and nurture. However, psychological free will seems to presuppose metaphysical free will. Is that right? What is the relationship between free will and moral responsibility?
Answer, In Brief: There is just one concept of free will, and moral responsibility is impossible without free will.
Tags: Ethics, Free Will, Moral Judgment, Moral Luck, Responsibility
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Question 2: Values Destroyed by Statism (19:37)
Question: What are the most significant values destroyed by statism? In other words, what values would be available to us – or more available – in a laissez-faire, rational society that are limited or unavailable to us today? What are some of the major (and perhaps under-appreciated) values destroyed or precluded by government overreach? To put the question another way: How would a proper government improve our lives?
Answer, In Brief: The values lost by statism are many and various, both economically and culturally. A good life is still possible in our mixed economy, but life could be so much better in a free society.
Tags: Culture, Economics, Ethics, Government, Rights
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Question 3: Leaving an Inmate Boyfriend (39:39)
Question: Should I leave my inmate boyfriend? I am in a dilemma. My current boyfriend is in prison serving a six year sentence. He has been away for a year and a half. It took over two years for the legal matters to be settled and for him to finally get a sentence. This is also my first ever boyfriend and I am already 26. Is it wrong for me to want to move on with my life? After he gets out (if no appeal is granted) he will be forced into a very limited lifestyle being on a sex offender list. I keep thinking about trying to make new friends and what I should and should not disclose to them. Right now, I live with his parents and work with his mother. I feel like I am cornered and am drowning in this huge mess. I want my own life, but with zero support and friends I am terrified of the risk. Do I stick it out? Or do I suck it up and leave him, my home, and my job?
Answer, In Brief: You're certainly not obliged to stay with your boyfriend, and based on your comments here, you should seriously consider leaving him. Mostly, however, you need to rouse the courage to establish yourself as an independent and self-sufficient person.
Tags: Ethics, Honesty, Independence, Relationships, Romance
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Question 4: Privacy in Marriage (50:03)
Question: Are spouses entitled to privacy with each other? My wife thinks that she should have access to all my online accounts, including my email. I don't have any secrets from her, and my email doesn't contain anything scandalous. Still, I don't want her prying into my conversations, and I don't see that she has any reason to do so. I've never given her any reason to distrust me. Aren't I entitled to some privacy in my marriage?
Answer, In Brief: As a matter of trust in and respect for the spouse, a person should respect the privacy of his spouse's emails and other communications.
Tags: Communication, Ethics, Marriage
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Rapid Fire Questions (1:02:10)
- Socialists often talk of the upper classes 'controlling' things, like private education or health care, and deliberately excluding the lower classes--do you think this phenomenon exists to any extent?
- Is gender just a social construct?
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Conclusion (1:05:38)
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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 first book, Responsibility & Luck: A Defense of Praise and Blame, is available for purchase in paperback, as well as for Kindle and Nook. 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 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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