Philosophy in Action: Virtues as Duties, Indecision, Sharia Finance, and More: Podcast of 28 January 2014

Virtues as Duties, Indecision, Sharia Finance, and More

Q&A Radio: Tuesday, 28 January 2014

I answered questions on thinking of virtues as duties, overcoming paralyzing indecision, sharia finance, and more on Philosophy in Action Radio on Tuesday, 28 January 2014. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was my co-host. You can listen to or download the podcast below.

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Duration: 1:03:26

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Segments: 28 January 2014

Question 1: Thinking of Virtues as Duties (3:36)

Question: What's wrong with thinking about the virtues as duties? My parents taught me ethics in terms of "duties." So being honest and just was a duty, along with "sharing" and "selflessness." They were simply "the right way to be," period. Now, I tend to think of the Objectivist virtues – rationality, productiveness, honesty, justice, independence, integrity, and pride – as duties. I have a duty to myself to act in these ways. Is that right or is that a mistake?

Answer, In Brief: A person who thinks of virtue as duties – as obligations, come what may, disconnected from his life and values – invites serious emotional and cognitive problems.

Tags: Context, Duty, Duty Ethics, Emotions, Ethics, Meta-Ethics, Motivation, Psychology, Purpose, Values, Virtue

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Question 2: Overcoming Paralyzing Indecision (15:46)

Question: How can I overcome my paralyzing indecision? I am caught amid some difficult circumstances at present. To make matters worse, I suffer from almost paralyzing indecision about major life decisions, especially with respect to my career. As a result of my failure to act decisively, I have stagnated painfully for years, missing many opportunities. How can I break out of this horrible pattern?

Answer, In Brief: Paralyzing indecision is a serious problem. You can do various things to help yourself overcome that – such as setting deadlines, practicing being decisive, and considering the consequences of failing to make decisions. But if your problem is interfering with your life, you should see a therapist.

Tags: Decision-Making, Deliberation, Ethics, Personality, Psychology, Values

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Question 3: Sharia Finance (37:17)

Question: Should financial companies be permitted to offer financial products consistent with sharia law? Sharia Finance – meaning, investments that specifically conform with Islamic law – are growing in popularity and have been adopted by major financial companies like Citi. Should these private businesses be legally permitted to offer whatever their clients want to buy? Or should these investments be banned due to their connection with funding terror, oppressing women, and violating rights in other ways? Morally, should companies offer these investments? Should people protest or boycott companies offering them?

Answer, In Brief: Sharia finance is economically backwards, but not a violation of rights. Companies should be allowed to offer it – and it's moral for them to do so or refuse, as they see fit.

Tags: Business, Ethics, Finance, Islam, Law, Religion

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Rapid Fire Questions (47:01)

In this segment, I answered questions chosen at random by Greg Perkins impromptu. The questions were:

What bedtime stories would you recommend for children?
What explains the early Church Fathers' denunciations of human sexuality? Is it altruism, misogyny, or something else?
After recently experiencing a loss, I feel as though grief is the most selfish of all emotions. Is this true? Are some emotions more selfish than others?
Is it moral to avoid marriage simply to gain financial aid while in college?
Would you recommend Stephen Molyneux's videos?
If morality is not primarily social, and flourishing can be achieved on one's own, could a flourishing person be morally condemned if they are also a hermit?
Would it be wrong for a person to murder a serial killer who framed him for his own murders, and thereby ruined his life completely?
What are the ground rules for getting intimate with pets around? How close can they be before it's creepy?

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Conclusion (1:01:38)

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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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