On the next Philosophy in Action Radio, I'll answer questions on buying time by voting Republican, avoiding regret over having children, and more. The live broadcast begins at 6 pm PT / 7 MT / 8 CT / 9 ET on Thursday, 20 February 2014. If you can't attend live, be sure to listen to the podcast later.
Upcoming Radio Shows
For a full listing of past and upcoming shows, visit the archives, sorted by date or by topic.
On Thursday, 20 February 2014, Greg Perkins and I will answer questions on buying time by voting Republican, avoiding regret over having children, and more on Philosophy in Action Radio. This episode of internet radio airs at 6 pm PT / 7 MT / 8 CT / 9 ET in our live studio. If you can't listen live, you'll find the podcast on the episode's archive page.
Episode Details
Question 1: Buying Time by Voting Republican: Should voters attempt to "buy time" for liberty by voting for Republican candidates? Often, supporters of capitalism are told that they need to "buy time" in order to advocate for liberty – meaning: they should vote for Republicans to stave off disaster and allow time to persuade the public of the nature and value of freedom. Does the debacle with the rollout of ObamaCare contradict this claim? ObamaCare has suffered from widespread attacks, not just from the right wing, but also from many mainstream media outlets and average citizens. These backlashes have forced the administration to issue substantive revisions of the law, and its political backers appear to be running scared. In this case, a statist policy has gone into effect, the public has felt its harmful effects, and that public has turned against the statist policy and its supporting politicians. After this, I am more optimistic about Americans, as well as less inclined to support Republicans at the federal level. Given the utter failure of free market advocates to turn back the regulatory state, might the public need to learn more lessons like that of ObamaCare, just as much as they need to be educated about abstract philosophy? Does support for Republicans in the federal government, who will at best maintain the mixed economy – where the positives caused by freedom can cloud the negatives caused by controls – actually result in a perpetual solidification of the status quo? If so – and combined with some of the GOP's irrational theocratic tendencies – should people actively (or passively) support keeping the Republican Party as the minority party in the near future by refusing to vote for or support its candidates?
Question 2: Avoiding Regret over Having Children: What should prospective parents do to ensure they won't regret having children? In your 10 March 2013 show, you discussed what parents should do if they regret having children. But what can potential parents do to ensure that won't happen? How can a person know what being a parent is like – for better or worse – before actually becoming a parent? Is a rational decision on this issue possible?
Rapid Fire Questions: Greg Perkins asks me random questions from the Rapid Fire Queue.
To join the live broadcast and its chat, just point your browser to Philosophy in Action's Live Studio a few minutes before the show is scheduled to start. By listening live, you can share your thoughts with other listeners and ask follow-up questions in the text chat.
On Thursday, 27 February 2014, Greg Perkins and I will answer questions on egoism and other people, being supportive versus being needy, and more on Philosophy in Action Radio. This episode of internet radio airs at 6 pm PT / 7 MT / 8 CT / 9 ET in our live studio. If you can't listen live, you'll find the podcast on the episode's archive page.
Episode Details
Question 1: Egoism and Other People: Does ethical egoism promote narcissism and insensitivity to others? People often suggest that ethical egoism – such as that advocated by Ayn Rand – promotes unfriendly if not hostile behavior toward other people. Ultimately, the egoist cares for himself above everything else, perhaps to the point that the thoughts and feelings of others aren't even noticed or of concern. The problem seems to be exacerbated by a commitment to moral absolutes and moral judgment. Do such philosophic principles incline a person to be self-absorbed, insensitive, hostile, unkind, or otherwise unpleasant to others? How can egoists take care not to fall into these traps?
Question 2: Being Supportive Versus Being Needy: Should my romantic partner be interested in and supportive of my accomplishments and pursuits? I have struggled for years in a relationship with someone who shows no interest in or support for my pursuits. I try not to be hurt. I tell myself I just need to do better in order to be worthy of respect and admiration. When I do explain to my partner why I'm hurt, he says I am being needy and that I shouldn't need his praise or reinforcement. I don't know how to logically disagree with this, yet I know how good it feels to receive earned praise from friends, and how painful it feels to accomplish something big and not receive any acknowledgement from my partner. What kind of emotional support should be expected from a partner? If a partner is dismissive and neglectful, how can one gain the confidence needed to leave the relationship?
Rapid Fire Questions: Greg Perkins asks me random questions from the Rapid Fire Queue.
To join the live broadcast and its chat, just point your browser to Philosophy in Action's Live Studio a few minutes before the show is scheduled to start. By listening live, you can share your thoughts with other listeners and ask follow-up questions in the text chat.
On Thursday, 13 February 2014, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on moral saints, inventing stories about yourself, and more on Philosophy in Action Radio. If you missed the live broadcast, you can now listen to the podcast.
Should a person want to be a 'moral saint'? Is it wrong to invent stories about yourself to tell to strangers?
For more details on this episode, including the full questions and relevant links, visit its archive page. You can automatically download this and other podcasts by subscribing to Philosophy in Action's Podcast RSS Feed:
On Thursday, 6 February 2014, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on feeling unproductive, the value of horror movies, and more on Philosophy in Action Radio. If you missed the live broadcast, you can now listen to the podcast.
How can I overcome feeling like a slacker? Do horror movies or books have any redeeming value?
For more details on this episode, including the full questions and relevant links, visit its archive page. You can automatically download this and other podcasts by subscribing to Philosophy in Action's Podcast RSS Feed:
On Tuesday, 28 January 2014, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on thinking of virtues as duties, overcoming paralyzing indecision, sharia finance, and more on Philosophy in Action Radio. If you missed the live broadcast, you can now listen to the podcast.
What's wrong with thinking about the virtues as duties? How can I overcome my paralyzing indecision? Should financial companies be permitted to offer financial products consistent with sharia law?
For more details on this episode, including the full questions and relevant links, visit its archive page. You can automatically download this and other podcasts by subscribing to Philosophy in Action's Podcast RSS Feed:
On Sunday, 19 January 2014, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on faith in reason, free speech of government officials, gay pride, and more on Philosophy in Action Radio. If you missed the live broadcast, you can now listen to the podcast.
Does being rational mean having faith in reason? Does freedom of speech apply to government officials? Are 'gay pride' parades good?
For more details on this episode, including the full questions and relevant links, visit its archive page. You can automatically download this and other podcasts by subscribing to Philosophy in Action's Podcast RSS Feed:
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.
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."
