On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, I answered questions on the speed of free market reforms, the role of empathy in morality, and more with Greg Perkins. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading. You’ll find it on the episode’s archive page, as well as below.
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Podcast: Free Market Reforms, Empathy and Morality, and More
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 1:06:54
- Download: Enhanced M4A File (24.0 MB)
- Download: Standard MP3 File (23.0 MB)
Remember, with every episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, we show how rational philosophy can help you find joy in your work, model virtue for your kids, pursue your goals effectively, communicate with respect, and advocate for a free society. We can’t do that without your support, so please remember to tip your philosopher!
You can download or listen to individual questions from this episode below.
Introduction (0:00)
My News of the Week: Monday’s talk on “Why Personality Matters in Politics… But Not in the Way You Think” at Liberty on the Rocks – Flatirons was a blast. Lila and I went foxhunting (really, coyote chasing) on Wednesday. I’ve made good progress updating my scripts to accomodate old and new podcasts.
Question 1: The Speed of Free Market Reforms (4:33)
In this segment, I answered a question on the speed of free market reforms.
Should free-market reforms be gradual or instantaneous? Many advocates of free markets concede that reforms toward capitalism should be gradual. For example, Yaron Brook said recently about abolishing Social Security, “There is no way to eliminate it tomorrow. There is no way to eliminate it… cold turkey.” But why not? What’s wrong with the “cold turkey” approach? Is the concern simply that the only way to get people to accept reforms is to make them slowly? Or would it be somehow unjust to cut off people’s entitlements suddenly, given that they’ve come to depend on them?
My Answer, In Brief: If Americans were supportive, many free market reforms could and should be immediate. However, gradual reforms are wise in some cases, and welfare programs for people without the capacity to support themselves should be phased out gradually – for moral and practical reasons.
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 29:59
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Charity, Disability, Economics, Ethics, Government, Justice, Law, Politics, Welfare
Links:
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Question 2: The Role of Empathy in Morality (34:33)
In this segment, I answered a question on the role of empathy in morality.
What is the relationship between empathy and morality? Must a person possess a strong sense of empathy to be moral? Is empathy an important quality of character or moral emotion – or the most important? What’s the role of empathy in a rational person’s life?
My Answer, In Brief: Feelings of empathy are morally neutral. A person faces various moral challenges and pitfalls, whether he feels empathy strongly and often or not. Morality – as concerns others – requires grasping perspective of others (among other things), and acting in decent and just way toward them.
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 20:41
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Emotionalism, Emotions, Empathy, Ethics, Narcissism, Personality, Psychology, Rationality, Reason, Relationships
Links:
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Rapid Fire Questions (55:15)
In this segment, I answered questions impromptu. The questions were:
- Would sidewalks be privately owned in a free society? If so, would I have to pay to walk out of my front door?
- Why do religions seem to get special treatment over secular world views?
- Oscar Wilde argued we should surround ourselves with beautiful things so as to make our lives as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Do you think this is good advice for a rational person?
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 9:44
- Download: MP3 Segment
To comment on these questions or my answers, visit its comment thread.
Conclusion (1:04:59)
Be sure to check out my blog NoodleFood and to submit and vote on questions for upcoming episodes.
About Philosophy in Action Radio
Philosophy in Action Radio applies rational principles to the challenges of real life in live internet radio shows on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.
Remember, with every episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, we show how rational philosophy can help you find joy in your work, model virtue for your kids, pursue your goals effectively, communicate with respect, and advocate for a free society. We can’t do that without your support, so please remember to tip your philosopher!
