On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on explaining egoistic benevolence, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.
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Whole Podcast: 22 December 2013
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 1:09:34
- Download: Enhanced M4A File (25.0 MB)
- Download: Standard MP3 File (23.9 MB)
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Podcast Segments: 22 December 2013
You can download or listen to my answers to individual questions from this episode below.
Introduction
My News of the Week: I’ve been preparing for Christmas, SnowCon Tahoe, and SnowCon!
Question 1: Explaining Egoistic Benevolence
Question: How can we better explain how helping others can be egoistic? In your October 7, 2013 radio show, you observed that people often don’t understand how acting kindly and generously towards friends is self-interested. Instead, they think that being benevolent toward anyone is “other-regarding” and hence, altruistic. How can we egoists untangle this seeming conflict for people?My Answer, In Brief: Egoists must do a better job of explaining that egoism — properly understood — is not manipulative, mercenary, predatory, or criminal. To see that, people need to understand egoism versus altruism in big-picture terms, as well as show how and why relationships with others can and should be win-wins.
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 4:39
- Duration: 52:14
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Altruism, Benevolence, Communication, Conflicts of Interest, Egoism, Ethics, Manipulation, Meta-Ethics, Predation, Relationships, Sacrifice, Self-Interest, Self-Sacrifice
Links:
- “The Objectivist Ethics” by Ayn Rand in The Virtue of Selfishness
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Rapid Fire Questions
Questions:
- Is there a limit to compartmentalization?
- Is it morally okay to lie at birthdays and Christmas for the sake of a surprise?
- Do those who abstain from voting still have the right to criticize the current administration?
- What kind of countermeasures can be taken against the hijacking of science – as seen with global warming – in the future?
- How can a person become more optimistic that rational ideas will be the norm of the future?
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 56:54
- Duration: 11:36
- Download: MP3 Segment
To comment on these questions or my answers, visit its comment thread.
Conclusion
Be sure to check out the topics scheduled for upcoming episodes! Don’t forget to submit and vote on questions for future episodes too!
- Start Time: 1:08:29
About Philosophy in Action Radio
Philosophy in Action Radio focuses on the application of rational principles to the challenges of real life. It broadcasts live on most Sunday mornings and many Thursday evenings over the internet. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.
