On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on progress on long-term goals, claims of white privilege, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.

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Whole Podcast: 29 December 2013

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 1:17:42
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (27.9 MB)
• Download: Standard MP3 File (26.7 MB)

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Podcast Segments: 29 December 2013

You can download or listen to my answers to individual questions from this episode below.

Introduction

My News of the Week: I enjoyed Christmas with my parents and husband in Breckenridge. Also, if you want a signed copy of my new book, Responsibility & Luck: A Defense of Praise and Blame, be sure to order that before the end of December! They won’t be available again until April.

Question 1: Progress on Long-Term Goals

Question: How can I make better progress on my long-term goals? I have the curious affliction of stagnating, often for very long periods of time, on long term goals. That happens even when those goals pertain to pursuits I enjoy. This pattern has me confused and somewhat alarmed, because I know that these long term goals I have set for myself will be the most meaningful for me to accomplish. Although I see the great value in skill-building for a new career, learning to play the piano, learning a new language, and so on, I cannot seem to get myself to take the daily, repeated action required for more than a week or two. That happens, despite my applying GTD and breaking down the larger task into manageable pieces. My neophile personality simply takes interest in something else, and I miss a day (then two, then three) of taking action, preventing me from ever establishing an activity as a habit. How can I break this cycle of mediocrity, so that I can really start making progress on long term goals?

My Answer, In Brief: You can get more done if you (1) know the real-life purpose of your endeavor, (2) track your progress in objective way, (3) respect the major effort required to concentrate, (4) are realistic about what’s possible to you, and (5) monitor yourself as you work.

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 3:23
• Duration: 32:54
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Concentration, Goals, Life, Mental Inertia, Productivity, Purpose, Self-Improvement, Skills

Links:

• TEDx: The first 20 hours – how to learn anything by Josh Kaufman
• Mastery by George Leonard
• Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule by Paul Graham
• Want to Lose Weight This Year? Choose the Right Resolution by Uri Gneezy

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 2: Claims of White Privilege

Question: What is the individualist response to claims about “white privilege”? In May 2013, you published a blog post entitled “Personal Motives for Benevolence” where you introduced the idea that prejudice is often formed by favoritism and not overt bigotry. Clearly, such favoritism can be based on race too. So what is the proper and just response to claims of “white privilege” – such as found in the article “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Peggy McIntosh?

My Answer, In Brief: Talk of “white privilege” is often saturated with collectivism and other false assumptions. However, the phenomena of in-group privilege is a very real and important influence on social behavior, due to our natural affinity for people similar to us. However, we must ensure that such doesn’t render our actions – and particularly not the criminal justice system – unjust.

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 36:17
• Duration: 32:13
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Benevolence, Crime, Culture, Ethics, Groups, Individualism, Justice, Privilege, Race, Racism, Sexism

Links:

• NoodleFood: Personal Motives for Benevolence
• White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
• The Atlantic: I Got Myself Arrested So I Could Look Inside the Justice System by Bobby Constantino

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Rapid Fire Questions

Questions:

• If the universe has always existed, does that make it an actual infinity?
• Why do the philosophical skeptics, who claim that even skepticism could be wrong, seem to be the ones least willing to entertain any argument that concludes that such is the case?

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 1:08:31
• Duration: 7:53
• 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: 1:16:24

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.