On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on “stand your ground” laws, advice to new Objectivists, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.
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Whole Podcast: 15 June 2014
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 1:04:19
- Download: Enhanced M4A File (23.1 MB)
- Download: Standard MP3 File (22.1 MB)
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Podcast Segments: 15 June 2014
You can download or listen to my answers to individual questions from this episode below.
Introduction
My News of the Week: I competed in another three-phase event on Lila yesterday. Now I’m off to visit my parents as they RV around South Dakota.
Question 1: “Stand Your Ground” Laws
Question: Are “stand your ground” self-defense laws proper? Should a potential crime victim in reasonable fear of of his life be required to attempt to withdraw from a confrontation when possible? Or is it proper to allow him to “stand his ground” and use a firearm to kill the assailant?My Answer, In Brief: The right to self-defense is not unlimited. A person has a minimal duty to retreat when in public setting – provided that such retreat is easy, obvious, and safe.
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 3:46
- Duration: 15:35
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Ethics, Firearms, Law, Rights, Self-Defense
Links:
- Wikipedia: Stand-your-ground law and Castle doctrine
- Lethal Self-Defense, the Quantum of Proof, the “Duty to Retreat,” and the Aggressor Exception by Eugene Volokh
- The Single Most Important Lesson Gun Owners Should Learn From The George Zimmerman Case by Paul Hsieh
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Question 2: Advice to New Objectivists
Question: What advice would you give to a new Objectivist? At ATLOSCon, you led a discussion on “What I Wish I’d Known as a New Objectivist.” Personally, I wish I could tell younger self that the term “selfish” doesn’t mean the “screw everyone else, I’m getting mine” behavior that most people think it means. Other people will use the term that way, and trying to correct them is an uphill battle not worth fighting. I’d tell my younger self to just use a long-winded circumlocution to get the point across. What other kinds of obstacles do people new to Objectivism commonly encounter? What advice would you give to new Objectivists to help them recognize and overcome those obstacles?My Answer, In Brief: People new to Objectivism – particularly young people – tend to make certain common kinds of errors. They can be avoided, and more experienced Objectivists can help the newer Objectivists with that.
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 19:22
- Duration: 39:00
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Aesthetics, Art, Ayn Rand, Communication, Epistemology, Ethics, Music, Objectivism, Personality, Philosophy, Psychology, Rationalism, Relationships, Values
Links:
- ATLOS
- Understanding Objectivism (kindle) by Leonard Peikoff
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Rapid Fire Questions
Questions:
- What is the opposite of egalitarianism? Elitism? Differentialism? Hierarchism? Justice?
- Is it ever just to ‘make an example’ of a criminal?
- Would you ever consider doing a TED lecture? If so, what would it be about?
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 58:22
- Duration: 4:11
- 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: 1:02:33
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.
