On Thursday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on improving candidates for office, increasing psychological visibility, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.

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Whole Podcast: 30 October 2014

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 1:12:13
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (25.9 MB)
• Download: Standard MP3 File (24.8 MB)

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The mission of Philosophy in Action is to spread rational principles for real life… far and wide. That’s why the vast majority of my work is available to anyone, free of charge. I love doing the radio show, but each episode requires an investment of time, effort, and money to produce. So if you enjoy and value that work of mine, please contribute to the tip jar. I suggest $5 per episode or $20 per month, but any amount is appreciated. In return, contributors can request that I answer questions from the queue pronto, and regular contributors enjoy free access to premium content and other goodies.

Podcast Segments: 30 October 2014

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

Introduction

My News of the Week: I’ve been catching up on work, as well as stocking my new “toterhome” (a.k.a. Helga).

Question 1: Improving Candidates for Office

Question: How can people improve the quality of politicians in office? Although it’s easy to condemn all politicians, some are better than others. How can we get more of the better politicians into office? Should people committed to rights run for office? Or should those people work to elect better (but still mixed) politicians? Or should they try to convince established politicians to embrace rights? What’s the best strategy for effective political change?

My Answer, In Brief: Don’t try to change politicians, change the political climate by smart issue advocacy and politician will change with the tide.

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 3:01
• Duration: 19:31
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Activism, Conservatism, Elections, Politics, Progressivism

Links:

• Philosophy in Action: Dr. Paul Hsieh on Understanding the Three Languages of Politics and Dr. Eric Daniels on Why Voting Doesn’t Matter

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

Question 2: Increasing Psychological Visibility

Question: How can I achieve greater psychological visibility? Recently, I realized that many of my emotional difficulties in life – such as in maintaining motivation or keeping serene – may be exacerbated by feelings of psychological invisibility. In other words, I feel uncared for and unnoticed, and the deep dissatisfaction stemming from that could be potentially affecting a lot of areas in my life. For instance, I recently spoke to my manager as to my problems at work, and it made me feel so uniquely good that I was able to finish my shift in peace and on-track, in contrast to the bitter, near seething prior hours. That unique feeling indicates that I may have a deep unfulfilled emotional need in this area, hurting other realms of performance. Thus, what is psychological visibility? What does it add to my life? How can I satisfy it?

My Answer, In Brief: Psychological visibility is a crucial human need, and you can gain more of it by deliberately but carefully seeking it out.

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 22:33
• Duration: 20:29
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Communication, Friendship, Psychological Visibility, Relationships, Romance, Values

Links:

• The Psychology of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden

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

Rapid Fire Questions

Questions:

• What do you think of the Ayn Rand Institute’s “End the Debt Draft” campaign?
• Does the fetus exercise volition to pursue values? If not, doesn’t that rule out the possibility of rights for a fetus?
• If both the woman and the fetus have the right to self defense, as Greg says, why does a woman’s right trump the right of the fetus if the woman’s life is at stake?

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 43:02
• Duration: 27:46
• 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: 1:10:49

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.