On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on choosing between egoism and altruism, changing jobs quickly, the morality of boycotts, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.
You can automatically download podcasts of Philosophy in Action Radio by subscribing to Philosophy in Action’s Podcast RSS Feed:
- Enhanced M4A Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player
- Standard MP3 Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player
Whole Podcast: 8 February 2015
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 1:15:37
- Download: Enhanced M4A File (27.1 MB)
- Download: Standard MP3 File (26.0 MB)
Remember the Tip Jar!
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: 8 February 2015
You can download or listen to my answers to individual questions from this episode below.
Introduction
My News of the Week: I’ve been settling into my life with the horses in Aiken, South Carolina. That has been going swimmingly!
Question 1: Choosing Between Egoism and Altruism
Question: Are egoism and altruism mutually exclusive? Most people have a common-sense view of ethics. They think that a person should spend lots of time pursuing his own goals and happiness. They also think that a person should sometimes set aside such pursuits to help others. Basically, on this view, a person can be an egoist and an altruist, and that he should be a little of both. Yet I’ve heard that egoism and altruism are two wholly incompatible moral theories too. So what’s right or wrong about the common-sense view?
My Answer, In Brief: The “common sense” view that people should take a moderate path in life of some egoism and some altruism is wrong: that indicates a failure to understand the fundamental question involved. However, it’s not an unreasonable approach, given people’s misunderstandings about the nature of egoism and altruism.
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 2:56
- Duration: 29:07
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Altruism, Benevolence, Egoism, Epistemology, Ethics, Philosophy, Sacrifice, 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.
Question 2: Changing Jobs Quickly
Question: Is it immoral or unwise to accept a better job soon after starting a different one? I am ready to change jobs. I could probably move to another role within my company pretty quickly and easily and continue to move my career forward, but I could make more money and get better experience outside of my company. Outside job hunts can be lengthy and full of disappointments and all the while I would have to work at a job that is, frankly, killing my soul. I think it’s pretty clear that – if I accept a new job in my company and immediately turn around and give notice to go somewhere else – I run a high risk of burning bridges with key contacts at my current company. But would it be unethical in some way to do that? When you accept a job are you making a tacit promise to work there for some period of time? If so, what’s the minimum amount of time?
My Answer, In Brief: When you take a job, you should not do so under false pretenses, including any pretense that you’ll stay for longer than you actually plan to do. That way, you’re providing genuine value in exchange for your salary, and you won’t burning bridges.
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 32:04
- Duration: 12:40
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Business, Ethics, Fraud, Honesty, Integrity, Trader Principle
Links:
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Question 3: The Morality of Boycotts
Question: It is moral to advocate for the boycott of a business? Over the holidays, my brother and I discussed cases in which businesses are compelled by government to provide services against their will. For example, the Colorado courts demanded that a bakery make cakes for gay couples or face fines. We agreed that the business should be left free to operate as they see fit, absent violating anyone’s actual rights, and reap the rewards or penalties from their choice. Where we diverged was on the moral status of the business owner and whether the bakery deserved to be boycotted. In my view, the decision of the owner of the Colorado bakery was immoral: they were being irrational, discriminating by non-essentials. My brother disagreed. Moreover, my brother opposed any advocacy of a boycott, seeing this as a call for force to be applied against the owner. This would be wrong, in his view, but he would be fine with suggesting that people patronize a different store. Ultimately, I found that I could not adequately explain why I think people might actively and openly oppose wrong acts by businesses, even if those acts don’t violate rights. So what justifies such boycotts, if anything?
My Answer, In Brief: So long as conducted peacefully and honestly, boycotts do not violate rights. When used properly – in service of worthy causes and by worthy means – they can be powerful and important methods of cultural change.
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 44:45
- Duration: 23:03
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Boycotts, Business, Defamation, Ethics, Honesty, Law, Politics, Rights, Torts, Values
Links:
- Philosophy in Action: Discrimination and Rights, Boycotting Chick-Fil-A, The Justice of Defamation Laws
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Rapid Fire Questions
Questions:
- Someone feels an acute pang of explosive, potentially self destructive anger. He has the urge to break his TV or curse out his boss. How can he alleviate or ride out this emotional emergency?
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 1:07:48
- Duration: 5:15
- 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: 1:13:04
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.
