On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, I answered questions on dealing with severely irrational people, arguing religion with family, cutting ties with an abusive parent, philosophy as therapy, applying value density to life, teachers demanding confidentiality, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.

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Whole Podcast: 14 November 2010

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 59:10
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (21.5 MB)
• Download: Standard MP3 File (20.3 MB)

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Podcast Segments: 14 November 2010

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

Introduction

My News of the Week: These webcasts are still very experimental. Please lower your expectations accordingly!

Question 1: Dealing with Severely Irrational People

Question: What is the proper etiquette in regards to dealing with a deeply irrational person you have to deal with temporarily? Especially when his irrationality interferes with your value pursuits to some extent.

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 1:38
• Duration: 10:00
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Communication, Conflict, Ethics, Etiquette, Rationality, Relationships

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

Question 2: Arguing Religion with Family

Question: My father and his side of the family are very religious while I am not. Is it moral for me to jeopardize my relationship with them to share the countless fallacies and inhumanities that is religion? If so, how does one go about this process?

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 11:38
• Duration: 7:21
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Atheism, Communication, Conflict, Ethics, Family, Relationships, Religion

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

Question 3: Cutting Ties with an Abusive Parent

Question: If you were physically abused as a child, but have grown up and “gotten over it,” is it still reasonable to demand justice if only in the form of refusing to deal with the abuser?

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 18:59
• Duration: 11:44
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Adult Children, Ethics, Family, Judgment, Justice, Moral Wrongs, Parenting, Violence

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

Question 4: Philosophy as Therapy

Question: What are your thoughts on using philosophy rather than psychology for therapy?

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 30:44
• Duration: 8:26
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Philosophy, Psychology

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

Question 5: Applying Value Density to Life

Question: A topic that has come up off and on over the past several months in the Objectivist blogosphere is the concept of “Value Density.” Can you suggest how one would go about applying this concept to a specific event or area of life, such as a vacation?

My Answer, In Brief: 39:11

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 39:11
• Duration: 10:04
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Ethics, Value-Density, Values

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

Question 6: Teachers Demanding Confidentiality

Question: Under what circumstances is it reasonable for a teacher to demand from his prospective students that his lessons be kept confidential?

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 49:15
• Duration: 9:02
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Education, Ethics

To comment on this question or my answer, 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: 58:18

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.