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Podcast #48: Overthinking, Sexual Preferences, College Degrees, and More

 Posted by on 21 December 2010 at 10:00 am  Podcasts
Dec 212010
 

On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on thinking too much, talking about sexual preferences, the value of college degrees, criminal death of a fetus, the morality of revenge for harms, capitalism as misunderstood, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.

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Whole Podcast: 19 December 2010

Listen or Download:

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Podcast Segments: 19 December 2010

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

Introduction

My News of the Week: Let’s get started!

Question 1: Thinking Too Much

Question: Is it possible to think too much? And where does one draw the line between necessary thinking and overthinking? Objectivists are people who take ideas seriously; they are intellectually inclined (as far as I can discern) and spend a lot of time “inside the mind.” With all this emphasis on rationality, thinking, introspection, analysis, judgment, reading, etc., how does one avoid the frustration or sense of “analysis paralysis” and ultimately depression that ensues from all this deep thinking and focus on ideas. For example, I’ve heard numerous people in forums or in letters to Dr. Peikoff state that they are depressed about the state of current politics, our culture, etc. What principles or general rules does one use to put the breaks on all the deep thinking and just chill out, “live and let live,” and stop one from becoming crazy. Meditation? Get drunk? (Kidding). On a personal note, I’ve found that it is necessary for me to literally suppress my thinking and let myself drift into an out of focus state in order to maintain a sense of serenity necessary to get through the day.

My Answer, In Brief: The purpose of thought is to guide action in pursuit of your values. So make sure that you mind working for your life, not obsessing over what beyond control that just make you miserable to contemplate.

Listen or Download:

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

Question 2: Talking about Sexual Preferences

Question: When do you talk to a romantic interest (or partner) about your sexual preferences? Is there a right or wrong way to talk with your romantic partner about sexual preferences? Do you wait until you are “in the sack” to find out whether you are sexually compatible? And, how important is sexual compatibility to a romantic relationship?

My Answer, In Brief: You should talk about sex with your partner, and be sure to do so in a simple and direct way.

Listen or Download:

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

Question 3: The Value of College Degrees

Question: Are college degrees worth the price paid for them? Do they offer a good value for the investment of time, effort, and money? Why or why not? And if not, how might a person obtain a solid education in the humanities instead?

My Answer, In Brief: The value of standard college education is questionable, but much depends on the field and one’s goals. You should consider whether college will serve your professional goals or not, because you can get a better education for much cheaper on your own.

Listen or Download:

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

Question 4: Criminal Death of a Fetus

Question: Should a criminal who kills a pregnant woman (and her unborn child) be charged for two murders or one? Does it matter if she’s obviously pregnant or not? (Perhaps it should only matter in the sentencing phase of the trial?) I’ve read your paper on the “personhood” movement and I agree that a person does not have rights until they’re born, but it seems different in this situation. Where is my thinking flawed, or is it?

My Answer, In Brief: Rights are contextual absolutes, meaning that only apply in certain context, but that they apply fully in that context. Given nature of rights and nature of pregnancy, rights cannot apply to fetus but only to born infant.

Listen or Download:

Links:

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

Question 5: The Morality of Revenge for Harms

Question: Is revenge moral or not? Is it wrong to want to hurt people who have hurt you? It is wrong to make them hurt?

My Answer, In Brief: It is self-destructive to nurture hatred and anger toward those who have wronged you. You need to accept that the wrong happened, deal with it as you can, and then move on to pursuing your positive values.

Listen or Download:

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

Question 6: Capitalism as Misunderstood

Question: Why is capitalism so misunderstood? I’ve noticed a huge backlash against capitalism in the media and on the internet for a while. Why? Why are people so resentful towards capitalism when it gave them all the prosperity?

My Answer, In Brief: Epistemic confusion is often at root of wrong ethics and politics – and that’s definitely the case here.

Listen or Download:

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: 59:54


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.

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