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Podcast #53: Moral Judgments, Online Jerks, Tattoos, and More

 Posted by on 18 January 2011 at 10:00 am  Podcasts
Jan 182011
 

On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on judgments of actions and ideas, judging people efficiently, online jerks, seeking popularity, tattoos and piercings, dating a pot-smoker, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.

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Whole Podcast: 16 January 2011

Listen or Download:

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Podcast Segments: 16 January 2011

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: Judgments of Actions and Ideas

Question: How does one properly judge a person’s actions and ideas? I’ve read that one can judge a person’s ideas as good or evil based on whether they are true or false, respectively. I’ve also read/heard that it’s usually better to judge a person’s actions since people often aren’t very exact in their ideas and in what they say. Should you judge a persons ideas or actions? Or both? And, what is the proper way to judge a person’s ideas and actions?

My Answer, In Brief: You should judge a person for his whole person – meaning his thinking, ideas, and actions. But take care to focus on his serious commitments.

Listen or Download:

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

Question 2: Judging People Efficiently

Question: How can I judge people more efficiently? It would be helpful to be more efficient in judging whether certain individuals are appropriate for a friendship. Sometimes it takes me a long time to decide whether I would like to be friends with someone or not. It takes me even longer to decide whether I would like to be in a romantic relationship with someone. How can I speed this process up? What are some key factors that might help me make these types of decisions more efficiently?

My Answer, In Brief: Relationships are not all or nothing. Allow the intimacy of the relationship to develop naturally, notice and judge what emerges, and then move closer or back off accordingly.

Listen or Download:

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

Question 3: Online Jerks

Question: Why are some people such jerks on the internet? Some seemingly decent people become downright malicious bastards on the internet, particularly when posting anonymously. Why is that? What does such behavior say about a person’s moral character? How can a person keep his manners, his benevolence, and his cool in full force when online?

My Answer, In Brief: The possibility of anonymity and psychological distance of online communication often makes being a jerk easy, so watch for those tendencies in yourself.

Listen or Download:

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

Question 4: Seeking Popularity

Question: Is it always wrong to seek popularity? Because of the character Peater Keating I can’t figure out in what context it would be right for an Objectivist to value or desire popularity, if at all.

My Answer, In Brief: The moral problem with Peter Keating was his second-handed mode of thinking and acting, not his seeking of popularity per se. Popularity can be a rational value, in some contexts.

Listen or Download:

Links:

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

Question 5: Tattoos and Piercings

Question: Are tattoos or piercings – all of them, or just some kinds – irrational and/or self-destructive? If so, why?

My Answer, In Brief: The rationality of body art depends largely on what a person does and why. Given its permanence, a person should be careful that it reflects his values and enhances the beauty of his body.

Listen or Download:

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

Question 6: Dating a Pot-Smoker

Question: Is it proper to date a girl who smokes pot? This woman, while not being an Objectivist, has many great qualities like being smart, attractive, funny, pro-reason and pro-man in general. She, however, likes to smoke marijuana. She says that it provides a great pleasure and relaxes her body and mind after a long day of work. What should I do about it? Confront her? Immediately break up with her?

My Answer, In Brief: Regular marijuana use is a red flag for a person with problems in life, but try having a conversation – or two or three – to understand her views and your own. Also, a 30-day pot-free challenge might be very telling for everyone.

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: 59:46


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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