On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on living a value-dense life, Christianity versus capitalism, being sentimental, student and senior discounts, buying an evildoer’s book, helping a stranger in an emergency, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.

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Whole Podcast: 27 February 2011

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 1:01:06
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (22.2 MB)
• Download: Standard MP3 File (21.0 MB)

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Podcast Segments: 27 February 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: Living a Value-Dense Life

Question: What does it mean to live a “value-dense” life? What is value density? How can we make our lives more value dense? How might the concept apply to productivity, vacations, education, and social events, for example?

My Answer, In Brief: To live a value-dense life means that your life rich with values – as opposed to when you simply fritter away your time, energy, and resources.

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 6:21
• Duration: 5:03
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Ethics, Value-Density, Values

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

Question 2: Christianity Versus Capitalism

Question: How can a conservative Christian also be a supporter of capitalism? Isn’t the Christian philosophy diametrically opposed to the basic principles of egoism and reason necessary to fully support laissez-faire capitalism?

My Answer, In Brief: While many Christians support free markets, they cannot be reconciled. Christianity is hostile to every value of capitalism – wealth, profits, individual rights, planning, material pursuits, private property, and egoism.

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 11:24
• Duration: 14:24
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Altruism, Atheism, Capitalism, Christianity, Conservatism, Egoism, Ethics, Faith, Politics, Property, Religion, Self-Interest, Wealth

Links:

• Greek Bible, Matthew 19, Matthew 6, Mark 12, Acts 4, and Acts 5
• “Religion Versus America” by Leonard Peikoff in The Voice of Reason

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

Question 3: Being Sentimental

Question: Is it moral to be sentimental? Some dictionaries define sentiment as an attitude based on emotion rather than reason. Is this accurate? Would it then be moral or rational to be sentimental? For example, would it be moral or rational to: (1) Hold on to your favorite childhood toys when you are an adult (assuming you have the space for them), even if they don’t carry the same meaning for you now but they bring about good memories and feelings? (2) Keep old love letters or pictures of friends that you are not on speaking terms with (but were, at one time, good friends with) because they remind you of “the good times”?

My Answer, In Brief: To be sentimental is to be “of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.” That can be rational or not, depending on the particulars. To live in the past or to romanticize the past is wrong. But reflections on and mementos of past achievements and experiences is part of what makes a person’s life an integrated sum, rather than just a series of moments. And that’s good!

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 25:48
• Duration: 5:32
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Emotions, Ethics, Psychology, Rationality

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

Question 4: Student and Senior Discounts

Question: Are student and senior discounts proper? Aren’t these purely need-based discounts? Isn’t that unjust, i.e. penalizing people for earning more? For example, is it wrong to ask for monetary contributions for this webcast from people able to pay, but allow people unable to pay to attend too?

My Answer, In Brief: Student and senior discounts in business are not altruism, but rather sources of additional profit, as well as investment in future customers.

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 31:20
• Duration: 7:17
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Business, Ethics

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

Question 5: Buying an Evildoer’s Book

Question: Would you recommend buying Nathaniel Branden’s Vision of Ayn Rand or not? Given Nathaniel Branden’s history of dishonest attacks on Ayn Rand and Objectivism, would you recommend that anyone buy this book? (It’s the book version of his “Basic Principles of Objectivism” course.) I’ve thought about buying it, but I don’t want to support that man in any way.

My Answer, In Brief: You should not give moral sanction to an evildoer’s book, recommend it without qualifications, or give the evildoer a platform. However, if the book would be of value to you, then you ought to buy it.

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 38:38
• Duration: 8:44
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Business, Ethics, Evil, Judgment, Justice, Sanction

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

Question 6: Helping a Stranger in an Emergency

Question: Should you help a man who’s dying in front of you? Suppose it will cost you two hours and 200 dollars to save the life of a man you do not know. Should you do it?

My Answer, In Brief: We have no moral obligation to help others simply in virtue of their need. However, a person who would refuse to offer assistance in case of an emergency – when to do so would not be a sacrifice – displays frightening and dangerous ignorance of the value of other people.

Listen or Download:

• Start Time: 47:23
• Duration: 12:56
• Download: MP3 Segment
• Tags: Altruism, Benevolence, Emergencies, Ethics, Sacrifice, Self-Sacrifice

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: 1:00:20

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.