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Podcast #77: Spreading Germs, Birthdays, Compulsory Juries, and More

 Posted by on 17 May 2011 at 9:00 am  Podcasts
May 172011
 

On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on the morality of spreading germs, celebrating birthdays, married couples separating for their careers, compulsory juries, growing out of Ayn Rand, optimism for the future, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.

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Whole Podcast: 15 May 2011

Listen or Download:

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Podcast Segments: 15 May 2011

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

Introduction

My News of the Week: Here’s the video of my short talk on Cookie Cutter Medicine. Right now, I’m actively working on my updates to Explore Atlas Shrugged and my two lectures on pride for ATLOSCon. Also, through May 28, save 20% on any new subscription to The Objective Standard – whether Print, Online, E-book, Audio (mp3), or Premium. Simply enter promo code 29969 when prompted during checkout; your discount will be applied automatically. (Promotional pricing is for new subscribers only.) Subscribe now – or give a gift subscription! Finally, The Objectivism Seminar is now discussing “The Objectivist Ethics” from The Virtue of Selfishness. You can join the live discussion on Monday evenings, or listen to the podcasts later via its RSS Feed.

Question 1: The Morality of Spreading Germs

Question: If you have a mild to moderate contagious disease, is it immoral to go about your ordinary business knowing that this will expose other people to the disease? I’m not talking about life-threatening illness here, nor am I talking about intentionally trying to get someone sick (like spitting in their food). I’m just talking about going to work, school, entertainment events, or scheduled appointments while you have an ordinary disease like a cold, flu, or strep throat. Is that moral?

My Answer, In Brief: Minor illnesses are a part of life; they’re an ordinary and inherent risk of social interaction. People often have good reason to be out in society, even though sick, but the rationally selfish person doesn’t want family, friends, co-workers, or even strangers sick, and so will take reasonable measures to prevent the spread of disease.

Listen or Download:

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

Question 2: Celebrating Birthdays

Question: How should a person celebrate his birthday, if at all? And if so, why? Would a rational egoist throw a party and invite people that he doesn’t value much, like estranged family members?

My Answer, In Brief: Your birthday – meaning the date marking the start of your life in the world – is a wonderful day for friends to show their appreciation of you – and for you do so something special with people that you love.

Listen or Download:

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

Question 3: Married Couples Separating for Their Careers

Question: Should a married couple ever separate temporarily for the sake of their respective careers? In your 1 May 2011 webcast, you said that long-distance relationships are inherently problematic because the people are living separate lives due to the physical distance between them. Does that mean that committed couples should never separate temporarily for career reasons? If they do, how can they manage that better so as to preserve the relationship?

My Answer, In Brief: A couple might need to separate temporarily for careers, and that can work, despite the perils of living separate lives, if the couple recognizes the risks and acts to mitigate them.

Listen or Download:

Links:

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

Question 4: Compulsory Juries

Question: Are compulsory juries moral? Is it necessary and/or proper to compel citizens to serve on a jury? If not, what is the best way to ensure the right to a trial by a jury of your peers, rather than trial by government agents? Should a free society have professional volunteer juries like the military?

My Answer, In Brief: The government of a free society cannot justly compel taxes or military service – or jury duty. It’s a violation of rights – and hence, immoral and impractical.

Listen or Download:

Links:

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

Question 5: Growing Out of Ayn Rand

Question: What do people mean when they say “I liked Ayn Rand’s ideas, but then I grew up”? On several occasions, I have discussed Rand’s ideas with others. They have admitted to reading Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead when a teenager. They claim that they liked or even agreed with her ideas back then. “But, now I’ve grown up.” I guess that is supposed to embarrass me since I am in my mid-40′s. It doesn’t. But I am left wondering, what is going on in their heads? Are they just jaded? Do they think life naturally leads to pragmatism or an acceptance of evil?

My Answer, In Brief: People who no longer agree with Ayn Rand could just say that, but this claim is a kind of argument from intimidation, perhaps from someone who was intimidated out of his own genuine interest in Ayn Rand.

Listen or Download:

Links:

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

Question 6: Optimism for the Future

Question: How can I be optimistic when society seems doomed? I am beginning to see the United States as the oak tree at the beginning of Atlas Shrugged, an empty shell whose heart rotted away long ago. Ayn Rand writes often of the failure of our age, of seeing corruption rewarded and honesty becoming self-sacrifice, and of seeing these as evidence of our society being doomed. Given the recent, and increased, interest in Atlas Shrugged and Ayn Rand, I should be hopeful for the future. But is it too little, too late? I have small children, and I never thought it would become generally accepted that America’s best days are behind us. How do I cope with the destruction going on today? How can I be optimistic for my children’s future? As an Objectivist it seems as though I must be missing the obvious answer.

My Answer, In Brief: The key to keep fighting, even if one is pessimistic about the future, is to understand and live Ayn Rand’s phrase “Anyone who fights for the future lives in it today.”

Listen or Download:

Links:

  • May 24th lecture “Health Care Reform: Setting Doctors Free” by John Lewis, to be webcast by the Ayn Rand Center
  • Paul Hsieh’s AtlosCon lecture on Activism 101.

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: 1:02:34


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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