On Sunday, 4 November 2012, I broadcast a new episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, answering questions on the nature of mysticism, breast implants, choosing to live in a socialist country, cleaning the house for guests, and more. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was the episode’s co-host.
If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen to audio podcasts of selected questions or the whole episode. You’ll find those posted below, as well as on this episode’s archive page: Q&A Radio: 4 November 2012.
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Q&A Radio: Episode: 4 November 2012
The Whole Episode
My News of the Week: I’ve been updating my personal web site, DianaHsieh.com, soliciting votes for the Podcast Awards, and celebrating Philosophy in Action’s two-year anniversary!
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 1:05:44
- Download: Enhanced M4A File (16.0 MB)
- Download: Standard MP3 File (15.1 MB)
You can also download or listen to particular questions from this episode.
Question 1: The Nature of Mysticism (4:30)
In this segment, I answered a question on the nature of mysticism.
What is mysticism? Is mysticism distinct from religion, faith, and belief in the supernatural? Can a person be non-religious but mystical? Can a person be religious but non-mystical?
My Answer, In Brief: Theological mysticism is related to, but not the same as, philosophical mysticism. Most religious people are not theological mystics, and many are not philosophic mystics.
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 16:23
- Download: MP3 Segment
Tags: Epistemology, Faith, Mysticism, Psycho-Epistemology, Rationality, Religion
Relevant Links:
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Question 2: Breast Implants (20:54)
In this segment, I answered a question on breast implants.
What advice should I give to a friend considering breast implants? A friend of mine is considering breast implants, purely for cosmetic reasons. In other words, she’s not having reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy: she just wants larger breasts. Do you think that purely cosmetic breast implant surgery is moral? Is it wise? What advice should I give her, if any?
My Answer, In Brief: You should recognize that breast implant surgery is not necessarily moral or immoral. It can be immoral if the woman evades the risks, spends money that she can’t afford, acts on a second-handed desire to please someone else, or otherwise sacrifices greater values. But it can be moral for a woman of healthy self-esteem who has been bothered by the size or shape of breasts, provided that she understands the risks of surgery and can afford the surgery.
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 14:44
- Download: MP3 Segment
Tags: Body Image, Ethics, Medicine, Personal Values, Self-Esteem, Vanity
Relevant Links:
- FDA: Breast Implant Complications Booklet
- Possible Complications of Breast Augmentation Surgery
- Do Breast Implants Affect Breast Cancer Risk? and Study: Implants Affect Breast Cancer Diagnosis But Not Survival
- WebMD: How Will Breast Implants Change Your Life?
- PsychCentral: Breast Implants Don’t Solve Underlying Self-esteem Issues
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Question 3: Choosing to Live in a Socialist Country (35:39)
In this segment, I answered a question on choosing to live in a socialist country.
Is it moral to choose to live in a socialist country? A person might move to England to study at a conservatory or move to China for a job. Would it be moral to do that – meaning, to move to a socialist country and make use their government institutions? Would there be some kind of obligation to “pay back” what the person gains from that country’s taxpayers, such as by donating to organizations that promote capitalism in that country? Or would it be immoral altogether, such that a person should pursue whatever opportunities he can in America (or where he is)?
My Answer, In Brief: You’re not obliged to suffer in the country of your birth, nor responsible for other people’s use of force against you, nor blamed for moving into yet another mixed economy.
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 9:33
- Download: MP3 Segment
Tags: Ethics, Free Society, Government, Life, Mixed Economy, Personal Values, Politics, Responsibility
Relevant Links:
- “A Question of Scholarships” by Ayn Rand in The Voice of Reason
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Question 4: Cleaning the House for Guests (45:12)
In this segment, I answered a question on cleaning the house for guests.
Is is second-handed to work hard to clean and repair your house before company arrives? I’m constantly fighting a battle to get my house looking reasonable. Then, right before company arrives from out-of-town, I make an extra big push to get it as clean and tidy as possible. I’d like it to always be that way, but I’ll work a lot harder when I know that someone else will be in the space. So is it second-handed to want to present a better home than I normally maintain? Or is putting in that effort that a matter of respecting and providing for people that I value?
My Answer, In Brief: Putting an extra effort into cleaning and repairing your house for guests need not be second-handed or dishonest. It can and should serve to provide a warm welcome to your guests, as well as taking pride in your home.
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 7:01
- Download: MP3 Segment
Tags: Benevolence, Honesty, Independence, Introspection, Personal Values, Pride, Productivity, Relationships, Relationships
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Rapid Fire Questions (54:14)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered questions impromptu. The questions were:
- With regard to doctors suggesting a pinprick as an alternative to female genital mutilation, is your view that preventing the actual harm to the child is more important than making stand against the religious dogma?
- Isn’t the idea “indigenous property rights” wrong because it assumes collective ownership?
- Is first-sale copyright a violation of the rights of consumers?
- What are some (if any) better alternatives for criminal punishment than prison?
- Isn’t it better to act calmly during a discussion and try to keep your opponent calm as well?
- Duration: 11:29
- Download: MP3 Segment
To comment on these questions or my answers, visit its comment thread.
Conclusion (1:03:44)
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