In the next episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I will answer questions on the wrong of anti-discrimination laws, objectivism’s potential to save the culture, not socializing at work, attractiveness to others, and more.

This episode of internet radio airs on Sunday morning, 10 February 2013, at 8 PT / 9 MT / 10 CT / 11 ET in our live studio. If you miss that live broadcast, you can listen to the podcast later.

This week’s questions are:

• Question 1: The Wrong of Anti-Discrimination Laws: What’s wrong with anti-discrimination laws? Most people support anti-discrimination laws, even though such laws violate the freedom of association. Have such laws done genuine good by making racism, sexism, and homophobia unacceptable in the culture? Have such laws had negative side-effects? Should they be abolished – and if so, why?
• Question 2: Objectivism’s Potential to Save the Culture: Can Objectivism save the culture? Advocates of Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism often claim that the philosophy is necessary for substantially changing the culture for the better. That seems presumptuous to me. Is it true? Also, is the philosophy capable of saving the culture on its own? Or is more needed?
• Question 3: Not Socializing at Work: How can I politely tell my co-workers that I’m not interested in socializing? I have always struggled with the pressure to form friendships at work. Personally, I don’t want to hang out with my coworkers after work. I don’t want to chit chat during work. I won’t want to celebrate birthdays or other personal events. This is always interpreted as me being snobbish, aloof, and worst of all “not a team player.” It’s so annoying. I just want to do a good job and then leave, not join a social club. How can I communicate that without being offensive?
• Question 4: Attractiveness to Others: Should you care whether other people find you attractive? Some people think that you shouldn’t care what others think of your physical appearance – and that if you do care, that’s second-handed. Others say that it’s fine if you value praise from others, as a form of psychological visibility. Who is right?

After that, we’ll tackle some impromptu “Rapid Fire Questions.”

To join the live broadcast and its chat, just point your browser to Philosophy in Action’s Live Studio a few minutes before the show is scheduled to start. By listening live, you can share your thoughts with other listeners and ask us follow-up questions in the text chat.

If you miss the live broadcast, you’ll find the audio podcast from the episode posted in the archive: Radio Archive: 10 February 2013.

Philosophy in Action Radio applies rational principles to the challenges of real life in live internet radio shows on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.

I hope that you join us on Sunday morning, but if you can’t attend live, be sure to listen to the podcast later!