Kindness, Career, Complainers, Adult Children, and More
Webcast Q&A: 31 October 2010
I answered questions on kindness to others, career versus family, terminal cancer and disability, chronic complainers, irresponsible adult children, maintaining civility online, and more on 31 October 2010. Listen to or download this episode of Philosophy in Action Radio below.
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Segments: 31 October 2010
Question 1: Kindness to Others
Question: Is there a principle of Objectivism which justifies and requires kindness to other people (not necessarily going out of one's way, but treating others 'like human beings' and a basic level of respect), or is it just an issue of reciprocity?
Tags: Benevolence, Egoism, Ethics, Self-Interest
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Question 2: Career Versus Family
Question: I am a 20-something girl with ambitious career goals and a strong desire to have a family. How did you decide to pursue a career rather than having children? Do you have any advice about how to go about making the decision?
Tags: Career, Children, Family, Parenting, Work
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Question 3: Terminal Cancer and Disability
Question: I have a terminal illness (cancer) that's getting in the way of my daily life, which includes a full-time job and college. Is it moral to stop working and go on disability?
Tags: Ethics, Government, Health, Welfare, Work
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Question 4: Chronic Complainers
Question: What are your thoughts on people who complain about their problems but never pursue to solve them, or, worse, actively evade and ignore solutions that confront them? E.g. a student who complains about his budget but continues to spend irrationally.
Tags: Communication, Ethics, Judgment, Justice, Moral Wrongs
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Question 5: Irresponsible Adult Children
Question: How would you treat an adult child who wishes to move back home after a history of poor self-control and irresponsible choices?
Tags: Adult Children, Ethics, Family, Family, Judgment, Justice, Parenting, Rationality, Responsibility, Self-Control
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Question 6: Maintaining Civility Online
Question: Could you give or recommend a set of guidelines for blog/online discussion etiquette? How can someone maximize their benefit from online discussions and relationships?
Tags: Conflict, Ethics, Etiquette, Internet, Relationships, Social Media
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Conclusion (51:58)
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About Philosophy in Action
I'm Dr. Diana Brickell. I'm a philosopher specializing in the application of rational principles to the challenges of real life. I received my Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2009. My book, Responsibility & Luck: A Defense of Praise and Blame, is available for purchase in paperback and Kindle. The book defends the justice of moral praise and blame of persons using an Aristotelian theory of moral responsibility, thereby refuting Thomas Nagel's "problem of moral luck."
My radio show, Philosophy in Action Radio, broadcasts live over the internet on most Sunday mornings and some Thursday evenings. On Sunday mornings, I answer questions applying rational principles to the challenges of real life in a live hour-long show. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers co-hosts the show. On Thursday evenings, I interview an expert guest or discuss a topic of interest.
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