Altruism, Festivus, Wikileaks, First Dates, and More
Webcast Q&A: 26 December 2010
I answered questions on altruism and sacrifice, celebrating Festivus, what to do about Wikileaks, eating pets, topics for first dates, black and white thinking, and more on 26 December 2010. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was my co-host. Listen to or download this episode of Philosophy in Action Radio below.
The mission of Philosophy in Action is to spread rational principles for real life... far and wide. That's why the vast majority of my work is available to anyone, free of charge. I love doing the radio show, but each episode requires an investment of time, effort, and money to produce. So if you enjoy and value that work of mine, please contribute to the tip jar. I suggest $5 per episode or $20 per month, but any amount is appreciated. In return, contributors can request that I answer questions from the queue pronto, and regular contributors enjoy free access to premium content and other goodies.
My News of the Week: Let's get started!
Listen or Download 
- Duration: 58:48
- Download: Enhanced M4A File (21.4 MB)
- Download: Standard MP3 File (20.2 MB)
You can automatically download that and other podcasts by subscribing to Philosophy in Action's Podcast RSS Feed:
- Enhanced M4A Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player
- Standard MP3 Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player
Share This Episode
Segments: 26 December 2010
Question 1: Altruism and Sacrifice
Question: Why does altruism measure virtue by the depth of a person's self-sacrifice, rather than the amount of good actually done for others? Altruism demands every person promote the welfare of others as his ultimate value. Despite that, however, altruistic virtue is not measured by the actual good done for others, but rather by the depth of the person's self-sacrifice. Why is that?
Answer, In Brief: Altruism is not inconsistent to measure virtue by depth of a person's self-sacrifice. It must do that – or acknowledge that mankind's greatest benefactors are not people doling out charity, but rather people who produce and trade for their own selfish gain.
Tags: Altruism, Christianity, Christianity, Ethics, Sacrifice, Self-Sacrifice
Listen or Download 
Comments
Question 2: Celebrating Festivus
Question: Would you recommend your fellow Objectivists to celebrate Festivus? If so, how should we celebrate it?
Answer, In Brief: It's just as wrong to be contrarian as to be conformist. Instead, use rituals and holidays to reflect your values.
Tags: Culture, Holidays, Weddings
Listen or Download
Relevant Links
Comments
Question 3: What To Do about Wikileaks
Question: What should the US government do about Wikileaks founder Julian Assange? In particular, can and should the US government go after him, given that he is not an American citizen and he apparently committed his bad acts outside of US territory?
Answer, In Brief: Wikileaks is a major problem, but it's wrong for the US to claim power to prosecute anyone anywhere.
Tags: Crime, Foreign Policy, Law, Rights
Listen or Download
Comments
Question 4: Eating Pets
Question: Would you kill your pets for food? Why and why not?
Answer, In Brief: Our deep feelings for our pets are wonderful, but those feelings shouldn't get in the way of being sensible, selfish pet owners.
Tags: Animal Rights, Animals, Ethics, Pets, Rights
Listen or Download
Relevant Links
Comments
Question 5: Topics for First Dates
Question: What are some good topics to discuss on a first or second date? Also, what topics should be avoided?
Answer, In Brief: Focus on the positive, and ask questions that reveal your own and your date's personality and values.
Tags: Communication, Dating, Romance
Listen or Download
Relevant Links
Comments
Question 6: Black and White Thinking
Question: Isn't it wrong to be a "black and white" thinker? To a lot of people that is not a good trait. Life isn't black and white. Black and white thinking limits you. It closes doors instead of opening them and it also closes minds. In the case of gray, you can give and take. Why is black and white thinking a necessary part of Objectivism? Shouldn't common contradicting viewpoints be welcome in a healthy discussion?
Answer, In Brief: We should seek the clarity of a black and white world, but that doesn't mean that we should pretend to know more than we do, ignore complicating factors, or treat people like morons.
Tags: Absolutes, Epistemology, Metaphysics
Listen or Download
Comments
Conclusion (57:14)
Thank you for joining us for this episode of Philosophy in Action Radio! If you enjoyed this episode, please contribute to contribute to our tip jar.
Support Philosophy in Action
Once you submit this form, you'll be automatically redirected to a page for payment. If you have any questions or further comments, please email me at [email protected].
Thank you for contributing to Philosophy in Action! You make our work possible every week, and we're so grateful for that!
If you enjoy Philosophy in Action, please help us spread the word about it! Tell your friends about upcoming broadcasts by forwarding our newsletter. Link to episodes or segments from our topics archive. Share our blog posts, podcasts, and events on Facebook and Twitter. Rate and review the podcast in iTunes (M4A and MP3). We appreciate any and all of that!
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.
If you join us for the live broadcasts, you can ask follow-up questions and make comments in the text-based chat. Otherwise, you can listen to the podcast by subscribing to our Podcast RSS Feed. You can also peruse the podcast archive, where episodes and questions are sorted by date and by topic.
For regular commentary, announcement, and humor, read my blog NoodleFood and subscribe to its Blog RSS Feed. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter and connect on social media too.
I can be reached via e-mail to [email protected].
Copyright Diana Brickell | Web | Email | Twitter | Facebook