Moral Judgments, Online Jerks, Tattoos, and More
Webcast Q&A: 16 January 2011
I answered questions on judgments of actions and ideas, judging people efficiently, online jerks, seeking popularity, tattoos and piercings, dating a pot-smoker, and more on 16 January 2011. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was my co-host. Listen to or download this episode of Philosophy in Action Radio below.
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Segments: 16 January 2011
Question 1: Judgments of Actions and Ideas
Question: How does one properly judge a person's actions and ideas? I've read that one can judge a person's ideas as good or evil based on whether they are true or false, respectively. I've also read/heard that it's usually better to judge a person's actions since people often aren't very exact in their ideas and in what they say. Should you judge a persons ideas or actions? Or both? And, what is the proper way to judge a person's ideas and actions?
Answer, In Brief: You should judge a person for his whole person – meaning his thinking, ideas, and actions. But take care to focus on his serious commitments.
Tags: Ethics, Evil, Judgment, Justice, Sanction
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Question 2: Judging People Efficiently
Question: How can I judge people more efficiently? It would be helpful to be more efficient in judging whether certain individuals are appropriate for a friendship. Sometimes it takes me a long time to decide whether I would like to be friends with someone or not. It takes me even longer to decide whether I would like to be in a romantic relationship with someone. How can I speed this process up? What are some key factors that might help me make these types of decisions more efficiently?
Answer, In Brief: Relationships are not all or nothing. Allow the intimacy of the relationship to develop naturally, notice and judge what emerges, and then move closer or back off accordingly.
Tags: Dating, Dating, Ethics, Friendship, Judgment, Justice, Relationships, Romance
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Question 3: Online Jerks
Question: Why are some people such jerks on the internet? Some seemingly decent people become downright malicious bastards on the internet, particularly when posting anonymously. Why is that? What does such behavior say about a person's moral character? How can a person keep his manners, his benevolence, and his cool in full force when online?
Answer, In Brief: The possibility of anonymity and psychological distance of online communication often makes being a jerk easy, so watch for those tendencies in yourself.
Tags: Character, Communication, Conflict, Ethics, Internet, Judgment, Justice, Relationships, Social Media
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Question 4: Seeking Popularity
Question: Is it always wrong to seek popularity? Because of the character Peater Keating I can't figure out in what context it would be right for an Objectivist to value or desire popularity, if at all.
Answer, In Brief: The moral problem with Peter Keating was his second-handed mode of thinking and acting, not his seeking of popularity per se. Popularity can be a rational value, in some contexts.
Tags: Ethics, Fame, Independence
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Question 5: Tattoos and Piercings
Question: Are tattoos or piercings – all of them, or just some kinds – irrational and/or self-destructive? If so, why?
Answer, In Brief: The rationality of body art depends largely on what a person does and why. Given its permanence, a person should be careful that it reflects his values and enhances the beauty of his body.
Tags: Body Modification, Ethics
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Question 6: Dating a Pot-Smoker
Question: Is it proper to date a girl who smokes pot? This woman, while not being an Objectivist, has many great qualities like being smart, attractive, funny, pro-reason and pro-man in general. She, however, likes to smoke marijuana. She says that it provides a great pleasure and relaxes her body and mind after a long day of work. What should I do about it? Confront her? Immediately break up with her?
Answer, In Brief: Regular marijuana use is a red flag for a person with problems in life, but try having a conversation – or two or three – to understand her views and your own. Also, a 30-day pot-free challenge might be very telling for everyone.
Tags: Addiction, Alcohol/Drugs, Dating, Egoism, Ethics, Judgment, Justice, Moral Wrongs, Relationships, Romance, Self-Interest
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Conclusion (59:46)
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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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