Explaining Egoistic Benevolence and More: Philosophy in Action Podcast of 22 December 2013

Explaining Egoistic Benevolence and More

Q&A Radio: 22 December 2013

I answered questions on explaining egoistic benevolence, and more on 22 December 2013. 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.

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Duration: 1:09:34
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Segments: 22 December 2013

Question 1: Explaining Egoistic Benevolence

Question: How can we better explain how helping others can be egoistic? In your October 7, 2013 radio show, you observed that people often don't understand how acting kindly and generously towards friends is self-interested. Instead, they think that being benevolent toward anyone is "other-regarding" and hence, altruistic. How can we egoists untangle this seeming conflict for people?

Answer, In Brief: Egoists must do a better job of explaining that egoism — properly understood — is not manipulative, mercenary, predatory, or criminal. To see that, people need to understand egoism versus altruism in big-picture terms, as well as show how and why relationships with others can and should be win-wins.

Tags: Altruism, Benevolence, Communication, Conflicts of Interest, Egoism, Ethics, Manipulation, Meta-Ethics, Predation, Relationships, Sacrifice, Self-Interest, Self-Sacrifice

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Rapid Fire Questions (56:54)

In this segment, I answered questions chosen at random by Greg Perkins impromptu. The questions were:

Is there a limit to compartmentalization?
Is it morally okay to lie at birthdays and Christmas for the sake of a surprise?
Do those who abstain from voting still have the right to criticize the current administration?
What kind of countermeasures can be taken against the hijacking of science – as seen with global warming – in the future?
How can a person become more optimistic that rational ideas will be the norm of the future?

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Conclusion (1:08:29)

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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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