Podcast Archive

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

• What is your view of common-law marriages?
• Are smart animals like the sign-language-using ape, math-speaking African Grey parrot, dolphins, and some crows using concepts?
• What are some good sources of humor that are consistent with and supportive of a rational, Objectivist worldview?
• So, habitual drug use is bad. And so is impairing one’s mind in as much as our minds are our primary means of survival. I don’t do such drugs on principle, and am very happy this way. The question is: do you think it is rational to accept the offer to partake in a safe one-time experience using a relatively safe psychedelic drug that is similar to psilocybin, i.e. mushrooms? The intention would be to have a deep bonding experience with a trusted loved one (who is initiating the request).
• Should emotions be subjected to moral judgment?
• I can't comprehend how some people care more about animals more than humans. Could it be that they've just met lots of jerks?
• Can a person be justly blamed for not doing something he should have done, when the thought of doing it never occurred to him, but he would have done it if the thought had occurred to him?
• Is love really a battlefield, or did Pat Benatar get it wrong?
• Have you read any Kafka? If so, do you think interpreting his work as dark humour makes it seem more acceptable?
• Is limiting the use of water during a drought a proper function of government? What about under normal circumstances?

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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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