Rapid Fire Questions
Q&A Radio: Sunday, 12 July 2015
I answered questions chosen at random by Greg Perkins impromptu on 12 July 2015. You can listen to or download the podcast of just this section below – or check out the whole episode of Philosophy in Action Radio.
The questions were:
- Should I feel empathy for Greeks enduring the financial crisis? Sure many people are innocent, but what of the majority that created this situation?
- Would it ever be technically possible for a moral dilemma to have no resolution? Can you imagine a problem context for which the better choice could never be deduced?
- Is there a way to cultivate faith – meaning unfailing trust in oneself and one's decisions in an uncertain world – without accepting religious dogma?
- What is the response to the anarchist argument that we already have anarchy since different governments are in anarchy with respect to each other?
- I find most of the government's decisions on how my forcibly-collected tax dollars are spent morally reprehensible. Do I need to leave the US to maintain my integrity?
- What do you think of the publishing of Rand's "Ideal"? Do you think its publication is motivated by a desire to spread Rand's ideas, or is it merely a publicity stunt?
- I can understand why there are few Objectivists among businessmen, but why are there so few businessmen among Objectivists?
- Why is it not acceptable to buy votes at the booth, but it is acceptable to promise financial gain for a class of voters after the politician gets elected?
- Is it wrong to take apart a device that you've bought just to understand it if the licensing agreement forbids that?
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- Duration: 18:11
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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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