Q&A Webcast Episode: 14 November 2010
In this 14 November 2010 episode of Q&A Webcast, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered six questions on dealing with severely irrational people, arguing religion with family, cutting ties with an abusive parent, philosophy as therapy, applying "value density" to life, teachers demanding confidentiality, and more in an hour-long broadcast.
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- Duration: 59:10
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Segments: 14 November 2010
Question 1: Dealing with Severely Irrational People (1:38)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on dealing with severely irrational people.
What is the proper etiquette in regards to dealing with a deeply irrational person you have to deal with temporarily? Especially when his irrationality interferes with your value pursuits to some extent.
Tags: Communication, Ethics, Etiquette, Rationality, Relationships
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Question 2: Arguing Religion with Family (11:38)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on arguing religion with family.
My father and his side of the family are very religious while I am not. Is it moral for me to jeopardize my relationship with them to share the countless fallacies and inhumanities that is religion? If so, how does one go about this process?
Tags: Atheism, Communication, Ethics, Relationships, Religion
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Question 3: Cutting Ties with an Abusive Parent (18:59)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on cutting ties with an abusive parent.
If you were physically abused as a child, but have grown up and "gotten over it," is it still reasonable to demand justice if only in the form of refusing to deal with the abuser?
Tags: Adult Children, Ethics, Judgment, Justice, Moral Wrongs, Parenting, Violence
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Question 4: Philosophy as Therapy (30:44)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on philosophy as therapy.
What are your thoughts on using philosophy rather than psychology for therapy?
Tags: Philosophy, Psychology
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Question 5: Applying "Value Density" to Life (39:11)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on applying "value density" to life.
A topic that has come up off and on over the past several months in the Objectivist blogosphere is the concept of "Value Density." Can you suggest how one would go about applying this concept to a specific event or area of life, such as a vacation?
My Answer, In Brief: 39:11
Tags: Ethics, Value-Density, Values
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Question 6: Teachers Demanding Confidentiality (49:15)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on teachers demanding confidentiality.
Under what circumstances is it reasonable for a teacher to demand from his prospective students that his lessons be kept confidential?
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Conclusion (58:18)
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About Philosophy in Action Q&A Webcast
Every Sunday morning, philosopher Dr. Diana Hsieh answers four meaty questions applying rational principles to the challenges of real life in her live hour-long internet radio show, Philosophy in Action Advice Radio. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers co-hosts the show. The audience can ask follow-up questions and make comments in the text-based chat.
You can listen to Philosophy in Action broadcasts as podcasts by subscribing to the Philosophy in Action's Podcast RSS Feeds. Be sure to sign up for the Newsletter and connect on social media.
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For regular updates, commentary, and humor from Dr. Diana Hsieh, visit her blog NoodleFood, and subscribe to its rss feed.
Dr. Diana Hsieh is a philosopher specializing in practical ethics. She received her Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2009. Her dissertation argued that Thomas Nagel's "problem of moral luck" can be resolved by an Aristotelian theory of moral responsibility. She began podcasting in 2009, then webcasting in 2010.
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