Q&A Webcast Episode: 28 November 2010
In this 28 November 2010 episode of Q&A Webcast, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered six questions on productivity versus productiveness, abuse of animals, the redemption of michael vick, facebook friending policy, fighting apathy, cultural equality, and more in an hour-long broadcast. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was the audio co-host.
Remember, while Philosophy in Action's broadcasts are available to anyone, free of charge. We love doing them, but they're not free to produce: they require our time, effort, and money – week in and week out. So if you enjoy them, please contribute to our tip jar. We suggest $5 per episode or $20 per month, but any amount is appreciated. You can contribute by PayPal to diana@philosophyinaction.com. If you prefer to send a check, please write "P/A" in the memo field and send it to "Diana Hsieh; P.O. Box 851; Sedalia, CO 80135."
Listen Now 
- Duration: 56:39
Download the Episode 
Subscribe to the Feed
Share This Episode
Segments: 28 November 2010
Question 1: Productivity Versus Productiveness (2:58)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on productivity versus productiveness.
What is the difference (if any) between 'productiveness' and 'productivity'? People often seem to use the terms interchangeably, but are they the same?
My Answer, In Brief: Productivity concerns a person's achievement of his goals effectively and efficiently, whereas productiveness is the virtue of creating the material values required to sustain one's life. Morality requires productiveness, but not maximal productivity.
Tags: Career, Ethics, Productiveness, Productivity
Listen or Download 
Comments
Question 2: Abuse of Animals (10:51)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on abuse of animals.
Are people who abuse their pets immoral? Or: Should we think ill of someone for neglecting or abusing their pets? If so, why?
My Answer, In Brief: A person's treatment of his pets reveals his character, for better or worse.
Tags: Animals, Ethics, Justice, Pets
Listen or Download
Comments
Question 3: The Redemption of Michael Vick (18:10)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on the redemption of michael vick.
How should we judge NFL quarterback Michael Vick? As an animal lover, I was appalled when the NFL allowed Michael Vick to play pro football again after his dog-fighting episodes. But now that he's doing well, part of me wants to cheer for him, telling myself that he's a "reformed man who deserves a second chance". Is that rational of me? How do we know if someone has truly turned over a new leaf morally after prior bad acts?
My Answer, In Brief: Michael Vick seems to have made true steps in the direction of moral reform, and his amazing performance this season seems to be a product of that.
Tags: Animals, Character, Ethics, Judgment, Justice, Moral Wrongs, Redemption, Sports
Listen or Download
Relevant Links
Comments
Question 4: Facebook Friending Policy (29:34)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on facebook friending policy.
What's a reasonable friending policy for Facebook? I've been getting more Facebook friend requests from people I don't know lately. Should I accept or refuse them?
My Answer, In Brief: Adopt a Facebook friending policy that fits with your purpose in using social media.
Tags: Communication, Internet, Relationships
Listen or Download
Comments
Question 5: Fighting Apathy (34:58)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on fighting apathy.
How do I fight apathy? How should one go about controlling their emotional response to things better? I have found that a lot of things in life have made me far more apathetic towards life; how should I go about turning this around?
My Answer, In Brief: Overcoming any unwanted emotion requires introspection, thought, and action – over and over again.
Tags: Character, Emotions, Introspection, Psycho-Epistemology
Listen or Download
Comments
Question 6: Cultural Equality (41:26)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on cultural equality.
Are all cultures equal? How can you prohibit or restrict anyone's cultural norms or say they're better or worse than our culture? Is there an objective barometer by which this can be achieved?
My Answer, In Brief: The proper standard for all moral judgments – whether of individuals or cultures – is human life and happiness.
Tags: Culture, Ethics, Judgment, Justice, Politics, Relativism
Listen or Download
Comments
Conclusion (55:18)
Thank you for joining us for this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to contribute to contribute to our tip jar. Also, please don't forget to submit and vote on questions for upcoming broadcasts in in the question queue.
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.
You can also peruse the show archives, listening to whole episodes or just selected segments. The show archives are sorted by date and by topic.
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.
Support Philosophy in Action
Philosophy in Action's broadcasts are available to anyone, free of charge. We love doing them, but they're not free for us to produce: they require our time, effort, and money. So if you enjoy and value our work, please contribute to our tip jar!
If you'd like to make a one-time contribution in an amount not listed, use this link. For instructions on canceling or revising your monthly contribution, visit the support page.
Thank you, if you've contributed to our tip jar! You make our work possible, and we're so grateful for that! Also, whether you're able to contribute financially or not, we always appreciate your helping us spread the word about Philosophy in Action to anyone you think might be interested, as well as submitting and voting on questions for upcoming episodes.