Q&A Webcast Episode: 5 December 2010
In this 5 December 2010 episode of Q&A Webcast, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered six questions on polyamory versus monogamy, values after death, the problem of procrastination, in-laws as "mom" and "dad", objectivism versus theism, sanctioning the tsa, and more in an hour-long broadcast. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was the audio co-host.
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Segments: 5 December 2010
Question 1: Polyamory Versus Monogamy (3:26)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on polyamory versus monogamy.
What's wrong with multiple sexual partners at a time? Why do you think that multiple romantic partners are psychologically destructive for everyone involved? What is it about romantic love that you think demands attention on one and only one other person?
My Answer, In Brief: Sex is an inherently intimate act, and it's not possible to be in meaningful sexual relationship with two people without doing harm to oneself in some way or other.
Tags: Ethics, Monogamy, Polygamy, Relationships, Romance, Sex
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Question 2: Values After Death (13:52)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on values after death.
Should I care what happens to the world after I die? Should I care about my friends and projects after I die? What about caring about humanity long after my death? Should that affect my actions today?
My Answer, In Brief: Values must be experienced as thoroughly long-range, even extending beyond one's life, but they are for the living!
Tags: Afterlife, Atheism, Death, Ethics, Values
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Question 3: The Problem of Procrastination (25:37)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on the problem of procrastination.
How can I procrastinate less? Often, I avoid doing unpleasant tasks for days or weeks, and I feel terrible about those delays. How can I motivate myself to just get those dreaded chores out of the way?
My Answer, In Brief: Procrastination is often due to subconscious conflict. Introspect to unearth and resolve that conflict, so that you can get the dreaded task done.
Tags: Emotions, Productivity
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Question 4: In-Laws as "Mom" and "Dad" (34:48)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on in-laws as "mom" and "dad".
Should people call their parents-in-law "Mom" and "Dad"? My brother in law started calling my parents "mom" and "dad" – and in turn my sister now calls his parents "mom" and "dad". This seriously offends me. My parents earned the title of mom and dad. They RAISED us – they cared for us, educated us, taught us values, loved us, and corrected us when we were wrong. My relationship with my parents is one of the most important relationships of my life and one I don't take lightly. I would never think to call anyone else "mom" and "dad" because no one else has even remotely earned it. It would only cheapen the relationship for me. I think my brother in law is being too familiar with my parents, and disrespectful to his own (and vice versa for my sister). Are my feelings valid? And what can I do about them if they are not?
My Answer, In Brief: What other people call each other is not your concern. Focus on what matters to you: your relationship with these people.
Tags: Communication, Family, In-Laws, Relationships
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Question 5: Objectivism Versus Theism (42:48)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on objectivism versus theism.
Can an Objectivist believe in God? Can a person be a theist and an Objectivist? Or is that too fundamental a conflict? If so, why?
My Answer, In Brief: Philosophies must be judged by essentials, and on that basis, Christianity nothing less than wholly opposed to Objectivism.
Tags: Altruism, Atheism, Capitalism, Christianity, Epistemology, Ethics, Faith, Metaphysics, Politics, Religion, Wealth
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Question 6: Sanctioning the TSA (57:01)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on sanctioning the tsa.
Given the TSA's policies, is choosing to fly giving the sanction of the victim?
My Answer, In Brief: To sanction something is to endorse it, and to unwillingly comply with force is not to sanction it.
Tags: Ethics, Government, Rights, Sanction
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Conclusion (59:21)
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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.
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.
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