Q&A Webcast Episode: 26 December 2010
In this 26 December 2010 episode of Q&A Webcast, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered six questions on altruism and sacrifice, celebrating festivus, what to do about wikileaks, eating pets, topics for first dates, black and white thinking, 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: 58:48
Download the Episode 
Subscribe to the Feed
Share This Episode
Segments: 26 December 2010
Question 1: Altruism and Sacrifice (5:03)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on altruism and sacrifice.
Why does altruism measure virtue by the depth of a person's self-sacrifice, rather than the amount of good actually done for others? Altruism demands every person promote the welfare of others as his ultimate value. Despite that, however, altruistic virtue is not measured by the actual good done for others, but rather by the depth of the person's self-sacrifice. Why is that?
My Answer, In Brief: Altruism is not inconsistent to measure virtue by depth of a person's self-sacrifice. It must do that – or acknowledge that mankind's greatest benefactors are not people doling out charity, but rather people who produce and trade for their own selfish gain.
Tags: Altruism, Christianity, Ethics
Listen or Download 
Comments
Question 2: Celebrating Festivus (15:12)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on celebrating festivus.
Would you recommend your fellow Objectivists to celebrate Festivus? If so, how should we celebrate it?
My Answer, In Brief: It's just as wrong to be contrarian as to be conformist. Instead, use rituals and holidays to reflect your values.
Listen or Download
Relevant Links
Comments
Question 3: What To Do about Wikileaks (24:04)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on what to do about wikileaks.
What should the US government do about Wikileaks founder Julian Assange? In particular, can and should the US government go after him, given that he is not an American citizen and he apparently committed his bad acts outside of US territory?
My Answer, In Brief: Wikileaks is a major problem, but it's wrong for the US to claim power to prosecute anyone anywhere.
Tags: Crime, Foreign Policy, Law, Rights
Listen or Download
Comments
Question 4: Eating Pets (31:46)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on eating pets.
Would you kill your pets for food? Why and why not?
My Answer, In Brief: Our deep feelings for our pets are wonderful, but those feelings shouldn't get in the way of being sensible, selfish pet owners.
Tags: Animals, Ethics, Pets, Rights
Listen or Download
Relevant Links
Comments
Question 5: Topics for First Dates (38:28)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on topics for first dates.
What are some good topics to discuss on a first or second date? Also, what topics should be avoided?
My Answer, In Brief: Focus on the positive, and ask questions that reveal your own and your date's personality and values.
Tags: Communication, Dating, Romance
Listen or Download
Relevant Links
Comments
Question 6: Black and White Thinking (42:24)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on black and white thinking.
Isn't it wrong to be a "black and white" thinker? To a lot of people that is not a good trait. Life isn't black and white. Black and white thinking limits you. It closes doors instead of opening them and it also closes minds. In the case of gray, you can give and take. Why is black and white thinking a necessary part of Objectivism? Shouldn't common contradicting viewpoints be welcome in a healthy discussion?
My Answer, In Brief: We should seek the clarity of a black and white world, but that doesn't mean that we should pretend to know more than we do, ignore complicating factors, or treat people like morons.
Tags: Absolutes, Epistemology, Metaphysics
Listen or Download
Comments
Conclusion (57:14)
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.