Q&A Webcast Episode: 2 January 2011
In this 2 January 2011 episode of Q&A Webcast, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered six questions on hedonism, taking drugs, judging mixed people, romance with an irrational person, santa claus and kids, when to speak out, and more in an hour-long broadcast. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was the audio co-host.
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Segments: 2 January 2011
Question 1: Hedonism (3:29)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on hedonism.
What's wrong with hedonism? What's the difference between "rational selfishness" and hedonism? What's wrong with attempting to maximize pleasure over the course of a whole life?
My Answer, In Brief: Hedonism is purely subjective: it says that a person ought to pursue whatever he finds pleasurable. Rational egoism objective: it says that a person ought to pursue what actually promotes his life as a rational human being.
Tags: Ethics, Hedonism, Pleasure
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Question 2: Taking Drugs (14:20)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on taking drugs.
Which mind-altering or mood-altering substances are rational to take? (alcohol, caffeine, marijuana, etc.) And what principles do you apply in deciding?
My Answer, In Brief: If you are seeking pleasure in the impairment of your body and mind, then it's time to examine your life and your premises.
Tags: Alcohol/Drugs, Ethics, Rationality
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Question 3: Judging Mixed People (26:36)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on judging mixed people.
How do you judge people of mixed premises? Many people are of "mixed" premises. How does one develop close and personal friendships or pursue long-term, serious, romantic relationships when many people are not consistently rational or moral? How does one judge such people objectively as to their worthiness for friendship or as a potential romantic interest?
My Answer, In Brief: When judging mixed people, seek a clear understanding of what's black and white in them, then determine whether and what kind of relationship with them will serve your values – if any.
Tags: Ethics, Judgment, Justice, Relationships, Relationships, Sanction
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Question 4: Romance with an Irrational Person (34:38)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on romance with an irrational person.
Suppose you were a rational man in a relationship with a less rational woman, how would you handle your girlfriend's ever-expanding irrational behavior?
My Answer, In Brief: Irrationality in a lover is a killer of romance.
Tags: Rationality, Relationships, Romance
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Question 5: Santa Claus and Kids (38:33)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on santa claus and kids.
Is it moral to introduce the idea of Santa Claus to children – and why or why not? Some Objectivists say that introducing Santa or staying silent on the issue to let the child figure it out for himself constitutes deception and lying. Others say it's a playful and fun game with Santa as a hero standing for justice in a way kiddies can understand.
My Answer, In Brief: The pleasure and value of Santa Claus lies in the meaning and richness of the stories about him, not in the delusion that he's real.
Tags: Children, Holidays, Honesty, Parenting
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Question 6: When to Speak Out (48:17)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on when to speak out.
Under what circumstances does it become incumbent to challenge another's beliefs, especially in a religious context?
My Answer, In Brief: Focus on taking responsibility for your own beliefs and actions. Don't assume responsibility for what others think and do.
Tags: Communication, Integrity, Responsibility, Sanction
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Conclusion (58:02)
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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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