Q&A Webcast Episode: 27 February 2011
In this 27 February 2011 episode of Q&A Webcast, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered six questions on living a value-dense life, christianity versus capitalism, being sentimental, student and senior discounts, buying an evildoer's book, helping a stranger in an emergency, and more in an hour-long broadcast. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was the audio co-host.
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Segments: 27 February 2011
Question 1: Living a Value-Dense Life (6:21)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on living a value-dense life.
What does it mean to live a "value-dense" life? What is value density? How can we make our lives more value dense? How might the concept apply to productivity, vacations, education, and social events, for example?
My Answer, In Brief: To live a value-dense life means that your life rich with values – as opposed to when you simply fritter away your time, energy, and resources.
Tags: Ethics, Value-Density, Values
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Question 2: Christianity Versus Capitalism (11:24)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on christianity versus capitalism.
How can a conservative Christian also be a supporter of capitalism? Isn't the Christian philosophy diametrically opposed to the basic principles of egoism and reason necessary to fully support laissez-faire capitalism?
My Answer, In Brief: While many Christians support free markets, they cannot be reconciled. Christianity is hostile to every value of capitalism – wealth, profits, individual rights, planning, material pursuits, private property, and egoism.
Tags: Altruism, Atheism, Capitalism, Christianity, Conservatism, Egoism, Ethics, Faith, Politics, Property, Religion, Wealth
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Question 3: Being Sentimental (25:48)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on being sentimental.
Is it moral to be sentimental? Some dictionaries define sentiment as an attitude based on emotion rather than reason. Is this accurate? Would it then be moral or rational to be sentimental? For example, would it be moral or rational to: (1) Hold on to your favorite childhood toys when you are an adult (assuming you have the space for them), even if they don't carry the same meaning for you now but they bring about good memories and feelings? (2) Keep old love letters or pictures of friends that you are not on speaking terms with (but were, at one time, good friends with) because they remind you of "the good times"?
My Answer, In Brief: To be sentimental is to be "of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia." That can be rational or not, depending on the particulars. To live in the past or to romanticize the past is wrong. But reflections on and mementos of past achievements and experiences is part of what makes a person's life an integrated sum, rather than just a series of moments. And that's good!
Tags: Emotions, Ethics, Psychology, Rationality
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Question 4: Student and Senior Discounts (31:20)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on student and senior discounts.
Are student and senior discounts proper? Aren't these purely need-based discounts? Isn't that unjust, i.e. penalizing people for earning more? For example, is it wrong to ask for monetary contributions for this webcast from people able to pay, but allow people unable to pay to attend too?
My Answer, In Brief: Student and senior discounts in business are not altruism, but rather sources of additional profit, as well as investment in future customers.
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Question 5: Buying an Evildoer's Book (38:38)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on buying an evildoer's book.
Would you recommend buying Nathaniel Branden's Vision of Ayn Rand or not? Given Nathaniel Branden's history of dishonest attacks on Ayn Rand and Objectivism, would you recommend that anyone buy this book? (It's the book version of his "Basic Principles of Objectivism" course.) I've thought about buying it, but I don't want to support that man in any way.
My Answer, In Brief: You should not give moral sanction to an evildoer's book, recommend it without qualifications, or give the evildoer a platform. However, if the book would be of value to you, then you ought to buy it.
Tags: Business, Ethics, Evil, Judgment, Justice, Sanction
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Question 6: Helping a Stranger in an Emergency (47:23)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on helping a stranger in an emergency.
Should you help a man who's dying in front of you? Suppose it will cost you two hours and 200 dollars to save the life of a man you do not know. Should you do it?
My Answer, In Brief: We have no moral obligation to help others simply in virtue of their need. However, a person who would refuse to offer assistance in case of an emergency – when to do so would not be a sacrifice – displays frightening and dangerous ignorance of the value of other people.
Tags: Altruism, Benevolence, Emergencies, Ethics
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Conclusion (1:00:20)
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.
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