Q&A Webcast Episode: 1 May 2011
In this 1 May 2011 episode of Q&A Webcast, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered six questions on open minds, long-distance relationships, peanut bans, love at first sight, objectivist free state project, virtue as a mean, and more in an hour-long broadcast. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was the audio co-host.
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My News of the Week: On Tuesday, I hope to put a dent in Colorado's campaign finance laws. Also, I'm still working on my updates to Explore Atlas Shrugged.
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Segments: 1 May 2011
Question 1: Open Minds (3:08)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on open minds.
When should a rational person be open-minded? Many people seem to have a mistaken idea of what it means to have an open mind. Where should a person draw the line between (a) listening to an opinion/idea and considering its value and (b) writing off the idea/opinion as hogwash?
My Answer, In Brief: A person needs an active, critical mind – not an open mind.
Tags: Epistemology, Ethics, Philosophy, Psycho-Epistemology
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Question 2: Long-Distance Relationships (12:17)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on long-distance relationships.
What do you think of long-distance relationships? Do you see any dangers in long-distance relationships? Hasn't the internet made such relationships nearly as good as living in the same city?
My Answer, In Brief: Long-distance relationships are a pale shadow of in-person relationships, because two people cannot integrate their lives long-distance.
Tags: Friendship, Love, Relationships, Romance
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Question 3: Peanut Bans (19:15)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on peanut bans.
Are peanut bans in schools immoral? In particular, do restrictions on certain types of food in schools (such as peanuts due to a known peanut allergy) infringe on the rights of the parents of the non-allergic kids to determine the type of diet their children follow? Are the parents of the non-allergic kids making an immoral sacrifice by following the 'no-peanut' rules? What about parents who choose to ignore the rule and send the food to school anyway? Would this scenario be any different in a private school versus a government school?
My Answer, In Brief: For school to ban peanuts due to serious allergy of student is morally right and proper, because it's the most simple and effective means of eliminating a major risk to life and health of a kid in its care.
Tags: Children, Education, Ethics, Health, Parenting
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Question 4: Love at First Sight (31:53)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on love at first sight.
Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not?
My Answer, In Brief: Attraction and interest is possible at first sight, but not love, because love requires deep knowledge of a person and deep affinity based on fundamental values.
Tags: Emotions, Love, Relationships, Romance
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Question 5: Objectivist Free State Project (41:14)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on objectivist free state project.
Where is the best place in the country for an Objectivist to live? The Free State Project in New Hampshire is proving to be a success for libertarians; especially in the town of Keene. I wonder if there might be some potential for a critical mass of Objectivists along similar lines. Is this even worthwhile?
My Answer, In Brief: An Objectivist "Free State" Project would not be effective, nor selfish. Instead, every rationally selfish person should live in whatever location most suits his values.
Tags: Community, Free Society, Libertarianism, Objectivism, Politics
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Question 6: Virtue as a Mean (47:43)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on virtue as a mean.
Is Aristotle's concept of virtue as a mean between extremes of vices valid? In philosophy class my professor attributed the idea of the "Golden Mean" to Aristotle. I understand the concept, and I agree with the principle to some extent, but it still does not sit right with me somehow. (Perhaps the problem is the idea of moderation for moderation's sake.) Is this idea valid as is, or is the essence right with a sloppy framework?
My Answer, In Brief: Aristotle's doctrine of virtue as a mean is an attempt to make ethics objective. The theory is wrong, but not as wrong as the common doctrine of "moderation for moderation's sake."
Tags: Aristotle, Ethics, Philosophy
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Conclusion (59:09)
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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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