Q&A Webcast Episode: 26 June 2011
In this 26 June 2011 episode of Q&A Webcast, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered four questions on morality and living well, the risk of guns with kids, tact versus honesty, staying in an abusive marriage for the kids, and more in an hour-long broadcast. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was the audio co-host.
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Segments: 26 June 2011
Question 1: Morality and Living Well (4:04)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on morality and living well.
What makes some action or choice of ethical concern? In your description of this webcast, you say that you answer questions on "practical ethics and the principles of living well." What's the line between those categories? When does a person acting unwisely cross the line into immorality? When does a person deserve moral praise for acting wisely? I'd appreciate a few examples, such as career choices, family relationships, eating habits, interacting with strangers, etc.
My Answer, In Brief: Ethics concerns the fundamental principles that ought to guide our choices and actions, but many differences in people's choices are due to optional matters of style or values or honest mistake – not immorality.
Tags: Ethics, Life, Optional Values, Philosophy, Values
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Question 2: The Risk of Guns with Kids (23:24)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on the risk of guns with kids.
Should people give up their guns when they have kids? Many people think that having guns in the house with kids is terribly risky, if not child endangerment. They say that the kids might get to the guns, even if locked away, and injure or even kill themselves in an accidental discharge. Is that right? If parents choose to keep their guns in the house, what should they do to minimize the risk of injury?
My Answer, In Brief: Don't try to kid-proof guns, but instead, gun-proof your kids by training them in the principles of gun safety.
Tags: Children, Ethics, Firearms, Parenting, Politics, Risk, Self-Defense
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Question 3: Tact Versus Honesty (43:39)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on tact versus honesty.
Is it dishonest to use tact when talking to someone? When I have something important to tell someone and I am concerned that the other person might be put on the defensive or have hurt feelings, I try to say what I need to say with tact. That is, I change what I say from brutal honesty to something easier for a person to hear and accept. However, I worry that I'm being dishonest in doing so. When does using tact cross the line into dishonesty?
My Answer, In Brief: Tact may or may not be dishonest. Tact is a matter of style, not content, and sometimes (but not always) it's an effective method of communication.
Tags: Communication, Ethics, Etiquette, Honesty
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Question 4: Staying in an Abusive Marriage for the Kids (47:45)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on staying in an abusive marriage for the kids.
Is it moral to stay in an abusive marriage for the sake of the children? Should a woman stay in a marriage where the husband is abusive toward her because she has kids with the husband and wants her kids to have some sort of future? Does it matter if the man in question has some – or even all – the financial capability?
My Answer, In Brief: Yes, yes, yes! To stay in an abusive marriage for the sake of the children is a farce, because the children will be hugely damaged thereby. The woman needs to be the adult – and take responsibility for herself and her kids.
Tags: Children, Ethics, Marriage, Parenting, Rights, Romance
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Rapid Fire Questions (52:24)
- Should Americans celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden?
- Is nuclear power so risky that it should be banned?
- What's the proper view of homosexuality and gay sex?
- What's wrong with a person neglecting his pets and what should be done about such a person?
- Is it okay to require training and have a permit system for guns?
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Conclusion (1:07:26)
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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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