Q&A Webcast Episode: 28 August 2011
In this 28 August 2011 episode of Q&A Webcast, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered four questions on the validity of introversion and extroversion, circumcision and religious freedom, lobbying as a career, working for a statist company, 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: This week, I spoke at the Colorado Springs SkeptiCamp, and next week, I'll be speaking on Family, Rational and Otherwise at the Chicago Objectivist Society's Weekend Conference.
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Segments: 28 August 2011
Question 1: The Validity of Introversion and Extroversion (4:15)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on the validity of introversion and extroversion.
Are "introversion" and "extroversion" valid as psychological types? Sometimes people classify themselves and others as "introverts" and "extroverts." What does that mean? Is the distinction valid and useful? Why or why not?
My Answer, In Brief: Know thyself! A person should know his base personality traits, so that he can manage himself and his life better.
Tags: Ethics, Personality, Psychology
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Question 2: Circumcision and Religious Freedom (29:30)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on circumcision and religious freedom.
Should circumcision be banned? Residents of San Francisco were supposed to vote on a ballot measure that would have banned circumcision, except in cases of medical necessity. (It was struck from the ballot by a judge due to conflicts with state law.) Since circumcision is an millennia-old religious rite for Jews and regarded as essential to their covenant with God, would a ban on circumcision violate the principle of freedom of religion?
My Answer, In Brief: Routine circumcision of baby boys is a violation of rights, and a religious motivation does not change that.
Tags: Circumcision, Ethics, Judaism, Parenting, Politics, Religion
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Question 3: Lobbying as a Career (37:27)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on lobbying as a career.
Can lobbying be a proper career choice? Lobbying involves asking for various kind of favors from the government. Is that a profession that someone who values free markets should avoid like the plague?
My Answer, In Brief: A person can lobby for free markets and individual rights with integrity – and to do so is good!
Tags: Career, Ethics, Government, Integrity, Politics
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Question 4: Working for a Statist Company (45:01)
In this segment, Dr. Diana Hsieh answered a question on working for a statist company.
Is it immoral to work for a company that uses government to eliminate or hamper the competition? For example, if a company has brought antitrust lawsuits against its competitors, should you refuse to work for them?
My Answer, In Brief: In most cases, ordinary employees are not responsible for the political activities of companies that they work for. Sanction and responsibility requires a closer connection to the actions in question.
Tags: Business, Career, Ethics, Government, Politics
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Rapid Fire Questions (51:28)
- Do we need an Objectivist K-Street team?
- Is it wrong to work for Halliburton or another company dependent on government?
- Do you know how or if "right-brained/left-brained" tendencies fit in with personality theory?
- When it comes to personality traits, doesn't the attitude of 'nature to be commanded must be obeyed' contradict the principle that 'man is a being of self-made soul'?
- Should the government mandate vaccination of children?
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Conclusion (1:02:09)
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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