On Sunday’s Philosophy in Action Radio, I answered questions on individualism versus anti-social atomism, poor communication from the boss, visibility of disabled children, arranged marriages, and more with Greg Perkins. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading. You’ll find it on the episode’s archive page, as well as below.

Remember, you can automatically download podcasts of Philosophy in Action Radio by subscribing to Philosophy in Action’s Podcast RSS Feed:

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Podcast: Individualism, Disabled Children, Arranged Marriages, and More

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 1:02:20
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (22.4 MB)
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Remember, with every episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, we show how rational philosophy can help you find joy in your work, model virtue for your kids, pursue your goals effectively, communicate with respect, and advocate for a free society. We can’t do that without your support, so please remember to tip your philosopher!

You can download or listen to individual questions from this episode below.

Introduction (0:00)

My News of the Week: I’ve been preparing the index for my soon-forthcoming book, Responsibility and Luck (a.k.a. my dissertation). I’ve also been preparing my talk on moral amplifiers for ATLOSCon next weekend!

Question 1: Individualism Versus Anti-Social Atomism (2:55)

In this segment, I answered a question on individualism versus anti-social atomism.

Does individualism imply social isolation and atomism? Many critics of Ayn Rand argue that her individualism is hostile to love, concern, and respect for other people. They claim that her “atomistic individualism” doesn’t permit, let alone support, groups or community. Are these criticisms true? What is the right view of human society and sociability?

My Answer, In Brief: Individualism does not mean eschewing society or groups. It means respecting the rights, lives, and minds of individuals in society and groups. It’s the basic moral foundation of healthy social relations.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 13:42
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Collectivism, Collectivism, Epistemology, Ethics, Individualism, Metaphysics, Objectivism, Politics, Relationships, Rights, Sacrifice, Society

Links:

• Ayn Rand Lexicon: Individualism and Collectivism

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 2: Poor Communication from the Boss (16:37)

In this segment, I answered a question on poor communication from the boss.

How can I make my boss more communicative? My boss hardly ever tells me company news affecting my projects, even when critical. As a result, I’ve wasted days and weeks on useless work, and I’ve gotten into needless conflicts with co-workers. I’m always guessing at what I should be doing, and I just hate that. What can I do to make my boss to be more communicative with me?

My Answer, In Brief: You cannot manage your boss, but you can request more channels of communication, protect yourself from blame for his screw-ups, and if necessary, find a new boss.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 6:48
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Business, Career, Communication, Job, Personality

Links:

• NoodleFood: Introduction to DiSC
• Philosophy in Action: Interview with Santiago Valenzuela on “DiSC Personality Profiles”

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 3: Visibility of Disabled Children (23:26)

In this segment, I answered a question on visibility of disabled children.

Should disabled kids be kept out of the public eye? Recently, a waiter at a restaurant refused to serve one party after hearing them make fun of a child with Down’s Syndrome sitting with his family in a nearby booth. Both parties were regulars to the restaurant. Some people have praised the waiter’s actions because he took offense at overhearing the first party say “special needs kids should be kept in special places.” He called them on their rudeness and refused to serve them. Others think he was wrong: his catering to the party with the disabled kid is indicative of a culture that embraces mediocrity and disability. What is the proper assessment of the remark made and the waiter’s response? Should people with disabilities be kept from public view?

My Answer, In Brief: Disabled people have every right to be out in the world, pursuing their values – so long as they respect rights and act decently – just as do normal people. To suggest that disabled people should be locked away, as the people at this table did, is morally monstrous.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 16:43
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Ayn Rand, Benevolence, Children, Disability, Egoism, Ethics, Individualism, Parenting, Respect, Rights

Links:

• Whine and Dine, Extra Edition: Laurenzo’s Waiter Refuses Service – For a Good Reason
• Waiter who refused to serve rude customer becomes Internet hero
• NoodleFood: Disabled People in the Public Eye
• Wikipedia: Actor Chris Burke

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 4: Arranged Marriages (40:09)

In this segment, I answered a question on arranged marriages.

Are arranged marriages legally and socially valid? A coworker of mine in his early 20s grew up in India. His parents have arranged his marriage to a young woman who also now lives in the US. He appreciates that his parents selected a wife for him: he doesn’t want to spend the time or take the risk of finding a wife himself. Should such a marriage be considered legally valid? Is it just a marriage of convenience? Is the practice of arranged marriages immoral and/or impractical?

My Answer, In Brief: Arranged marriages are legally and socially valid marriages. However, the institution of arranged marriages is a deeply immoral one: the choice of a spouse is too important to leave to others, and if a person isn’t competent or interested to decide for himself, then he shouldn’t marry.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 15:50
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags: Adult Children, Children, Ethics, Family, Independence, Independence, Marriage, Parenting, Relationships

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Rapid Fire Questions (55:59)

In this segment, I answered questions impromptu. The questions were:

• Given that socialists call profits greed, why don’t they call reported losses generosity?
• How do you pick the questions that you’ll answer each week? Are you worried about running out of topics?

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 5:00
• Download: MP3 Segment

To comment on these questions or my answers, visit its comment thread.

Conclusion (1:00:59)

Be sure to check out my blog NoodleFood and to submit and vote on questions for upcoming episodes.

About Philosophy in Action Radio

Philosophy in Action Radio applies rational principles to the challenges of real life in live internet radio shows on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.

Remember, with every episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, we show how rational philosophy can help you find joy in your work, model virtue for your kids, pursue your goals effectively, communicate with respect, and advocate for a free society. We can’t do that without your support, so please remember to tip your philosopher!

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On Sunday’s Philosophy in Action Radio, I answered questions on taxes versus slavery, infanticide after abortion, emergency medical care, and more with Greg Perkins. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading. You’ll find it on the episode’s archive page, as well as below.

Remember, you can automatically download podcasts of Philosophy in Action Radio by subscribing to Philosophy in Action’s Podcast RSS Feed:

• Enhanced M4A Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player
• Standard MP3 Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player

Podcast: High Taxes, Infanticide, EMTALA, and More

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 1:08:57
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (24.8 MB)
• Download: Standard MP3 File (23.7 MB)

Remember, with every episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, we show how rational philosophy can help you find joy in your work, model virtue for your kids, pursue your goals effectively, communicate with respect, and advocate for a free society. We can’t do that without your support, so please remember to tip your philosopher!

You can download or listen to individual questions from this episode below.

Introduction (0:00)

My News of the Week: I attended the hearing of the Colorado Supreme Court regarding the Coalition for Secular Government‘s lawsuit in federal court. The main question discussed whether a single sentence of express advocacy in our policy paper makes the whole paper a policy paper or not. I’m still working on editing the galley proofs of soon-forthcoming book, Responsibility and Luck (a.k.a. my dissertation). Of course, that’s taking longer than I’d like.

Question 1: Taxes Versus Slavery (6:51)

In this segment, I answered a question on taxes versus slavery.

Are high taxes comparable to slavery? On Facebook, some friends suggest that America is becoming more like Nazi Germany. Others share images comparing Americans workers to slaves picking cotton in the antebellum south due to our ever-higher taxes. I think these comparisons go way too far: Americans are still some of the freest people the world has ever known. No doubt, our freedom is being chipped away, but are we really like slaves?

My Answer, In Brief: Advocates of free markets discredit their cause by likening taxation to slavery. Slavery is the complete and utter violation of the rights of persons. It’s a far worse horror than taxation, with differences in kind, not just degree.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 14:35
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Activism, Apocalypticism, Epistemology, Government, History, Language, Politics, Slavery, Taxes

Links:

• Ayn Rand on the Draft
• Man’s Rights and The Nature of Government by Ayn Rand

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 2: Infanticide After Abortion (21:28)

In this segment, I answered a question on infanticide after abortion.

Is killing a baby born after an abortion a form of murder? Kermit Gosnell is currently on trial for murder, due to accusations that he killed infants who were delivered in abortions at his clinic. If the facts are as reported, should he be convicted of murder? What should be done when a baby is born alive during an abortion? What are the likely cultural and political implications of this trial?

My Answer, In Brief: According to the testimony at the trial, Kermit Gosnell did not merely perform abortions: he killed born babies, i.e. persons with a right to life. A person who does that is guilty of murder, and he should be prosecuted and punished.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 15:52
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Abortion, Children, Crime, Ethics, Infanticide, Law, Politics, Pregnancy, Rights

Links:

• The Atlantic: Why Dr. Kermit Gosnell’s Trial Should Be a Front-Page Story and 14 Theories for Why Kermit Gosnell’s Case Didn’t Get More Media Attention by Conor Friedersdorf
• CBS News Coverage of the Kermit Gosnell Trial
• The “Personhood” Movement Is Anti-Life: Why It Matters that Rights Begin at Birth, Not Conception by Ari Armstrong and Diana Hsieh, particularly Rights in Pregnancy
• Abortion Doctor Kermit Gosnell Condemned by Pro-Abortion Rights Groups
• Gallup: Americans’ Abortion Views Steady Amid Gosnell Trial
• Philosophy in Action: Criminal Death of a Fetus

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 3: Emergency Medical Care (37:20)

In this segment, I answered a question on emergency medical care.

Do people have a right to emergency medical care? EMTALA (a.k.a. the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act) is a federal law that requires emergency rooms to stabilize any patient with an emergency medical condition, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. Is that proper? Is that the same as a right to medical care?

My Answer, In Brief: EMTALA violates the rights of doctors, based on the false premise of a “right” to health care. In practice, it’s a disaster for doctors, hospitals, and the working poor. Ultimately, only scammers and advocates of government-controlled medicine benefit by it.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 22:21
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Altruism, Charity, Egalitarianism, Emergencies, Ethics, Free Society, Justice, Law, Law, Medicine, Politics, Poverty

Links:

• FAQ on EMTALA
• Cato Institute: Medicare’s Origin: The Economics and Politics of Dependency by Charlotte Twight
• American College of Emergency Physicians: On EMTALA and The Uninsured
• Health Care Is Not a Right by Leonard Peikoff
• The Objective Standard: Moral Health Care vs. “Universal Health Care” by Lin Zinser and Paul Hsieh
• The Objective Standard: Health Care and the Separation of Charity and State by Paul Hsieh
• Freedom and Individual Rights in Medicine (FIRM), particularly its articles
• The History of Health Care Costs and Health Insurance by Linda Gorman

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Rapid Fire Questions (59:42)

In this segment, I answered questions impromptu. The questions were:

• Is taxation a form of racket?
• Does your house have dignity?
• Have you ever noticed people mixing up a right to something and eligibility for it?

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 7:05
• Download: MP3 Segment

To comment on these questions or my answers, visit its comment thread.

Conclusion (1:06:48)

Be sure to check out my blog NoodleFood and to submit and vote on questions for upcoming episodes.

About Philosophy in Action Radio

Philosophy in Action Radio applies rational principles to the challenges of real life in live internet radio shows on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.

Remember, with every episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, we show how rational philosophy can help you find joy in your work, model virtue for your kids, pursue your goals effectively, communicate with respect, and advocate for a free society. We can’t do that without your support, so please remember to tip your philosopher!

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On Sunday’s Philosophy in Action Radio, I answered questions on personality and sense of life, helping a self-destructive friend, concern for the rights of rights-violators, and more with Greg Perkins. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading. You’ll find it on the episode’s archive page, as well as below.

Remember, you can automatically download podcasts of Philosophy in Action Radio by subscribing to Philosophy in Action’s Podcast RSS Feed:

• Enhanced M4A Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player
• Standard MP3 Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player

Podcast: Sense of Life, Taxing Friendship, Rights-Violators, and More

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 1:11:20
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (25.7 MB)
• Download: Standard MP3 File (24.5 MB)

Remember, with every episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, we show how rational philosophy can help you find joy in your work, model virtue for your kids, pursue your goals effectively, communicate with respect, and advocate for a free society. We can’t do that without your support, so please remember to tip your philosopher!

You can download or listen to individual questions from this episode below.

Introduction (0:00)

My News of the Week: I’m delighted to report that last Sunday’s episode had over 18,000 listens thank to promotion by BlogTalkRadio. That is made possible by our generous supporters, so thank you! Paul Hsieh has a column in the print edition of Forbes, so pick that up. I’ve been at my 20th high school reunion, at Garrison Forest School in Maryland. It’s been great to see my classmates for the first time in 20 years. Finally, I’ve been diligently reviewing the galley proofs of my soon-forthcoming book, Responsibility and Luck (a.k.a. my dissertation).

Question 1: Personality and Sense of Life (6:09)

In this segment, I answered a question on personality and sense of life.

What is the relationship between personality and sense of life? What is the difference between them? How does a person’s sense of life relate to his personality? Does understanding someone’s sense of life help us to understand his personality and vice versa?

My Answer, In Brief: Ayn Rand’s concept of “sense of life” is difficult to untangle and seems deeply problematic, as becomes evident when attempting to make sense of it in light of what we know about personality.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 20:43
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Objectivism, Personality, Personal Values, Philosophy, Psychology, Sense of Life

Links:

• “Philosophy and Sense of Life” by Ayn Rand in The Romantic Manifesto and “Philosophy: Who Needs It” by Ayn Rand in Philosophy: Who Needs It
• Making Sense of Sense of Life by Will Wilkinson
• Philosophy in Action: The Validity of Introversion and Extroversion and The Value of Studying Personality

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 2: Helping a Self-Destructive Friend (26:53)

In this segment, I answered a question on helping a self-destructive friend.

Am I obliged to help a friend in trouble due to her own poor choices? I have a friend who is emotionally draining to me, and she is especially “down on her luck” this month. However, her situation is a direct result of especially poor personal choices over the last year, and there is no good path to get her out of the hole of poverty and depression. We don’t have much in common other than similar-aged kids, and active participation in a local moms’ group, but because I have come to her aid in the past, I feel an unspoken obligation to continue. (Maybe it’s guilt, or pity, or empathy?) What are my obligations in a friendship that has recently become more taxing than beneficial? I don’t dislike her, and we have many mutual friends, but I just don’t think I can muster the time, financial resources, or energy this time to help bail her out of the latest fiasco. Is it morally acceptable to refuse to help? Should I talk to her about why now – or wait until she’s less vulnerable?

My Answer, In Brief: Given the distant nature of the friendship and the fact that this person has created her own problems, you’re not obliged to help and you probably shouldn’t do so. You should only help if you can do so in a way that’s of benefit to both of you.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 16:18
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Benevolence, Charity, Communication, Emotions, Ethics, Friendship, Integrity, Judgment, Justice, Moral Wrongs, Self-Destruction

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 3: Concern for the Rights of Rights-Violators (43:01)

In this segment, I answered a question on concern for the rights of rights-violators.

Is it wrong to be indifferent to the rights-violations of people who advocate rights-violations? Some celebrities actively promote the violation of rights by lending their support to political groups. For example, former American Idol contestant Krista Branch has actively campaigned against gay marriage on behalf of Focus on the Family. However, in a recent interview, Branch complained that people were pirating her songs. I know that Branch’s intellectual property rights should be respected, and I would never pirate her music. Yet I can’t feel any sympathy for her, given that she advocates violating other people’s rights. I’m of the opinion that people who advocate for the use of force against others should not be spared from the consequences of the kind of culture that creates. Is that wrong? Am I being malevolent? Should I defend her rights, even though she advocates violating my rights?

My Answer, In Brief: Even the rights of people who advocate rights-violations should be respected, but rational people should crusade for the principle and innocent people being harmed by rights-violations, not for those mixed cases.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 11:37
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Activism, Celebrities, Judgment, Justice, Moral Wrongs, Politics, Rights

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Rapid Fire Questions (54:38)

In this segment, I answered questions impromptu. The questions were:

• What’s your opinion of vitamins and other supplements? For everything that’s recommended there seems to be someone dismissing it. Do you know of any good sources on the subject? Does Nathaniel Branden really say that he can cure migraines in The Psychology of Self-Esteem? Is forcing a fire code on private city dwellings wrong? What would happen in a free market instead?

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 13:06
• Download: MP3 Segment

To comment on these questions or my answers, visit its comment thread.

Conclusion (1:07:45)

Be sure to check out my blog NoodleFood and to submit and vote on questions for upcoming episodes.

About Philosophy in Action Radio

Philosophy in Action Radio applies rational principles to the challenges of real life in live internet radio shows on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.

Remember, with every episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, we show how rational philosophy can help you find joy in your work, model virtue for your kids, pursue your goals effectively, communicate with respect, and advocate for a free society. We can’t do that without your support, so please remember to tip your philosopher!

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On Sunday’s Philosophy in Action Radio, I answered questions on self-interest in marriage, attending religious ceremonies, multigenerational space travel, drugs as treatment for mental illness, and more with Greg Perkins. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading. You’ll find it on the episode’s archive page, as well as below.

Remember, you can automatically download podcasts of Philosophy in Action Radio by subscribing to Philosophy in Action’s Podcast RSS Feed:

• Enhanced M4A Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player
• Standard MP3 Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player

Podcast: Marriage, Religious Ceremonies, Space Travel, and More

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 1:06:24
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (23.9 MB)
• Download: Standard MP3 File (22.9 MB)

Remember, with every episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, we show how rational philosophy can help you find joy in your work, model virtue for your kids, pursue your goals effectively, communicate with respect, and advocate for a free society. We can’t do that without your support, so please remember to tip your philosopher!

You can download or listen to individual questions from this episode below.

Introduction (0:00)

My News of the Week: I’ve been finalizing the layout of my soon-forthcoming book, Responsibility and Luck (a.k.a. my dissertation), and now I’m doing the final review of the text and layouy, creating the index, and planning the podcast series. The book will be available in a week or two!

Question 1: Self-Interest in Marriage (3:23)

In this segment, I answered a question on self-interest in marriage.

Can marriage be self-interested? Most people describe marriage as requiring compromise, sacrifice, and concession. Is that right? Is a happy and fulfilling marriage possible where each person pursues his or her own values, without such compromise, sacrifice, or concession? Is some different approach to marriage required?

My Answer, In Brief: Marriage need not and should not be sacrificial. A happy marriage is egoistic: each person pursues his own self-interest, including by being respectful and accommodating of his/her spouse.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 13:50
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Communication, Compromise, Egoism, Ethics, Marriage, Romance, Sacrifice, Self-Interest

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 2: Attending Religious Ceremonies (17:13)

In this segment, I answered a question on attending religious ceremonies.

Is it wrong for an atheist to refuse to attend a sibling’s religious ceremony? I’ve decided not to attend the religious ceremony of my younger sister’s upcoming Bat Mitzvah. I’m an atheist, and while I don’t think attending would be immoral, I don’t want to support any kind of religiosity or connection to religion. Other family members have criticized me for that decision, saying that I should support my sister and not pressure her into agreeing with my own views. Should I attend? If not, how should I handle the family dynamics?

My Answer, In Brief: Other things being equal, the morality of attending a religious ceremony depends on the morality and religiosity of the ceremony. Here, attendance is optional, and you should explain your reasons to your sister kindly, and tell your family to mind their own business.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 10:16
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Communication, Ethics, Family, Integrity, Judaism, Religion, Siblings

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 3: Multigenerational Space Travel (27:30)

In this segment, I answered a question on multigenerational space travel.

Is multigenerational space travel immoral? According to a panel at SETICon 2012, the designs for multi-generational space ships are already in the works. Are there ethical problems with people bearing children who will never see Earth, and likely never set foot on a planet? Would they be robbed of any ability to determine their own fate? Or is it a moot point since had the circumstances been different, they might not have ever been born at all?

My Answer, In Brief: Children are not entitled to the best that Earth has to offer. They are entitled to have real lives, lived in freedom. That would be tricky to implement in space, but possible.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 12:08
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags:

• Children, Ethics, Free Society, Parenting, Rights

Links:

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Non-Identity Problem
• FuturePundit: Objections To Multi-Generational Space Exploration

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Question 4: Drugs as Treatment for Mental Illness (39:38)

In this segment, I answered a question on drugs as treatment for mental illness.

Is taking antidepressants and other prescribed drugs for mental problems a form of evasion? I’m new to the philosophy of Objectivism, and I’ve seen that it’s rapidly helping cure the last parts of a depression I went through last year. I started taking Adderal about eight months ago, and it has helped tremendously. But I wonder: Does taking these drugs or other antidepressants conflict with the principle that a person should never evade reality?

My Answer, In Brief: Some people seem to need need for antidepressants and other drugs to achieve normal mental functioning or restore themselves to that – and to use them in those cases is entirely proper and not evasion.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 17:39
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags: Ethics, Evasion, Health, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Psychology

Links:

• Understanding Objectivism by Leonard Peikoff: original course or edited book in paperback or kindle

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

Rapid Fire Questions (57:18)

In this segment, I answered questions impromptu. The questions were:

• Do Objectivists hold each other to higher standards?
• Is it mystical to name your pets after wizards?
• Do spouses have an expectation of privacy?

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 7:07
• Download: MP3 Segment

To comment on these questions or my answers, visit its comment thread.

Conclusion (1:04:25)

Be sure to check out my blog NoodleFood and to submit and vote on questions for upcoming episodes.

About Philosophy in Action Radio

Philosophy in Action Radio applies rational principles to the challenges of real life in live internet radio shows on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.

Remember, with every episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, we show how rational philosophy can help you find joy in your work, model virtue for your kids, pursue your goals effectively, communicate with respect, and advocate for a free society. We can’t do that without your support, so please remember to tip your philosopher!

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On Wednesday’s Philosophy in Action Radio, I interviewed pianist and graduate student in medical physics Eric Barnhill about “Cognition, Movement, and Music.” The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading. You’ll find it on the episode’s archive page, as well as below.

Remember, you can automatically download podcasts of Philosophy in Action Radio by subscribing to Philosophy in Action’s Podcast RSS Feed:

• Enhanced M4A Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player
• Standard MP3 Feed: Subscribe via iTunes or another podcast player

Podcast: Eric Barnhill on “Cognition, Movement, and Music”

How does cognition connect to physical movement, tone, and rhythm? Can moving to music help the development of cognitive skills and capacities, particularly in children?

Eric Barnhill is a Juilliard-trained concert pianist and the creator of Cognitive Eurhythmics music movement therapy. He is pursuing a Ph.D in medical physics at the University of Edinburgh, where he studies brain-muscle interaction using magnetic resonance physics.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 1:02:34
• Download: Standard MP3 File (21.5 MB)

Topics:

• Eric’s background as a classical pianist
• Starting with movement therapy: the “Feldenkrais Method”
• Moving to the Dalcroze Eurhythmics
• Discoveries about music and movement
• Teaching children about music and movement
• On learning and music
• Activities at home and in the classroom
• Adults using these techniques
• Training horses and communicating with others
• Teaching developmentally disabled kids
• The problem with behavioral therapy
• Teaching well-off versus poor kids
• Noisy environments
• Eric’s plans in graduate school and beyond

Links:

• Eric Barnhill’s Web Site: Cognitive Eurhythmics
• TEDx: Empowering Through Rhythm by Eric Barnhill
• Roads Taken and Not Taken: Eric Barnhill ’95
• Feldenkrais Method
• Neural Connectivity, Music, and Movement: A Response to Pat Amos by Eric Barnhill

Tags:

• Children, Education, Epistemology, Mind, Mind-Body Connection, Music, Parenting

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Philosophy in Action Radio applies rational principles to the challenges of real life in live internet radio shows on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.

Remember, Philosophy in Action Radio is available to anyone, free of charge. That’s because our goal is to spread rational principles for real life far and wide, as we do every week to thousands of listeners. We love doing that, but each episode requires our time, effort, and money. So if you enjoy and value our work, please contribute to our tip jar. We suggest $5 per episode or $20 per month, but any amount is appreciated. You can send your contribution via Dwolla, PayPal, or US Mail.

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