On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on the errors of “Open Objectivism”, giving back an engagement ring, buying books with military secrets, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.
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Whole Podcast: 6 April 2014
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 1:01:12
- Download: Enhanced M4A File (22.0 MB)
- Download: Standard MP3 File (21.0 MB)
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Podcast Segments: 6 April 2014
You can download or listen to my answers to individual questions from this episode below.
Introduction
My News of the Week: I’ve been busy programming for Philosophy in Action!
Question 1: The Errors of “Open Objectivism”
Question: What is “open Objectivism”? Recently, I checked out the website of “The Atlas Society,” the organization run by David Kelley. It advocates for “open Objectivism,” which I assume means that each person defines what Objectivism is. Am I interpreting that correctly? What’s wrong with that approach? Does regarding Objectivism as “closed” lead to intolerance, insularity, and schisms?My Answer, In Brief: The “closed system” view of Objectivism just asks that people respect Ayn Rand’s philosophy as her own creation – and differentiate it from their own or others’ ideas. Contrary to the advocates of the “open system,” that approach doesn’t lead to insularity, dogmatism, or intolerance.
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 2:49
- Duration: 32:52
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Ayn Rand, Community, Ethics, Honesty, Justice, Objectivism, Objectivist Movement, Philosophy, Tolerance
Links:
- The Atlas Society: A Note to Our Members About Open Objectivism, The Contested Legacy of Ayn Rand: Truth and Toleration in Objectivism, Chapter 5: Objectivism by David Kelley
- NoodleFood: Ayn Rand on David Kelley and The Open System, One More Time
- Responsibility & Luck: A Defense of Praise and Blame by Diana Hsieh
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Question 2: Giving Back an Engagement Ring
Question: Should a woman give back her engagement ring if the relationship goes sour? A friend of mine asked his girlfriend to marry him, and she accepted. However, they broke off the engagement – and the relationship – a few months later. Is she morally or legally obliged to give back the ring? Is the answer different if they married, then split?My Answer, In Brief: The law on returning engagement rings varies from state to state. Morally, absent fraud or debts, the ring should be returned to the person who bought it.
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 35:41
- Duration: 8:01
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Contracts, Ethics, Law, Marriage, Property, Relationships, Theft
Links:
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Question 3: Buying Books with Military Secrets
Question: Is it wrong to buy a book containing sensitive military information? The Pentagon claims that the new book No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Bin Laden reveals some potentially sensitive details about the operation. I’d really like to read about the mission, but I’m worried that the Pentagon’s concerns are valid, and I’d rather not contribute to a work that that puts our soldiers at risk. However, given that the book has already been released, does it matter whether I buy it or not?My Answer, In Brief: Based on the story about the publication of this book, you can read it without misgivings. In general, you should feel free to read anything on the open market, provided that its very publication isn’t morally wrong.
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 43:42
- Duration: 7:28
- Download: MP3 Segment
- Tags: Crime, Ethics, Free Speech, Law, Military, Secrets
Links:
- Wikipedia: No Easy Day: U.S. government response and investigations
- No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Bin Laden (kindle)
To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.
Rapid Fire Questions
Questions:
- What is the proper response to people who say, “If you take Objectivism to its logical conclusion, it leads to [this specific conclusion”? They believe you must necessarily come to the same conclusion as them, because their conclusion is the consequence of a syllogistic chain of reasoning, making the conclusion “necessary.”
- What is the difference between rationalizing and reasoning poorly? Often times people who make bad arguments are accused of rationalization when it might just be that they are mistaken.
- In a free society, should political parties which advocate statism be outlawed? Or would outlawing them be statism? How else do we stop people voting for tyrants and destroying the free society?
Listen or Download:
- Start Time: 51:11
- Duration: 8:43
- Download: MP3 Segment
To comment on these questions or my answers, visit its comment thread.
Conclusion
Be sure to check out the topics scheduled for upcoming episodes! Don’t forget to submit and vote on questions for future episodes too!
- Start Time: 59:55
About Philosophy in Action Radio
Philosophy in Action Radio focuses on the application of rational principles to the challenges of real life. It broadcasts live on most Sunday mornings and many Thursday evenings over the internet. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.