On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on exceptions to rules, judgments of men versus women for sexual relationships with minors, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.

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Whole Podcast: 28 June 2015

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Podcast Segments: 28 June 2015

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

Introduction

My News of the Week: I’ve been changing my name (socially, not yet legally) from Diana Hsieh to Diana Brickell.

Question 1: Exceptions to Rules

Question: When should exceptions to established rules be granted? People often oppose some proposed exception to the rules on the grounds that doing so would set a dangerous precedent and engender abuse. For example, suppose that an honest and diligent student is in the hospital, and he wants to keep up with his school work as much as possible. His parents propose that he take his math exam from the hospital, and they’ll monitor him during the exam. The school refuses on the grounds that if all students were allowed to do that, then cheating would be rampant because not all parents would be honest or diligent monitors. Is that a valid reason for refusing this proposed exception to the rules? When should exceptions be granted to established rules?

My Answer, In Brief: Rules are not sacrosanct. The critical point – for both rule-makers and rule-followers/rule-breakers is to respect the relevant underlying principles and goals. From that basis, reasonable exceptions can be made.

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

Question 2: Judgments of Men Versus Women for Sexual Relationships with Minors

Question: Why aren’t women strongly condemned for sexual relationships with underage boys? A few years ago, I saw a flurry of news stories about female teachers in their twenties committing statutory rape by having sex with their teenage male students. At the time, many public commentators and comedians said that they didn’t see how the boys could have been harmed, and they thought an adult male teacher having sex with a female student would be much more predatory. Besides, those commentators often added, the female teachers in these cases were “hot.” At the time, I agreed with those views, but lately, I’ve been thinking that I should check my premises. So is it the case that an adult man having sex with a female minor is more predatory than an adult woman having sex with a male minor? Are the teenage male minor’s rights violated if he is seduced into a sexual relationship with a female teacher? Is a double standard at work here?

My Answer, In Brief: My basic advice is to ignore the media hyperventilating over these kinds of cases: you can’t know enough about the relationship to judge. In the meantime, check your premises about male versus female sexual desire.

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

Rapid Fire Questions

Questions:

  • Is strength a virtue or a moral amplifier?
  • Given that you take requests for questions to answer, how much does voting on the questions really matter? (I’m just curious–your show, your rules!)
  • My coworker makes unfunny, snide comments to me under the guise of kidding around. When I defend myself with cutting responses, he acts taken aback and accuses me of being sensitive. What should I do?

Listen or Download:

  • Start Time: 57:24
  • Duration: 5:55
  • 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: 1:03:19


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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.

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