NoodleCast #50: Live Rationally Selfish Webcast

Jan 042011

On Sunday, Greg Perkins and I hosted another live Rationally Selfish Webcast where I answered people’s questions on practical ethics and the principles of living well.

The live webcasts are held every Sunday at 8 am PT / 9 am MT / 10 am CT / 11 am ET. They consist of me broadcasting on video, Greg on audio, and the audience in a text chat. They’re quite a bit of fun, so please join us when your schedule permits!

As usual, an audio recording of Sunday’s live webcast is now available as a NoodleCast podcast. To get these podcasts automatically, you can subscribe to the feed in iTunes — just choose either the enhanced M4A format or the standard MP3 format. They’re the same content, but the M4A format breaks each question into its own “chapter.”

Whether you watch the live webcast or listen to the recorded podcast, you can submit and vote on questions on the widget on the page for the Rationally Selfish Webcast — or via Idea Informer. Questions and votes are much appreciated!

The Rationally Selfish Webcast (and Podcast) is available to anyone, free of charge. If you find value in it, I ask that you support our work by periodically contributing to our tip jar. We suggest $5 per episode, but any amount is appreciated.

If you would prefer to send a check, please send it to “Diana Hsieh; P.O. Box 851; Sedalia, CO 80135.” Please write “RS Webcast” in the memo field. If you’re unable to contribute financially, we’d appreciate your helping us spread the word about this webcast to anyone you think might be interested. You can, for example, “like” the Rationally Selfish Webcast Page on Facebook.

Webcast Segments

These segments are marked as chapters in the M4A version of this podcast. Any included links are those referenced in the podcast. (Many thanks to Tammy Perkins for helping me compile these notes!)

Introduction (0:00)

Diana Hsieh: DianaHsieh.com: diana@dianahsieh.com

Greg Perkins: Objectivist Answers: greg@eCosmos.com

Don’t forget to submit and vote on questions for upcoming webcasts!

Question 1: Hedonism (3:29)

What’s wrong with hedonism? What’s the difference between “rational selfishness” and hedonism? What’s wrong with attempting to maximize pleasure over the course of a whole life?

Money Point: Hedonism is purely subjective: it says that a person ought to pursue whatever he finds pleasurable. Rational egoism objective: it says that a person ought to pursue what actually promotes his life as a rational human being.

Question 2: Taking Drugs (14:20)

Which mind-altering or mood-altering substances are rational to take? (alcohol, caffeine, marijuana, etc.) And what principles do you apply in deciding?

Money Point: If you are seeking pleasure in the impairment of your body and mind, then it’s time to examine your life and your premises.

Question 3: Judging Mixed People (26:36)

How do you judge people of mixed premises? Many people are of “mixed” premises. How does one develop close and personal friendships or pursue long-term, serious, romantic relationships when many people are not consistently rational or moral? How does one judge such people objectively as to their worthiness for friendship or as a potential romantic interest?

Money Point: When judging mixed people, seek a clear understanding of what’s black and white in them, then determine whether and what kind of relationship with them will serve your values — if any.

Question 4: Romance with an Irrational Person (34:38)

Suppose you were a rational man in a relationship with a less rational woman, how would you handle your girlfriend’s ever-expanding irrational behavior?

Money Point: Irrationality in a lover is a killer of romance.

Question 5: Santa Claus as Myth or Real (38:33)

Is it moral to introduce the idea of Santa Claus to children — and why or why not? Some Objectivists say that introducing Santa or staying silent on the issue to let the child figure it out for himself constitutes deception and lying. Others say it’s a playful and fun game with Santa as a hero standing for justice in a way kiddies can understand.

Links: Dear Virginia in the 21st Century by Greg Perkins

Money Point: The pleasure and value of Santa Claus lies in the meaning and richness of the stories about him, not in the delusion that he’s real.

Question 6: OA: Speaking Out (48:17)

From Objectivist Answers: Under what circumstances does it become incumbent to challenge another’s beliefs, especially in a religious context?

Money Point: Focus on taking responsibility for your own beliefs and actions. Don’t assume responsibility for what others think and do.

Conclusion (58:02)

Diana Hsieh: DianaHsieh.com: diana@dianahsieh.com

Greg Perkins: Objectivist Answers: greg@eCosmos.com

Don’t forget to submit and vote on questions. And if you can, please contribute to our tip jar.

The video for the webcast is only available for those attending live. After the webcast is completed, you can listen, download, or subscribe to the audio podcast.