On Sunday, I hosted another live Rationally Selfish Webcast where I answered questions from viewers 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. The webcast consists of me broadcasting on video, Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers on audio, and the audience in a text chat.
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.”
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The Video
The full video for the webcast is only available to live attendees. However, you can now listen and/or download the audio podcast. You can also watch the video from my favorite question here:
The Podcast
Listen Now
- Duration: 1:00:00
Download the Episode
- Download the Enhanced M4A File (28.3 MB)
- Download the Standard MP3 File (27.5 MB)
Subscribe to the Feed
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In This Episode
The following segments are marked as chapters in the M4A version of the podcast. Thanks to Tammy Perkins for helping compile the show notes!
Introduction (0:00)
Current Projects:
- On Tuesday, I hope to put a dent in Colorado’s campaign finance laws.
- I’m still working on my updates to Explore Atlas Shrugged.
Question 1: Open Minds (3:08)
When should a rational person be open-minded? Many people seem to have a mistaken idea of what it means to have an open mind. Where should a person draw the line between (a) listening to an opinion/idea and considering its value and (b) writing off the idea/opinion as hogwash?
My Answer, In Brief: A person needs an active, critical mind — not an open mind.
Links:
- “Philosophic Detection” by Ayn Rand Philosophy: Who Needs It
Question 2: Long-Distance Relationships (12:17)
What do you think of long-distance relationships? Do you see any dangers in long-distance relationships? Hasn’t the internet made such relationships nearly as good as living in the same city?
My Answer, In Brief: Long-distance relationships are a pale shadow of in-person relationships, because two people cannot integrate their lives long-distance.
Question 3: Peanut Bans (19:15)
Are peanut bans in schools immoral? In particular, do restrictions on certain types of food in schools (such as peanuts due to a known peanut allergy) infringe on the rights of the parents of the non-allergic kids to determine the type of diet their children follow? Are the parents of the non-allergic kids making an immoral sacrifice by following the ‘no-peanut’ rules? What about parents who choose to ignore the rule and send the food to school anyway? Would this scenario be any different in a private school versus a government school?
My Answer, In Brief: For school to ban peanuts due to serious allergy of student is morally right and proper, because it’s the most simple and effective means of eliminating a major risk to life and health of a kid in its care.
Question 4: Love at First Sight (31:53)
Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not?
My Answer, In Brief: Attraction and interest is possible at first sight, but not love, because love requires deep knowledge of a person and deep affinity based on fundamental values.
Question 5: Objectivist “Free State” Project (41:14)
Where is the best place in the country for an Objectivist to live? The Free State Project in New Hampshire is proving to be a success for libertarians; especially in the town of Keene. I wonder if there might be some potential for a critical mass of Objectivists along similar lines. Is this even worthwhile?
My Answer, In Brief: An Objectivist “Free State” Project would not be effective, nor selfish. Instead, every rationally selfish person should live in whatever location most suits his values.
Links:
Question 6: Objectivist Answers: Virtue as a Mean (47:43)
Is Aristotle’s concept of virtue as a mean between extremes of vices valid? In philosophy class my professor attributed the idea of the “Golden Mean” to Aristotle. I understand the concept, and I agree with the principle to some extent, but it still does not sit right with me somehow. (Perhaps the problem is the idea of moderation for moderation’s sake.) Is this idea valid as is, or is the essence right with a sloppy framework?
My Answer, In Brief: Aristotle’s doctrine of virtue as a mean is an attempt to make ethics objective. The theory is wrong, but not as wrong as the common doctrine of “moderation for moderation’s sake.”
Links:
- Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle
- Commentary on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics by Thomas Aquinas
- Aristotle as Ethicist by Greg Salmieri
- Aristotle’s Metaphysics and Aristotle and the Renaissance by Robert Mayhew
Conclusion (59:09)
Comments or questions? Contact us!
- Diana Hsieh: DianaHsieh.com: diana@RationallySelfish.com
- Greg Perkins: Objectivist Answers: greg@eCosmos.com
If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to contribute to our tip jar! Also, remember to submit and vote on questions in the the ongoing question queue!
