Sep 052011
 

On Sunday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, Greg Perkins and I answered questions on common mistakes with parents, severing ties with one’s parents, enablers of destructive siblings, filial responsibility laws, and more. The podcast of that episode is now available for streaming or downloading.

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Whole Podcast: 4 September 2011

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Podcast Segments: 4 September 2011

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

Introduction

My News of the Week: This weekend, I was supposed to speak at the Chicago Objectivist Society’s Weekend Conference, but that was cancelled at the last minute due to Paul’s hip dislocation and fracture.

Question 1: Common Mistakes with Parents

Question: What are some common mistakes that adults make in dealing with their parents? Why do they make those mistakes? And how can they do better?

My Answer, In Brief: Accept your parents for who they are, flaws and all. Don’t compromise on your values under pressure. Don’t fall back into your childhood patterns.

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

Question 2: Severing Ties with One’s Parents

Question: When should a person maintain a relationship with his parents – or not? When, if ever, should an adult child distance himself from his parents – or cut them off completely? Does it matter if the parent was awful years ago, but since then, he’s seemed to reform his ways?

My Answer, In Brief: If a parent does a serious-enough wrong, such that mutually beneficial relationship is impossible, then an adult child can and should sever ties.

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

Question 3: Enablers of Destructive Siblings

Question: What should a person do with destructive family members and their enablers? One of my brothers, diagnosed with a mental illness, is causing serious problems for my parents. My parents invited my brother to live with them. This brother is 26 years old, he does not hold a steady job, and he has been emotionally abusive and physically violent with my parents. At this point, my parents will not kick him out for fear of being hurt. I don’t live at home, but I’m deeply worried for my parents. What should I do?

My Answer, In Brief: You can’t force your parents to see the facts of the situation, but you might be able to help them. Get legal advice!

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

Question 4: Filial Responsibility Laws

Question: How should a person deal with filial responsibility laws? In your April 10th webcast, you discussed the morality of taking care of elderly parents. Some states have filial responsibility laws, which would force people to take care of indigent elderly parents. How should a person would cope with such laws in practice?

My Answer, In Brief: If this might be a problem for you, consult a lawyer to find out whether and how you can protect yourself!

Listen or Download:

Links:

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

Rapid Fire Questions

Questions:

  • How should you respond to religious in-laws who repeatedly comment that you are going to hell, and they are unable to be civil towards you?
  • Should you cut ties with a parent who is a flaming communist/socialist?
  • Is it moral to take government work (as a contractor) if on projects you don’t think the government should do?
  • Do you support ideological restrictions (e.g. Islam) on immigration as some conservatives want on national security grounds?
  • What should a person do if sexually assaulted by a TSA worker?
  • What was the cause of the media obsession with the Casey Anthony trial?
  • Is it wrong to be attracted to unhealthy physical characteristics, like fat people?
  • Would you want to live in a society where people routinely armed themselves?
  • Why carry a concealed weapon, rather than carry openly?

Listen or Download:

  • Start Time: 41:17
  • Duration: 18:42
  • 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: 1:00:00


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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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