On Sunday, 5 February 2012, I broadcast a new episode of my live Philosophy in Action Webcast, where I answer questions on the application of rational principles to the challenges of living a virtuous, happy, and free life in a live, hour-long webcast. The webcast is broadcast live every Sunday morning at 8 am PT / 9 am MT / 10 am CT / 11 am ET. In the webcast, I broadcast on video, Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers is on audio, and the audience is in a text chat.
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The Podcast: Episode: 5 February 2012
Listen Now
Duration: 1:07:25
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The Segments: Episode: 5 February 2012
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)
I’ve been busy making plans for SnowCon 2012! E-mail me if you’d like to share accommodations.
Question 1: Overcoming Perfectionism (3:30)
What is the problem with and solution to perfectionism? Lately, I’ve realized that I might have a problem with “perfectionism” – meaning that I hold myself to unrealistically high standards in some areas of my life. For example, I feel like I should be much more productive, to the point of being unrealistic about what I can do in a day. What’s the basic error of such perfectionism? And what can I do to overcome it?
My Answer, In Brief: For a person to seek perfection, based on rational standards that take account of his particular context, is often good. Perfectionism, however, means doing so based on out-of-context or unrealistic standards of perfection. A person with perfectionist tendencies needs to identify them, then think and act consistently based on standards appropriate to his purpose – whether seeking perfection, good enough, or merely adequate.
Links:
- Ayn Rand’s Normative Ethics by Tara Smith, pg 236 to 243
Question 2: False But Beneficial Ideas (35:13)
Should you just keep quiet when a friend’s bad philosophy works for him? If someone you know pretty well believes in something mystical, such as “The Law of Attraction” (from “The Secret”), or “The Power of Prayer,” and this has helped them move their outlook on life toward a benevolent universe premise, and they are more productive and happier, is it better to leave them with their faulty metaphysics and avoid the topic, or should you try to show them the error? What do you say when they start trying to convince you of the truth of their view?
My Answer, In Brief: People in the grip of worse ideas are sometimes helped by less-bad ideas. If you’re both willing, you can discuss even better ideas with them. However, doing so is not obligatory.
Question 3: Possessiveness in Romance (46:46)
Is possessiveness wrong in a romantic relationship? I have a drawback: I’m extremely possessive. I expect that the person who loves and understands me – he being the only one who understands me – should be mine and only mine. I can accept other women in his life and contain my jealousy on the condition that he reveals to me every single of them who was, is, or will be. But he should love me the most. And I expect that he should stay with me till the end and that we spend the last days together reflecting on the past and life. Am I wrong in expecting all that from my partner? If so, what can I do to change?
My Answer, In Brief: To be possessive means treating your partner as an object to be controlled, rather than an independent individual who wants to share your life. For this depth of problem, therapy is the best option.
Links:
- NoodleFood: How to Find a Good Therapist by Diana Hsieh
Question 4: Term Limits for Politicians (54:58)
Are term limits necessary and proper for good government? Many people – usually conservatives – claim that term limits are essential to liberty. They say that the Founders never intended to have career politicians, and they blame the growth of government on those career politicians and their pork projects. Do you support term limits? Are they an important restraint on the growth of government?
My Answer, In Brief: Term limits might be part of the government of a free society, but they’re not a panacea.
Links:
- Wikipedia: Term Limits
Rapid Fire Questions (1:00:48)
In this segment, I answered a variety of questions off-the-cuff. The questions were:
- Should President Obama be defeated, at any cost?
- What’s wrong with going with your gut feelings?
Conclusion (1:06:20)
Comments or questions? Contact us!
- Diana Hsieh: Philosophy in Action: diana@philosophyinaction.com
- Greg Perkins: Objectivist Answers: greg@eCosmos.com
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