I broadcast a new episode of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday, 16 December 2012, answering questions on right to work laws, deception in a crisis, philosophy versus psychology, the value of gift exchanges, and more. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers was the episode’s co-host.

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The Whole Episode: 16 December 2012

My News of the Week: I’ve made good progress on preparing my dissertation for publication, including getting a proper headshot done. Of course, I’m still dealing with the multiple leaks, mold, and rotting wood Chez Hsieh.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 1:11:22
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (17.3 MB)
• Download: Standard MP3 File (16.4 MB)

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

Question 1: Right to Work Laws (4:15)

In this segment, I answered a question on right to work laws.

Do “right to work” laws violate or protect rights? Some states are attempting to pass “right to work” laws, despite massive union opposition. Under such laws, employers cannot require employees to be a member of a union – as often happens due to federal law. These laws aim to empower employees against unwelcome unions. Are these laws legitimate – perhaps as defense against unjust federal law or a step toward freedom of contract? Or are they indefensible because they violate the rights of employers to dictate the terms of employment?

My Answer, In Brief: Right to Work Laws sound like an excellent way to combat the coercive powers granted to unions by federal law. Yet in fact, one rights violation cannot be fixed by another rights violation. Even worse, such laws will help entrench the dangerous principle that employment terms can be overridden by freedom of conscience.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 25:50
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags: Activism, Business, Contracts, Ethics, Free Society, Government, History, Law, Rights, Unions, Work

Relevant Links:

• Wikipedia: Right to Work Law, National Labor Relations or Wagner Act, and Taft-Hartley Act
• The Objective Standard: There is No ‘Right to Work’ Against an Employer’s Consent by Ari Armstrong
• Right-To-Work Laws and the Modern Classical-Liberal Tradition by Sheldon Richman
• KevinMD: A physician takes his flu vaccine under protest by Dr. Doug McGuff
• Politics Without God: Muslims and Sikhs Show Arrogant Disdain for Patient Safety by Gina Liggett

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

Question 2: Deception in a Crisis (30:05)

In this segment, I answered a question on deception in a crisis.

Is it moral to deceive to someone to help him through a crisis? Imagine that a man is about to break up with his girlfriend (or divorce his wife), but then he discovers that she has a serious disease or she suffers a serious accident. Is it moral for him to help her through the crisis under the false pretense of a stable, loving relationship? (What if that would take months of deception?) Or should the man be frank with the woman as soon as possible about parting ways, perhaps only offering help as a friend, if that? Would that be cruel?

My Answer, In Brief: A person might reasonably delay a break-up for a week or two during a crisis, but to pretend to be the devoted boyfriend is destructive to him and her.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 9:40
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags: Character, Communication, Emergencies, Ethics, Honesty, Relationships, Romance

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

Question 3: Philosophy Versus Psychology (39:45)

In this segment, I answered a question on philosophy versus psychology.

What’s the proper distinction between philosophy and psychology? Given that psychology concerns the mind, I don’t see how to clearly distinguish it from philosophy. For example, when would emotions be a philosophic concern versus a psychological concern? In other words, where is the dividing line between philosophy and psychology? Can they be separated?

My Answer, In Brief: Philosophy differs from psychology in that philosophy is primarily concerned with the mind’s conscious mental processes, while psychology is more focused on subconscious processes and their effect on conscious processes.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 13:56
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags: Emotions, Mind, Philosophy, Psychology, Science, Subconscious

Relevant Links:

• Wikipedia: Subfields of Psychology

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

Question 4: The Value of Gift Exchanges (53:42)

In this segment, I answered a question on the value of gift exchanges.

What is the purpose of exchanging gifts during the holidays? To me, gift exchanges seem meaningless: they’re a waste of time and money. What am I missing?

My Answer, In Brief: The practicing of gift exchange can be deeply meaningful, as a way of revealing your knowledge and affection for another person, as well as integrating your lives. If instead you’re feeling burdened and unseen, then it’s time to change your practices.

Listen or Download:

• Duration: 11:28
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags: Communication, Family, Gifts, Holidays, Honesty, Psychological Visibility, Relationships

Relevant Links:

• Philosophy in Action: Five Love Languages

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

Rapid Fire Questions (1:05:10)

In this segment, I answered questions impromptu. The questions were:

• What do you think about the debates about gun control spawned by Friday’s shooting about the Connecticut elementary school?
• What do you think about Elf on the Shelf?

• Duration: 4:03
• Download: MP3 Segment

To comment on these questions or my answers, visit its comment thread.

Conclusion (1:09:14)

Thank you for joining us for this episode! Support
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