Philosophy In Action

Every Sunday morning, philosopher Dr. Diana Hsieh answers your questions on the principles for living a happy, virtuous, and free life in her live Philosophy In Action Webcast. It's at 8 am PT / 9 am MT / 10 am CT / 11 am ET at http://www.PhilosophyInAction.com. Submit your questions here!
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55 votes Vote

What are some (if any) better alternatives for criminal punishment than prison?

In your October 30, 2011 webcast, you mentioned that you think alternatives to prison should be considered in a free society. What do you think those alternatives might be? Why and how do you think they might be better than prison?
David McBride, 30.10.2011, 08:54
0 comments
52 votes Vote

Should the U.S. government forbid private businesses from trading with Iran?

On October 3rd, Bloomberg Markets Magazine published an article, "Koch Brothers Flout Law Getting Richer with Secret Iran Sales" on a Koch subsidiary legally selling selling equipment natural gas into ethanol to Iran's oil industry by doing it...
RandFan, 07.10.2011, 06:45
0 comments
51 votes Vote

Is "addiction" a valid concept?

Is there truly such a thing as addiction to a drug or chemical? I understand that taking drugs like heroin can change the physiology such that it's unpleasant to quit. But if a narcotic addict (or alcoholic) really wants to quit, it seems that...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 21:54
3 comments
49 votes Vote

Isn't 'moral luck' a self-contradictory term?

Paul Lin, 22.11.2010, 17:13
1 comment
42 votes Vote

Is it moral to smoke, drink, or eat unhealthy foods if one recognizes the costs of doing so?

Suppose a friend makes a deliberate decision to eat foods he know to be unhealthy (such as frequent sugary desserts). He knows that it might harm his health, but he says that the personal enjoyment and satisfaction outweigh the risk of shortened...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 21:36
0 comments
41 votes Vote

Is determinism related to intrinsicism?

I've read compelling arguments that authoritarianism comes from the philosophy of determinism. But, this raised a question in my mind about mysticism's connection to intrinsicism and, in turn, a possible connection to determinism. Religious...
Dave, 29.03.2011, 12:57
0 comments
33 votes Vote

How can I effectively counter Marxist economic arguments?

My family and friends often advocate Marxist economic ideas -- for example, that wealth should be redistributed according to need, that corporations and corporate profits are evil, and that rich people have too much money. How can I best respond...
Brandon Paumen, 22.11.2011, 12:00
0 comments
28 votes Vote

What works of Aristotle do you recommend reading?

As a layperson interested in philosophy, I'd like to educate myself on the philosophy of Aristotle. I'm particularly interested in developing a better understanding of epistemology and metaphysics. What works should I read, and where should I...
Selfmadesoul, 30.01.2012, 06:24
0 comments
26 votes Vote

How should intellectual property be protected abroad?

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is a poorly-thought, badly-implemented law due to its overarching government control over private property and privacy in general. However, the online piracy of intellectual property overseas, particularly in...
Pablo, 27.11.2011, 07:58
1 comment
26 votes Vote

Can people sexually attracted to children respect rights?

Suppose that a person is sexually attracted to children, but he does not wish to violate anyone's rights. How should he behave? Should he isolate himself from children? Should he attempt therapy or chemical castration? Do you think that...
Hanah, 28.11.2011, 13:43
0 comments
26 votes Vote

Can a central purpose be something other than a career?

In the February 12th, 2012 webcast, you answered a question about pursuing a career that one likes, but doesn't love. Your answer in brief: "A person's work should serve his life, and sometimes that means choosing the one career that you're wildly...
Tori, 19.02.2012, 13:17
1 comment
26 votes Vote

Is a sex offender registry just and proper?

When people are convicted of sex crimes, they often have to register as a sex offender and, as I understand it, depending on the crime, have to tell their neighbors that they are a sex offender. In some places, they are restricted from living...
Trey Peden, 21.02.2012, 09:42
0 comments
25 votes Vote

Is it moral to seek a "four hour work week"?

Is a four-hour (or otherwise very short) work week compatible with the idea that a person's productive work should be his central purpose? If a person is so productive that he is able to enjoy a great life by only working a few hours per week,...
Bryan, 09.09.2011, 11:03
1 comment
25 votes Vote

Are free nations obliged to stop genocide?

In World War II, should the Allies have made an effort to stop the holocaust as it was happening by directly interfering, e.g. by bombing the extermination facilities? More broadly, is there a moral obligation for free countries to stop mass...
Fabian Bollinger, 23.12.2011, 18:52
0 comments
25 votes Vote

Does repecting intellectual property require me to re-purchase my music collection lost due to hard drive failure?

Over the years I have purchased quite a bit of digital music and have built quite a large library. Recently, due to a computer crash and lack of backup, a large segment of that library was erased. Since I paid for all of the music that was lost, I...
Jay Stahl, 06.02.2012, 09:34
0 comments
24 votes Vote

Are military education benefits a proper function of government?

The military recruits in substantial part by offering to pay for the education of soldiers. Are these benefits proper compensation for volunteering in a risky career or not? Or should the government compensate soldiers in some other way?
Ryan, 12.10.2011, 11:04
0 comments
21 votes Vote

How can a person be certain of his own objectivity?

It's often difficult to stick to the facts in reasoning, and it's even harder to make sure that you're focused on all and only the relevant facts. How can a person know that he's being objective -- as opposed to relying on unwarranted...
Joel S, 01.12.2011, 20:52
0 comments
21 votes Vote

What is the moral line between respecting copyrights and fair use?

From a moral rather than legal perspective, what are the requirements to respect someone's right to their own work? For example if you have a movie on DVD is it moral to switch it to electronic form for your own use or should you buy the other...
Rose, 16.02.2012, 09:55
0 comments
20 votes Vote

Should children be protected by child labor laws?

Currently, federal and state governments restricts "child labor" in various ways. The US Department of Labor "restricts the hours that youth under 16 years of age can work and lists hazardous occupations too dangerous for young workers to...
Anonymous, 11.12.2011, 20:38
0 comments
20 votes Vote

Are child beauty pageants wrong?

The TLC show Toddlers and Tiaras is a reality show that follows child beauty pageant contestants and their parents around. The behavior on the show is frequently outrageous to a point where questions about parental responsibility and even abuse...
Trey Peden, 18.02.2012, 14:03
0 comments
19 votes Vote

Is it moral to post information on security flaws that can help criminals better commit crimes?

Some people publish information on how to pick locks or how to bypass computer password protection programs. Yes, sometimes this information might be used by good people to better protect themselves, but it's likely that criminals will use it to...
Anonymous, 01.08.2011, 10:22
0 comments
19 votes Vote

Is it morally wrong to 'root' or 'jailbreak' your own electronic devices ?

Maybe I'm just too stupid or lazy to read through all the legal-ese that comes with these devices, so I don't know whether technically a customer is contractually obligated not to do it. But I know that companies try to design their products so...
tomhall, 25.01.2012, 12:51
1 comment
19 votes Vote

Do adopted people have a right to know who their biological parents are?

This topic was raised on the Diane Rehm show this morning on NPR (1/26/12). Some adopted people want to know their biological parents, and knowing one's family medical history could be important to a person. So does a person have a right to know...
Tim Cheadle, 26.01.2012, 11:21
0 comments
19 votes Vote

What should the State's role be in dealing with abused children?

The State needs to remove children from homes where they're being abused--where their rights are being violated. But what does it then do with them? Does the State care for them until it can find a new home for them? How should it provide that...
Tom G Varik, 19.02.2012, 08:55
1 comment
18 votes Vote

Should we use an alternative voting system?

Does the current voting system make it too difficult for decent candidates to win? Right now, it seems that we end up with candidates who appeal to the hard core base of the major parties (such as anti-abortion Republicans or hard-left...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 15:34
0 comments
18 votes Vote

How important are a political candidate's views on abortion?

Why should we be worried about a political candidate's bad views on abortion if their views on other issues like economics are generally good? After all, someone like Herman Cain can't outlaw abortion even if he wanted to. But a good or bad...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 22:03
0 comments
18 votes Vote

How can I stop my spouse from sabotaging my self-improvement?

Over the course of my 15 years of marriage, I'd gained over 100 pounds. After feeling disgusted with myself for too long, I decided to change my habits. So I switched to a paleo-type diet and started lifting weights. So far, I've lost 40...
Anonymous, 14.11.2011, 12:36
1 comment
18 votes Vote

Is it a sacrifice for a soldier to fight for his country?

Most people regard fighting for one's country to be a glorious sacrifice. The soldier risks life and limb, but gets little in return. Assuming a proper government and a just war, is serving in the military a sacrifice? And if so, is that...
Anonymous, 07.12.2011, 08:33
0 comments
18 votes Vote

If cloning humans were possible, would it be wrong?

In your December 4th webcast, you said that the standard arguments against cloning people are not persuasive on closer examination. What are those arguments? Why are they wrong? If those arguments are unsuccessful, should we conclude that...
Anonymous, 06.12.2011, 15:54
0 comments
17 votes Vote

Is running prisons a legitimate function of government or should they be privatized?

Private prisons are a billion dollar industry here in the United States, but is that really something that should be left to private companies or should the government handle it? I heard a report on NPR on this topic and there are arguments about...
Trey, 05.11.2011, 15:09
0 comments
17 votes Vote

Isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder?

In your November 13th webcast discussion of aesthetic body modification, you rejected the idea that beauty is just a matter of personal taste or cultural norms. What's your view -- and why?
Anonymous, 14.11.2011, 12:43
1 comment
17 votes Vote

Is it wrong to root for anti-heroes in movies?

Is it immoral to enjoy watching (or root for) anti-heroes in movies? For example, is it wrong to like characters like Daniel Ocean (Ocean's 11, 12, etc.), Erik Draven (the Crow), “Mad” Max (duh), and Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry movies)?
anon, 08.01.2012, 11:16
0 comments
17 votes Vote

Is it moral or practical to vote for third-party candidates?

The Founders created a two-party political system. With features like geographic representation, first-past-the-post voting for Congress, and the Electoral College for voting for President, it is clear that the Founders wanted parties consisting...
Ed Powell, 10.01.2012, 20:19
2 comments
17 votes Vote

What's wrong with anarcho-capitalism?

Libertarian anarchists -- such as Murray Rothbard, Roy Childs, and Stefan Molyneux -- claim that anarcho-capitalism is the only political system compatible with the "non-aggression principle." Is that right? Must any government initiate force by...
markcoldren, 04.04.2012, 07:05
0 comments
16 votes Vote

Is corporal punishment of children ever proper?

The recent release of the video of Judge William Adams beating his daughter (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl9y3SIPt7o ) raises the question of whether it's ever necessary or proper to physically discipline children. Does the age of the...
Frank McKay, 02.11.2011, 16:00
0 comments
16 votes Vote

What is the moral way to wage war?

How do the principles of individual rights and justice apply to waging war? In particular, when would war be morally justified? And what are the proper moral limits on military tactics?
pabr0505, 23.11.2011, 09:26
0 comments
16 votes Vote

What is the proper role of government in adoption, if any?

Many religious people recoil at the notion of gay marriage due to its implications for adoption. They fear that the government will then allow gay couples to adopt on a broader scale. I suspect that the government is taking too great a role in...
Nate, 03.01.2012, 21:02
0 comments
16 votes Vote

What do you think of the "Five Love Languages"?

The basic idea of the "Five Love Languages" is that every person has "a primary way of expressing and interpreting love," and that "we all identify primarily with one of the five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts,...
Kelly Elmore, 21.01.2012, 14:16
0 comments
15 votes Vote

Should you warn others about vicious people in your community?

If you know a person to be dishonest, but that person is well-regarded in your community, should you tell others in that community what you know? Does it matter if the person is in a position of authority (perhaps over an organization's...
sara, 15.10.2011, 22:22
0 comments
14 votes Vote

How should a public school teacher discipline unruly students?

Since school attendance is mandatory, what is proper and moral way to handle discipline in class? I'm a Spanish teacher in public school, and I hate to threaten the unruly kids, but for the sake of students who are truly interested to learn...
Andrew , 24.04.2011, 08:25
1 comment
14 votes Vote

Why do businessmen attribute their successes or failures to luck?

In his bestseller "Good to Great," Jim Collins reports that corporate leaders attributed their results to luck (p. 33-5). Great companies had 'good luck', and their competitors had 'bad luck.' Why would leaders of comparable companies attribute...
JimWoods, 03.08.2011, 19:31
1 comment
14 votes Vote

Is there a right to die and/or a right to be killed?

Does a person have a right to die? If so, under what conditions? Moreover, does a person unable to kill himself (due to illness) have a right to be killed by a willing person?
Bear, 11.09.2011, 21:50
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Are my interests as a parent always aligned with the interests of my child?

I have a two-month-old daughter. She is of great value to me, so to protect and provide for her is in my self-interest. However, might our interests sometimes diverge? If so, should I give priority to her interests or mine?
Jassar, 29.09.2011, 19:22
0 comments
14 votes Vote

What is the proper role of deductive reasoning?

Is it proper, for example, to deduce the principles of intellectual property from the more general principles of individual rights? Or is that rationalism? More generally, when and how should a person use deduction? What is its relationship to...
eric maghan, 06.10.2011, 09:14
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Am I obliged to disclose that I am gay if I know that the person then wouldn't wish to do business with me?

Let's say that I have a job that I enjoy, but I find out that my boss does not like gay people and would refuse to hire or would fire anyone that she knew was gay. Somehow, she doesn't know that I am, in fact, gay. Should I tell her knowing that...
Trey, 05.11.2011, 15:03
0 comments
14 votes Vote

To what extent are voters responsible for the actions of politicians?

Suppose that a candidate announces his plans and actions for next term before the election. Are the people who vote for that candidate morally sanctioning and/or responsible for those actions, for better or worse? For example, you vote for a...
blunereid, 06.11.2011, 10:40
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Should former porn stars be hired as teachers?

Porn stars have been making headlines lately by pursuing efforts in education. Kevin Hogan was a high school crew coach who was forced to resign because of his past career in gay porn under the kitchy name Hytch Cawck. Sascha Grey caused a stir...
Trey, 01.12.2011, 05:42
0 comments
14 votes Vote

What's the best way to manage office politics?

In almost any job, the internal politics of the company can be overwhelming. If you speak out, you can be embroiled in conflict and drama. If you stay silent, the pushy people will have their way, often for the worse. What should a person do...
Joel S, 01.12.2011, 20:58
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Would an ideal government issue bans/regulations to prevent harmful activity?

At the turn of the 20th century it was common to use cyanide gas to fumigate buildings. Although it was well-known that cyanide gas was extremely poisonous and alternatives were available, its use continued and resulted in a number of accidental...
Trey Peden, 31.12.2011, 07:41
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Is a "social contract" the proper basis for government?

The idea of a "social contract" is often used to justify all kinds of government interventions for the so-called "greater good." What does it mean to say that society is founded on a social contract? What are the practical implications of that...
Kevin Douglas, 04.01.2012, 21:22
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Is it wrong to be friends with subordinates at work?

Work is a place where you have a certain contractual and moral obligation to the company you work for to put the company's interests ahead. With workplace friendships, particularly with subordinates, this can lead to problematic situations,...
Santiago Valenzuela, 12.04.2012, 10:17
0 comments
13 votes Vote

Are service professions second-handed?

The virtue of independence tells us that reality, not other people, should be our primary concern in life. Does that mean that a virtuous person could not be in a service profession, since that's focusing on satisfying people's needs, rather than...
Anonymous, 24.04.2011, 18:25
0 comments
13 votes Vote

Should advertising aimed at children be regulated?

Often I hear that advertising to children should be regulated by the government. Recently, several nutrition bloggers argued that the advertising of junk food to children should be banned because children are not old enough to understand the...
jd22, 28.07.2011, 10:40
0 comments
13 votes Vote

What's the best way to refute social-science-type arguments for egalitarianism?

The 2009 book "The Spirit Level" argues that income inequality has a broad range of negative effects on society. "It claims that for each of eleven different health and social problems: physical health, mental health, drug abuse, education,...
Rory, 24.10.2011, 16:08
0 comments
13 votes Vote

How can I identify my central purpose?

I understand the importance of a central purpose to organize my values and pursuits. However, I'm not sure how to identify what my central purpose is. Is it just my career -- or something broader than that?
Anonymous, 24.04.2012, 18:18
0 comments
13 votes Vote

Are smoking bans immoral?

Cities are banning smoking in private businesses like bars and even smoke shops. Are these bans immoral? Does second-hand smoke violate the rights of non-smoking patrons or employees? What should be the policy for government-owned property like...
Rose, 30.11.2011, 13:58
0 comments
13 votes Vote

Is free will merely an illusion?

While I dislike the idea that we're just puppets of physics and natural law, I wonder whether our seemingly "free'' decisions are actually determined by the combination of our biology and our environment. After all, if our brain is merely a...
nada, 01.12.2011, 08:06
1 comment
13 votes Vote

Is an age of sexual consent below the age of majority proper?

Most states in the US set the age of sexual consent at 16 years old. (Some set it at 17 and a few at 18.) At what age is freedom of sexual choice proper for minors? Also, most states have further laws to prevent abuses of power, i.e. between...
Isaac, 09.12.2011, 16:07
0 comments
13 votes Vote

What's the proper distinction between philosophy and psychology, if any?

Given that psychology concerns the mind, I don't see how to clearly distinguish it from philosophy. For example, when would emotions be of philosophic versus a psychological concern? In other words, where is the dividing line between philosophy...
Sophie, 10.12.2011, 13:49
0 comments
13 votes Vote

Should people with severe genetic diseases take active measures to prevent passing the disease to their children?

Some people have severe hereditary diseases -- such as Huntington's or Multiple Sclerosis -- that might be passed on to their biological children. If that happens, the child will be burdened with the disease later in life, perhaps suffering for...
Ryan Bell, 16.01.2012, 12:04
0 comments
13 votes Vote

Should I try to be more like Hank Rearden?

After reading Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, I've come to an important conclusion: I want to be more like Hank Rearden. What tips would you offer to someone desiring to be so awesome?
Brandon Paumen, 09.02.2012, 11:45
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Is it proper for state or local government to enact laws that a federal government should not?

A proper government is one that fulfills and is limited to the role of protecting citizens from initiations of force by other individuals or other nations. However, in a free and proper society, is it proper for local and state governments to...
Heather Schwarz, 05.11.2011, 20:24
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Can parenting can be a central purpose in life?

Many people think that only a career can serve as a person's central purpose. They think that a central purpose must be remunerative, and that it can't be merely temporary. Is that right? Can parenting be a person's central purpose, even if...
Kelly Valenzuela, 24.04.2012, 19:13
2 comments
12 votes Vote

Is it wrong for an atheist to patronize religious businesses?

Is it an endorsement of religion or failure of integrity for an atheist to buy goods or services from a religious business, such hiring an explicitly religious (and advertised as such) plumber or joining the local YMCA?
scryer, 16.11.2011, 04:52
0 comments
12 votes Vote

How can a proper government be ideologically neutral if based on an ideology of individual rights?

A proper government should not have a position on specific ideas such as communism, Christianity, or Objectivism. It should not promote or suppress any ideology. However, a proper government is also necessarily based on a specific set of ideas,...
gidreich, 21.11.2011, 13:08
0 comments
12 votes Vote

How do government controls encourage short-range thinking in business?

In your discussion of the principle of sustainability in the December 4th webcast, you said that government controls encourage people to think short-range -- to grab what they can and run with it -- including in business. Why is that? What are...
Anonymous, 07.12.2011, 10:28
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Does a person deserve extra moral praise for acting rightly despite strong contrary emotions?

How does overcoming strong emotions in order to do the right thing (or refrain from doing the wrong thing) factor into morally judging a person? If person A has no emotional conflict and thus does the right thing more or less "effortlessly," while...
Michael Mansberg, 18.12.2011, 19:40
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Is it wrong to manipulate a dishonest person into honoring his promises?

A friend of mine bought tires from [REDACTED] and purchased the additional road hazard coverage. Road hazard coverage says that [REDACTED] will repair the tire if it loses pressure due to driving over some hazard. If the tire is too damaged to...
Trey Peden, 09.01.2012, 19:25
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Is it moral to choose to live in a socialist country?

A person might move to England to study at a conservatory or move to China for a job. Would it be moral to do that -- meaning, to move to a socialist country and make use their government institutions? Would there be some kind of obligation to...
Dylan Baker, 01.02.2012, 15:32
0 comments
11 votes Vote

Should a life-loving person always wish to live longer?

Suppose that a person was offered some medical therapy that would extend his life by 10 or 20 years, while preserving or even improving health. Would a life-loving person always choose to do that, assuming that he could afford it? Would refusing...
Anonymous, 22.08.2011, 12:23
0 comments
11 votes Vote

How can I stay out of conflicts between family members?

When two people you love have competing claims about the facts in a conflict between them, how do not imply that one or the other is lying? My daughter said she told my wife something important. My wife said my daughter didn't say anything about...
Michael Goff, 19.10.2011, 13:51
0 comments
11 votes Vote

What's wrong with anti-discrimination laws?

Most people support anti-discrimination laws, even though such laws violate the freedom of association. Have such laws done genuine good by making racism, sexism, and homophobia unacceptable in the culture? Have such laws had negative...
Anonymous, 24.10.2011, 09:57
0 comments
11 votes Vote

Are laws against sexual harassment proper?

In light of the current slew of accusations of sexual harassment against Herman Cain, are sexual harassment laws proper? We already have laws against sexual assault and sexual battery, so do sexual harassment laws protect or violate rights?...
Dale, 09.11.2011, 13:44
0 comments
11 votes Vote

Is it wrong to con jerks and blowhards?

I know that dishonesty is wrong, but conning jerks and blowhards out of their money (e.g., http://ragecollection.com/20653 ) seems like justice at its best. So is it wrong?
Kyle, 27.11.2011, 22:57
0 comments
11 votes Vote

Is elective abortion morally wrong?

Some conservatives support abortion in the cases of rape or incest, as well as in cases of serious medical problems with the fetus or the pregnancy. However, they regard the termination of a normal, healthy pregnancy as morally wrong,...
Anonymous, 15.01.2012, 18:08
0 comments
11 votes Vote

Is "gay marriage" really a kind of marriage?

Many people support civil unions for gays, but they think that such unions shouldn't be called marriage. Usually, they claim that marriage is essentially religious, that procreation is central to marriage, or that marriage concerns a man and a...
Anonymous, 20.01.2012, 12:48
1 comment
10 votes Vote

What's morally right or wrong about adverse possession laws?

Adverse possession laws essentially state that if you make a good faith effort to find the owner of a property but are unable to do so, then "conspicuously and openly" occupy the home for a period of time, you can take possession of the property....
Santiago J Valenzuela, 01.08.2011, 12:19
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Can a person's central purpose change over the course of his life?

Many people think that a person's central purpose shouldn't change with time. Hence, they say that parenting, hobbies, and other activities outside of one's career cannot serve as a central purpose. But I think that a central purpose can change,...
Kelly Valenzuela, 24.04.2012, 19:13
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Why do so many cultural commentaries condemn the evil rather than praise the good?

The virtue of justice, properly understood, means that praising good is more important than condemning evil. As Leonard Peikoff says in Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, "The conventional view is that justice consists primarily in...
tomhall, 20.11.2011, 09:43
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Given the terrible state of the economy and culture, is it wrong to pursue optional values?

Shouldn't we all be working full time at counteracting the terrible ideas that run rampant in our culture? Is time taken away from "the good fight" in pursuit of other activities merely a useless distraction, counterproductive, and possibly...
Jenn Casey, 22.11.2011, 16:46
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Is it moral to deceive to someone to help him or her 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...
Evil Eye (Michael), 31.01.2012, 08:07
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Do libel and slander laws violate or protect rights?

Every few weeks, the media reports on some notable (or absurd) defamation case -- meaning a claim of "false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel." While a person's reputation as a business or person is...
Tim Cheadle, 25.01.2012, 08:13
1 comment
10 votes Vote

Is it true that, "if you cheat on your wife, you'll cheat on your business partner"?

A GOP presidential candidate recently of Newt Gingrich, "if you cheat on your wife, you'll cheat on your business partner." Leaving aside the specifics of any particular politician's personal life, is the broader principle accurate? If you knew...
Anonymous, 29.01.2012, 09:57
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Is time for recreation compatible with the virtue of productiveness?

If productive work is the means by which I achieve my values, how can one justify spending even one minute doing something that doesn't propel me toward some value? I am specifically referring to leisure activities like going to the movies,...
Jason, 13.02.2012, 06:22
0 comments
10 votes Vote

By what methods should government execute criminals condemned to death?

Setting aside questions about the proper standards of proof for the death penalty, what methods should or should not be used to execute people? How should the body be disposed of? Should the organs be used for transplant?
Tjitze de Boer, 09.03.2012, 10:00
0 comments
10 votes Vote

It is wrong to inflict second-hand smoke on other people?

Although smoking is detrimental to a person's health, whether or not someone smokes is (or should be) a matter of his personal choice. However, what is the proper moral and legal status of "second-hand smoke"? If second-hand smoke contributes to...
Merry, 09.03.2012, 10:26
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Should I spend time with a friend and her husband if I can't stand him?

A friend of mine is married to a man with the same views of love and marriage as Jim Taggart. He is of no value to me, and I hate being in his presence. My friend invites me to spend time with the two of them and other friends of hers. Should I...
Woodchuck333, 09.03.2012, 03:22
0 comments
10 votes Vote

How can a person learn to take criticism well?

Some people don't take kindly to criticism, even if offered in a benevolent and constructive way. Why are some people intolerant of criticism? Why is that a problem? How can such people learn to take criticism better? How can others deal with...
Anonymous, 26.03.2012, 13:55
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Should I mention we are atheists when interviewing babysitters?

I am looking for a babysitter. The question is how do I handle the fact that many of the candidates will be very very strong Christians? Should I bring up the fact we are atheists right away or would that be creating an issue when there could be...
Rose Wiegley, 08.04.2012, 14:21
0 comments
9 votes Vote

How does an aspiring writer avoid recycling the words of other writers?

I am an aspiring writer. Sometimes, the line between drawing ideas or inspiration from another writer and merely copying their formulations isn't clear to me -- particularly since I'm writing in Dutch. What would you suggest?
Yernaz Ramautarsing, 28.09.2011, 02:56
0 comments
9 votes Vote

Should I participate in "mixed bag" projects that might clash with my values?

Some time ago, I was asked by my school to consider taking part in an "ethics" commission, which was supposed to outline whether and how "ethics" might be introduced to the curriculum. It was either going to be a separate class, or, more likely,...
Fabian Bollinger, 22.11.2011, 07:32
0 comments
9 votes Vote

Should sports leagues bar athletes from using performance-enhancing drugs?

Periodically, sports leagues are rocked by the scandal of discovering that some athletes are systematically using performance-enhancing drugs like steroids or HGH. Should such substances be banned -- perhaps because they confer and unfair...
Anonymous, 01.12.2011, 11:18
0 comments
9 votes Vote

Is faith compatible with reason?

Many people claim that their Christian faith is compatible with science and reason. Why do they say that? Are they wrong? How should a person fully committed to reason reply?
Anonymous, 31.01.2012, 09:58
1 comment
9 votes Vote

Is it wrong to accept Social Security disability benefits when I could work?

I'm blind. Although I can work, my recent job at the IRS seemed to be so soul-draining and vexing that I determined to look elsewhere for employment. However, jobs are limited right now, and I am not sure what else I want to do at this point....
Anonymous, 03.02.2012, 21:24
-1 comment
9 votes Vote

What should we do if the Supreme Court upholds ObamaCare?

The Supreme Court of the United States will be determining the constitutionality of ObamaCare in a matter of weeks. While it is likely that at least part of it will be struck down, the court might uphold some or all of it. If that happens, what...
pabr0505, 20.03.2012, 12:44
1 comment
9 votes Vote

Are "stand your ground" self-defense laws proper?

Should a potential crime victim in reasonable fear of of his life be required to attempt to withdraw from a confrontation when possible? Or is it proper to allow him to "stand his ground" and use a firearm to kill the assailant?
Anonymous, 25.03.2012, 09:50
2 comments
8 votes Vote

Should a person contribute to animal rights or animal welfare organizations?

Is it morally right or wrong to give money to animal rights groups, animal welfare groups, and pro-vegetarianism or pro-veganism groups? Is it morally right or wrong to be friends with people who support such groups given that they may be working...
anonymous, 07.09.2011, 13:42
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Is John Rawls' argument for egalitarianism based on the "veil of ignorance" objective?

In his seminal book "A Theory of Justice," political philosopher John Rawls argues for an egalitarian welfare state in which inequality is only permitted if of benefit to the least well-off person. He claims that everyone would agree to this...
Anonymous, 01.12.2011, 11:25
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Are companies moral responsible for the working conditions of their suppliers?

Apple has been criticized for the working conditions at some of the factories of its supplier, Foxconn in Shenzhen, China. A number of columnists and activists call for the company to take specific action to fix the problem. (See...
KPOM, 29.01.2012, 07:22
0 comments
8 votes Vote

When and how should I express my frustration to another person?

I've always found it difficult to determine whether I should express a frustration to another person, whether in a personal or professional context. When and how should I tell someone that they've disrespected, offended, or insulted me? Does the...
Jack Frake , 02.02.2012, 16:59
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Am I responsible for the actions of my friends?

Suppose that a friend of mine does something that others find objectionable. Am I obliged to state my opinion of what my friend did? If I refuse to state an opinion, should others assume that I endorse my friend's actions? In general, should we...
Anonymous, 06.04.2012, 10:48
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Shouldn't freedom be "free"?

I often hear the bromide "freedom isn't free," or some variation of it, such as, "there's a price for freedom." But isn't freedom actually free? A person acts by right in pursuing his own life and happiness, and criminals do not have any right to...
Jason, 26.02.2012, 11:31
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Is it wrong for an atheist to work for a faith-based organization?

If a company is based on and promotes a certain religion, should atheists (and others with opposed religious views) forgo working there? For example, suppose that a person works at a Christian university, one that explicitly promotes Christianity...
Michael Sweet, 28.02.2012, 22:33
0 comments
8 votes Vote

What's the difference between acting on emotions and acting out emotions?

Emotions sometimes cry out for bodily expression, such as hitting something when you're angry. Is "acting out emotions" in that way a form of emotionalism? How is it different, if at all, from acting on emotions?
Patrik, 06.03.2012, 11:19
0 comments
8 votes Vote

What counts as art?

Ayn Rand defined art as "a selective re-creation of reality according to an artist’s metaphysical value-judgments." What does that mean? If art is a selective re-creation of reality, does that mean that anything can be art -- such as a shoe or...
Tjitze de Boer, 15.03.2012, 05:07
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Should I keep up with current affairs?

As we know, most reporting is pretty bad. In print, and especially on the rolling 24-hour news channels. It's myopic, biased, and lacking in any principled coverage. The reporters are just clueless, and are like children pointing at all the...
Rory, 14.04.2012, 07:01
0 comments
8 votes Vote

When is it moral to resist police action?

The governor of Indiana recently signed a bill into law granting protection to citizens that resist the unlawful actions of a public servant. (See...
Justin Blackman, 24.03.2012, 13:31
0 comments
8 votes Vote

What should you do when your allies are exposed as hypocrites?

Just because a person advocates good ideas doesn't mean that he practices them. For example, a defender of free markets might use zoning laws to prevent the construction of a new building on land adjacent to his home, an advocate of justice and...
Anonymous, 02.04.2012, 20:21
0 comments
7 votes Vote

Doesn't everyone need to have faith in something greater than themselves?

Most people have faith in something greater than themselves -- whether God, their community, the state, the environment. Doesn't everyone need that, to help steer them in life? Or do you think that's unnecessary or even wrong?
Anonymous, 24.10.2011, 10:06
0 comments
7 votes Vote

Are arranged marriages legally valid?

A coworker of mine in his early 20s grew up in India. His parents have arranged his marriage to a young woman who also now lives in the US. He appreciates that his parents selected a wife for him: he doesn't want to spend the time or take the...
tomhall, 20.11.2011, 07:44
0 comments
7 votes Vote

What's the relationship between free will and moral responsibility?

To me, the concept of free will found in debates about determinism seems different than the concept of free will relevant to questions of moral responsibility. The former is a metaphysical concept, and a person either has free will or not. The...
Michael Mansberg, 23.11.2011, 13:51
1 comment
7 votes Vote

Should corporations give to charity?

In Your Jan 8th webcast, you suggested that much charitable giving from corporations is misguided. How so? What kinds of charities should corporations contribute to, if any? Why?
Anonymous, 08.01.2012, 10:51
0 comments
7 votes Vote

Is it wrong to skip over advertisements?

Many people use plug-ins that block advertisements on web sites, and many more people skip advertisements on television by recording shows with the DVR. Is this moral? Is it a failure to act as a trader?
Graeme, 17.01.2012, 15:44
0 comments
7 votes Vote

Do "right to work" laws violate or protect rights?

Indiana recently became the 23rd "Right to Work" state in the US. This means that employers cannot require employees to be a member of a union. According to Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-to-work_law ): "Prior to the passage of...
Trey Peden, 26.01.2012, 18:13
2 comments
7 votes Vote

Should an employer have to explain and justify his firing of an employee?

Should an employer be able to fire an employee for some alleged misconduct, even though the employer never bothered to verify the misconduct, nor even asked the employee for his side of the story? For example, suppose that when the employee shows...
Denis Gotlib, 27.01.2012, 09:44
2 comments
7 votes Vote

Is it moral to circumvent crony capitalism by purchasing drugs abroad?

In 2006, the FDA begin banning pharmaceuticals that have been in use for decades, and sometime, centuries. For instance, the use of Quinine for nocturnal leg cramps is banned and only a prescription version is now available. The FDA is also...
c andrew, 11.02.2012, 13:44
0 comments
7 votes Vote

How can I prevent information overload?

What are some good ways to limit the amount of information I process in the age of the internet? Besides Philosophy in Action, I follow several other podcasts, blogs and news feeds. What's the best way to prioritize and limit my inputs without...
Ryan, 12.02.2012, 15:38
0 comments
7 votes Vote

What is the difference between "investment" and "sacrifice"?

In your February 26, 2012 webcast, you indicated that you don't regard sacrifices as something very different from investments. But doesn't sacrifice just mean giving up something? In that case, don't investments in the future require sacrifice...
Silvia Hayakawa, 28.02.2012, 09:00
1 comment
7 votes Vote

Should Sharia Finance be banned by law?

Sharia Finance -- meaning, investments that specifically conform with Islamic law -- are growing in popularity and have been adopted by major financial companies like Citi. Should these private businesses be legally permitted to offer whatever...
Anonymous, 04.03.2012, 21:44
0 comments
7 votes Vote

Is consensual incest between adults morally wrong?

Should it be outlawed? Also, what's the root problem -- genetics, family relationships, or something else?
Hanah, 08.04.2012, 12:55
0 comments
7 votes Vote

Is consuming celebrity news self-destructive?

Is there anything wrong with being interested in celebrities and entertainment news? Does "celebrity culture" foster bad values in people?
Hanah, 08.04.2012, 12:56
0 comments
7 votes Vote

How should a person respond to another's irrational discussion tactics?

What should one do when engaged in an intellectual conversation with someone where you're trying to advance your ideas, but the other person has irrational, or even outright dishonest conversation techniques? Such techniques include frequent...
Benpercent, 18.04.2012, 13:09
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Should a waitress upsell a customer without warning when given an ambiguous order?

At the restaurant where I work, we sell wine. Customers often ask for "just a red/white wine, whatever." Many servers take that as an opportunity to sell them the most expensive wine. Is that moral and/or wise? (Personally, if the customer gives...
Miranda, 21.08.2011, 11:46
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Why is self-interest moral?

I was raised to think that morality is a restraint on self-interest, so that we don't harm others by pursuing what we want. However, you seem to think that morality is nothing more than self-interest. Why? Do you think that it's moral to hurt...
Anonymous, 14.11.2011, 12:40
0 comments
6 votes Vote

What does it mean to say that "man is a rational animal"?

The fact that man is a rational animal distinguishes him from all other living entities and makes the whole of philosophy possible and necessary. But, taking a step back, what does it mean to say that man is a (or the) rational animal? What is...
Fabian Bollinger, 20.11.2011, 14:50
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Are there moral limits to romanticizing historical figures in art?

For example, a writer might romanticize Robin Hood as the Ragnar Danneskjöld of the Middle Ages. If this is proper, is there an ethical limit as to what kinds of persons one may or may not romanticize, or as to how far one may stretch the...
Fabian Bollinger, 05.12.2011, 14:39
0 comments
6 votes Vote

When would a free society go to war?

What would the attitude of a rights-respecting country be toward war? When would the country go to war -- or not? How would wars be funded and manned? Is isolationism or interventionism the proper approach?
Brandon Paumen, 27.01.2012, 11:13
0 comments
6 votes Vote

How would contracts be understood in a free society?

In a free society, what would be the basics of contract law be? What would count as a contract? What would constitute breach of contract? Could a person breach contract by accident, through no fault of his own, such as when a person is suddenly...
Fabian Bollinger, 04.02.2012, 14:25
0 comments
6 votes Vote

What would medicine be like in a free society?

Today, the business and practice of medicine is hugely regulated and controlled by the government. How would medicine change if the government fully respected rights? What would remain the same?
pabr0505, 20.03.2012, 13:02
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Should a person cultivate his powers of self-control?

What is self-control? Is strong capacity for self-control of value? Does self-control have a downside? Do some people have more natural self-control than others? How can a person develop more self-control?
Tammy Perkins, 25.03.2012, 09:10
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Do people have a right to "stabilizing medical care"?

EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act) is a federal law that requires ERs to stabilize any patient with an emergency medical condition, regardless of their ability to pay. Is that proper? Is that the same as a right to medical...
Cristendra Singh-Suwal, 27.03.2012, 18:29
1 comment
6 votes Vote

What is happiness?

When philosophers such as Aristotle, Mill, Kant and Ayn Rand speak of happiness, what do they mean? Is happiness just a fleeting sensation of pleasure? Or is it something more enduring and stable?
Anonymous, 02.04.2012, 20:31
0 comments
6 votes Vote

What's the moral status of government employees in a mixed economy?

In a free society, police officers and judges would be essential to the protection of rights. But in a mixed economy like ours, police officers and judges are required to uphold some immoral laws -- such as drug laws, antitrust laws, and...
Anonymous, 10.04.2012, 13:52
0 comments
6 votes Vote

What are the best strategies for dealing with weakness of will?

I want to go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier, and I know it would be a good thing to do, for reasons both of health and productivity. Yet I often have a problem with actually going to sleep before midnight. Things tempt me to stay awake, like...
Sascha, 04.05.2012, 06:16
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Are materialistic couples less likely to have a lasting relationship?

A recent study done by Brigham Young University claims to show that concern for money causes stress in a relationship and that people who love money tend to be more impersonal and less passionate towards their loved ones. (See:...
stephen fong, 14.10.2011, 17:50
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Does an egoistic ethics impose unchosen obligations?

People commonly think that morality imposes obligations on a person apart from his wishes or interests -- meaning, for example, that a person has "duty" of loyalty to his country such that he is morally obligated to serve in the military or pay...
Jim May, 15.10.2011, 21:14
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Is it moral to use the law to force someone to stop doing something that shouldn't be illegal?

Is it moral to make use of a law that shouldn't exist? For example, suppose you live in a condo and your next-door neighbor smokes marijuana. You're annoyed by the smell. On the one hand, it shouldn't be illegal for him to smoke up; on the other,...
Stella, 07.11.2011, 03:12
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Do "blue laws" violate rights?

Many communities have "blue laws" -- such as prohibitions on selling liquor, or even cars or other goods, on Sundays. Are these laws violations of the separation of church and state?
wind_river, 05.12.2011, 03:58
0 comments
5 votes Vote

How should a person respond when pressured to reveal private information?

Some people think themselves entitled to know about the private lives of their co-workers, acquaintances, family, or friends. They won't take a hint, and they might even demand the information in front of other people or in a public forum. How...
Anonymous, 24.04.2012, 18:48
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Should the government be permitted to invest funds in markets?

Although the government isn't a productive enterprise and acquires most of its revenues from taxation, it requires money to operate, like all institutions. Should the government should be permitted to invest its funds in markets, such as by...
James Verhoff, 13.01.2012, 10:10
1 comment
5 votes Vote

Are psychic powers bunk?

A friend convinced me to join him in visiting a psychic for a tarot card reading. Although I am opposed to mysticism, I didn't mind going and thought it would be funny. I was surprised to find this psychic knew things about me that (while vague)...
Anonymous, 19.01.2012, 15:55
1 comment
5 votes Vote

Should a person cultivate good luck or karma?

Is it useful for a person to seek to cultivate "good luck" or "karma" -- even if they don't exist -- because then the person would be acting purposefully toward his goals and acting justly toward other people? Can't wrong ideas sometimes be...
Brandon Paumen, 20.01.2012, 12:08
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Does individualistic egoism imply atomism and isolation?

Many critics of Ayn Rand argue that Objectivism's view of human nature is soul-less and love-less, leading to isolated atomistic individualism. Moreover, many on the left and the right claim that Objectivism denies the importance of family and...
B. Wasterman, 27.01.2012, 10:22
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Do you think it was wrong for Chris Brown to be awarded a Grammy?

Assuming his work in music warranted recognition, do you think Chris Brown should have been awarded a Grammy after pleading guilty to beating up Rihanna?
Trey Peden, 18.02.2012, 14:40
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Does ideological consistency lead to absurdities and wrongs?

Under "zero tolerance" policies, children have been suspended or expelled from schools for innocuous actions like drawing a picture of a gun. Advocates of free markets claim that a business owner has the right to discriminate against customers...
Sarah Jane Smith, 13.03.2012, 22:05
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Should baseball be exempt from antitrust law?

Currently, baseball is exempt from antitrust law. Given that antitrust law is a violation of rights, is that good or bad? More generally, are exemptions from bad laws always good?
pabr0505, 20.03.2012, 13:05
0 comments
5 votes Vote

What is an ultimate value?

What is each person's proper ultimate value? Why is that so? Is that ultimate value intrinsically satisfying? Does it give meaning to life? Also, how does that ultimate value affect a person's actions?
Kin Nicharesuk, 01.04.2012, 09:06
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Is the United States a Christian nation?

People often claim that the United States is "a Christian nation." What do people mean by that? Why does it matter? Is it true or not?
Anonymous, 02.04.2012, 20:03
1 comment
4 votes Vote

Should pensions to government employees be guaranteed?

Many cities and states are running into fiscal trouble and are reneging on promises to pay pensions to retired government employees, such as policemen. Should those promised payments be guaranteed, even if that means raising taxes or cutting back...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 15:44
0 comments
4 votes Vote

Should polluters pay damages for destroying the property of others?

By the trader principle, voluntary transactions ought to produce mutual benefit. However, what should happen when third parties are harmed, such as when pollution destroys another person's property? Should those polluters pay damages? If so,...
Declan, 10.01.2012, 18:18
0 comments
4 votes Vote

Do corporations have free speech rights?

Many leftists (including left-libertarians) are vehemently opposed to the "Citizens United" Supreme Court decision, which recognized that corporations have the right to speak in elections. Do corporations have rights? What would it mean for...
Anonymous, 20.01.2012, 12:42
0 comments
4 votes Vote

How should cheating in professional sports be handled?

Recently, the New Orleans Saints were heavily penalized for their defense's three-year "bounty program," which offered cash rewards for injuring players on opposing teams. (See...
pabr0505, 21.03.2012, 10:44
1 comment
3 votes Vote

Can a person choose an ultimate value other than his own life?

Ayn Rand claims that each person's life is his own ultimate value. Similarly, Aristotle says that each person's final end is his own flourishing (or happiness). Are they saying that a person cannot have another ultimate value or final end? Or...
Anonymous, 02.04.2012, 20:43
0 comments
3 votes Vote

When does humor work against my values?

Sometimes I wonder whether my jokes work against what I value. (For example, what's the most selfish sea creature? An Objectifish!) How do I draw the line?
Tjitze de Boer, 04.05.2012, 11:53
2 comments
2 votes Vote

Should the exclusionary rule be abolished?

"The exclusionary rule is a legal principle in the United States, under constitutional law, which holds that evidence collected or analyzed in violation of the defendant's constitutional rights is sometimes inadmissible for a criminal prosecution...
c andrew, 15.04.2012, 09:50
1 comment
2 votes Vote

What kind of work can a government properly delegate to private entities?

A government enforcement agency might decline to to pursue a criminal case for various reasons, such as lack of resources or the triviality of the crime. In other cases, a private individual or business might be better suited than the government...
shlevy, 15.04.2012, 10:36
0 comments
2 votes Vote

Are sex-selective abortions wrong?

In Canada, some hospitals refuse to tell prospective parents the sex of their fetus when discovered in a second-trimester ultrasound, because the members of many immigrant groups will selectively abort girls. Apparently, such sex-selective...
Heather, 04.05.2012, 13:38
0 comments
1 vote Vote

Is religion is necessary because otherwise people would be free to do evil?

Theists often argue that religion is the way that people's behavior can be governed. Without it people would be free to do as they wish. One statement of this idea is in The Brothers Karamozov--if God is dead then everything is permitted. Is...
Bill Perry, 17.12.2011, 07:57
1 comment
1 vote Vote

Is criticism of and opposition to religion a form of bigotry?

Wikipedia claims that a "bigot" is "a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one who exhibits intolerance and animosity toward members of a group," and that "bigotry may be directed towards...
bildanielson, 26.03.2012, 06:33
1 comment
1 vote Vote

What moral transgressions require us to take action?

It has always been my understanding that if someone initiates the use of force against someone we are morally obligated to act to mitigate that force--whether that be direct physical confrontation, destroying the aggressor's economic base, or...
James, 07.04.2012, 21:06
0 comments
1 vote Vote

What's wrong with multiculturalism?

Many people think that "multiculturalism" just means being tolerant of people with different cultural practices than your own. Is that right? What is multiculturalism? What are some examples of it? What's wrong with it, if anything?
Fabian Bollinger, 26.04.2012, 18:50
0 comments
1 vote Vote

Why does fiction arouse such a powerful emotional response?

Why are people moved emotionally by literature and movies, even though they know that they're fictional? Shouldn't people respond emotionally only to real events, not products of imagination? Is there a rational basis for our emotional response...
Dylan Baker, 01.05.2012, 11:49
0 comments
1 vote Vote

Should a person allow his ideology to set his default positions?

When people adopt a religion, philosophy, or politics as their own, they often don't think through every issue -- or they've not done so yet. Does accepting the various positions of that ideology as a kind of default amount to accepting them on...
pabr0505, 09.05.2012, 09:55
0 comments
1 vote Vote

What's the proper response to the dissolution of a friendship within a social group?

I loved your your May 6th, 2012 discussion of "unforgivable acts," and I have a follow-up question. Now -- after cutting my losses with a best friend, after years of giving second chances, talking with him repeatedly, and determining that there's...
Amy Nasir, 12.05.2012, 08:51
2 comments
0 votes Vote

Are the Ten Commandments of value to an atheist?

Are the Ten Commandments a useful guide to living a good life, even for people who are not Jewish or Christian? Can the religious background be removed? Should a rational person look to religious scriptures for ethical guidance?
pabr0505, 28.03.2012, 10:51
0 comments
0 votes Vote

How can a person improve his efficiency in writing?

How can a person measure and increase his efficiency in writing -- whether for blog posts, essays, papers, or anything else? Should a person set a goal of completing a given writing in a given time frame? Should he track time spent? Should he...
Dan Edge, 28.04.2012, 19:22
0 comments
0 votes Vote

What advice should I give to a friend considering breast implants?

A friend of mine is considering breast implants, purely for cosmetic reasons. In other words, she's not having reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy: she just wants larger breasts. Do you think that purely cosmetic breast implant surgery is...
Anonymous, Yesterday, 12:44
0 comments
55 votes Vote

How are causality and free will compatible?

If my mind is an effect of my brain, and my brain is a complex physical system which operates in a deterministic way, doesn't that mean that my thoughts and actions are ultimately determined, too? What is wrong with the popular notions of...
Matt S, 10.12.2010, 11:26
0 comments
55 votes Vote

Is sex without love or romance irrational?

Is it wrong to have sex with someone that you don't love -- or don't love yet? (Here, assume that the person isn't unworthy, but just that you're not in love.) Couldn't that be the start of romance? What if you don't have any intentions of...
Yernaz, 28.09.2011, 17:50
2 comments
51 votes Vote

Why did you get a PhD?

Given your recent comment about the pointlessness of much of modern college education, why did you get a PhD in philosophy? I ask because I have a PhD in a somewhat useless subject, but I am glad I got it, and it has proven useful in my...
Ed Powell , 24.12.2010, 20:19
0 comments
51 votes Vote

What's 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...
Anonymous, 13.06.2011, 09:14
0 comments
46 votes Vote

Is it immoral to pursue another individual's "significant other"?

2 parts: 1) Is it immoral to try to pursue or court another individual's romantic partner? 2) Would a rational person want to be with the individual who left their "other half" for the so-called "home-wrecker"?
David, 17.01.2011, 17:00
2 comments
43 votes Vote

Is it moral to have a sugarmomma or sugardaddy?

My fiancee and I both have demanding careers, but she earns several times more than I. How should a married couple with very different incomes share income and/or expenses? If we agree to split household expenses evenly, my lower income is a...
bscholl, 24.01.2011, 15:07
0 comments
43 votes Vote

What rights do severely mentally disabled people have?

If someone is mentally disabled to the extent that he or she will never be able to be rational and/or live independently, does that person have rights? Who should be financially responsible for the care of such people?
Hanah, 03.04.2011, 09:23
0 comments
42 votes Vote

Is it wrong to cheat a partly government funded institution?

There are a couple of classes I would enjoy sitting in on at my university. They are large, and I would not be noticed. Would it be wrong to go without paying for them? I wouldn't do this with a private college, nor would I have qualms about a...
Kelly Elmore, 18.12.2010, 12:45
0 comments
42 votes Vote

What is your opinion of evolutionary psychology?

Evolutionary psychology is an increasingly popular topic yet it seems loaded with determinism. Evolutionary psychologists will conduct studies, collect data and then assert a theory that almost always ignores volition and asserts subconscious...
Joseph DeSilva, 11.01.2011, 20:07
0 comments
42 votes Vote

What do people mean when they say "I liked Ayn Rand's ideas, but then I grew up"?

On several occasions, I have discussed Rand's ideas with others. They have admitted to reading Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead when a teenager. They claim that they liked or even agreed with her ideas back then. "But, now I've grown up." I...
SHathway, 01.04.2011, 10:20
1 comment
42 votes Vote

What does (or should) it mean for a person to be a citizen of country?

Suppose that America were a free country, with open borders. What would it mean for a person to be just a resident rather than a citizen? How would that affect a person's relationship to the government? How would a person (including someone...
Anonymous, 23.07.2011, 14:39
1 comment
41 votes Vote

Why are more men than women attracted to Objectivism?

Men seems to be more prevalent than women in Objectivist circles. Why is that? And does it matter?
anonymous, 08.04.2011, 14:11
0 comments
41 votes Vote

Should circumcision be banned?

Residents of San Francisco will soon vote on a ballot measure that would ban circumcision, except in cases of medical necessity. See: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/05/18/national/a130240D07.DTL Is circumcision of...
Anonymous, 22.05.2011, 14:53
1 comment
41 votes Vote

When is it moral to break the law?

Laws should be written to protect individual rights. Unfortunately, many laws today violate rights. When should I abide by a rights-violating law, and when is it proper to break it?
Kjetil Knausgård (from Norway), 10.11.2011, 07:56
0 comments
40 votes Vote

Is pirating music immoral? Why or why not?

In one way I think it must be immoral because it involves gaining the unearned, but there have been (granted I know little of the music industry) many claims that illegal file sharing has actually been good for the music industry in a number of...
Kyle Serrecchia, 04.01.2011, 13:27
2 comments
40 votes Vote

Is it moral to work for the IRS?

Is it morally wrong to work for government agencies like the IRS (or equivalent tax bureaus), IAS (Indian Administrative Services), or the EPA? I'm an advocate of free markets. Would I be a hypocrite to work for such illegitimate government...
Saketh Karavadi, 08.09.2011, 08:22
0 comments
40 votes Vote

What should I do if I have a good job but not a burning professional ambition?

I have a good job that pays well. I perform my job well to the best of my ability. But I don't feel about it the same way that Howard Roark felt about the field of architecture in "The Fountainhead" or that Dagny felt about the railroad business...
Anonymous , 05.11.2011, 21:44
0 comments
39 votes Vote

Would you recommend buying Nathaniel Branden's 'Vision of Ayn Rand' or not?

Given Nathaniel Branden's history of dishonest attacks on Ayn Rand and Objectivism, would you recommend that anyone buy his "Vision of Ayn Rand"? (That's the book version of his "Basic Principles of Objectivism" course.) I've thought about...
Formspring, 06.12.2010, 06:21
0 comments
39 votes Vote

What is the proper purpose of bankrupcy laws?

When should a person renegotiate his debt with lenders, if ever? Should a person be able to wipe his debt clean by going into bankruptcy? You've suggested that a person shouldn't be able to do that, but shouldn't lenders be responsible for who...
Anonymous, 12.07.2011, 11:13
0 comments
39 votes Vote

Are "friends with benefits" relationships a mistake?

It is moral and/or wise to pursue "friends with benefits" relationships -- where you have sex with a friend, but you're not in a romantic relationship? What are some of the benefits and/or pitfalls? If it's a mistake, what should a person do to...
Marc, 29.09.2011, 12:36
0 comments
38 votes Vote

Why do you think most women typically have disdain for men who are 'too nice'?

Anonymous, 03.01.2011, 07:03
0 comments
37 votes Vote

Is it moral to live as an Objectivist without being an activist?

Is it moral to live one's life to the best of one's ability based on objective principles, without becoming an activist for a rational morality and against the relativism so prevalent in society? Is it moral to be able to see what is wrong around...
SMacklin, 17.05.2011, 11:14
2 comments
37 votes Vote

Why is it "better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer"?

As of writing this, Troy Davis is on his way to be executed by the state of Georgia in spite of many serious doubts about his guilt. Would you care to comment as to why it is a greater injustice for an innocent man to be punished than a guilty man...
Trey Peden, 21.09.2011, 19:52
4 comments
36 votes Vote

Is it immoral to cheat on your taxes?

It's essentially a lie to protect the products of your labor.
Anonymous, 20.01.2011, 07:34
2 comments
36 votes Vote

Is it wrong to jokingly use the term "that's so gay" among friends?

I have many friends who are homosexual, and they and I and anyone I use this term with know there's nothing wrong with homosexuality. But sometimes this term does feel natural to use, even though I am not thinking about any negative association...
Rory, 20.01.2011, 12:30
0 comments
36 votes Vote

Is revenge ever moral?

There is a famous song that is performed by singer Carrie Underwood in which she describes trashing her boyfriend's truck after she finds out that he cheated on her. Is it ever moral to seek out revenge like this on someone who has lied to you or...
Anonymous, 29.03.2011, 13:02
1 comment
35 votes Vote

Would it be wrong to steal from a thief?

If an individual were placed in a position where they could steal from a con-man or a common burglar, and they did, would their decision to steal from a thief be moral or immoral and why?
Formspring, 06.12.2010, 06:08
0 comments
35 votes Vote

What's the difference between a good friendship and an emotional affair?

Where do you draw the line between having a good friendship and an "emotional affair"?
Anonymous, 23.01.2011, 16:12
0 comments
35 votes Vote

Can you give some art recommendations?

Specifically, what would say would be your 2-3 favorites in the following categories, and why? Fiction/literature Paintings/sculpture Music Movies/television
Anonymous, 01.03.2011, 10:47
0 comments
35 votes Vote

Should I recycle?

When I don't have to go out of my way to recycle--if both bins are right in front of me, say--should I? And what if I am sharing an apartment with someone who will fish recyclables out of the trash and put them in the recycling bin? Are there...
Anonymous, 21.03.2011, 16:37
5 comments
35 votes Vote

Did Ayn Rand draw inspiration from the serial-killer William Hickman?

My question comes from reading the article on Alternet: http://www.alternet.org/books/145819/ayn_rand,_hugely_popular_author_and_inspiration_to_right-wing_leaders,_was_a_big_admirer_of_serial_killers?page=1 To summarize the article, Rand...
Joe, 15.04.2011, 09:35
3 comments
35 votes Vote

Are "introversion" and "extroversion" valid as psychological types?

Sometimes, people classify themselves and others as "introverts" and "extroverts." What does that mean? Is the distinction valid and useful? Why or why not?
Anonymous, 10.08.2011, 08:56
0 comments
34 votes Vote

Should private citizens be legally obliged to keep government secrets?

Should it be a crime for private citizens to divulge "top secret" information? That is, if I have no specific security agreement or contract with the government to keep information confidential if I come to posess it through no fault of my own?...
Emily, 05.01.2011, 21:55
1 comment
34 votes Vote

Are "optional values" genuine values?

Sometimes Objectivists distinguish between "moral values" and "optional values." What does that mean? Is the distinction legitimate? How does it apply to real life?
Anonymous, 19.01.2011, 22:01
0 comments
34 votes Vote

Can men and women be "just friends"?

This is a follow-up to the discussion on infidelity from January 23rd. Where is the line crossed from friendship to something more intimate that would be a threat to a committed relationship? Is it fair for me to expect a romantic partner to...
Crystal, 23.01.2011, 09:07
0 comments
34 votes Vote

At what point is a compromise in a relationship irrational?

Couples can reach a point where one of them wants something that is mutually exclusive from what the other wants (To move, to have children, to do something sexually), and it becomes a make-or-break moment: either the curtains go, or I do. So to...
Rory, 24.01.2011, 10:57
0 comments
34 votes Vote

How should an Objectivist deal with a non-Objectivist spouse or partner?

If a person discovers and embraces Objectivism while already married or dating a non-Objectivist, what's the best way to deal with divergent views and other conflicts?
Anonymous, 19.03.2011, 07:57
0 comments
34 votes Vote

How should a person celebrate his birthday, if at all?

If so, why? Would a rational egoist throw a party and invite people that he doesn't value much, like estranged family members?
Kruppz, 25.03.2011, 09:27
4 comments
34 votes Vote

If science can someday secure immortality, would that affect a person's values and morals?

Imagine that scientists discover how to keep our bodies forever young, that all diseases were prevented or cured by nanotechnology, and that we could withstand massive amounts of physical force, virtually all extremes of temperature, and all forms...
Kyle Serrecchia, 10.04.2011, 18:32
2 comments
34 votes Vote

Is it moral to torture criminals and/or terrorists?

We supposedly were able to track down Osama Bin Laden with information obtained by torturing captured Al Qaeda prisoners. Is it moral to torture criminals, terrorists or other evildoers to gain useful information to fight crime or help win a war?...
Anonymous, 09.05.2011, 17:19
0 comments
34 votes Vote

Is downloading music from YouTube a violation of intellectual property rights?

Given that content creators can remove YouTube videos that violate their intellectual property rights, is it wrong to assume that they consent to the posting if they've not asked to remove it? It is wrong to watch or share clips that seem to be...
Yernaz, 28.09.2011, 16:49
0 comments
33 votes Vote

Why are children only an 'optional value'?

What does it mean to say that children are an "optional" value? Does that mean that every person should regard them as optional in his/her life -- or something else? Also, given that life is the standard of value and the none of us would exist...
Anonymous, 09.12.2010, 09:33
5 comments
33 votes Vote

How can I judge people more efficiently?

It would be helpful to be more efficient in judging whether certain individuals are appropriate for a friendship. Sometimes it takes me a long time to decide whether I would like to be friends with someone or not. It takes me even longer to decide...
Anonymous, 19.12.2010, 20:28
0 comments
33 votes Vote

What does it mean to live a "value-dense" life?

What is value density? How can we make our lives more value dense? How might the concept apply to productivity, vacations, education, and social events, for example?
Anonymous, 11.01.2011, 15:13
0 comments
33 votes Vote

Objectivism and the Corruption of Rationality: A Critique of Ayn Rand's Epistemology by Scott Ryan

What do you think about 'Objectivism and the Corruption of Rationality: A Critique of Ayn Rand's Epistemology' by Scott Ryan? I came across this on Amazon and was wondering if it's worth reading. Would it change my view about Objectivism?
Kruppz, 11.03.2011, 07:12
1 comment
33 votes Vote

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 Objectivist along similar lines. Is this even worthwhile?
Tim Peck, 29.03.2011, 11:54
0 comments
32 votes Vote

How can a conservative Christian also be a supporter of capitalism?

Isn't the Christian philosophy diametrically opposed to the basic principles of egoism and reason necessary to fully support laissez-faire capitalism?
Test , 10.01.2011, 16:13
1 comment
32 votes Vote

What's right or wrong about "heavy drinking"?

Recently, you got into a heated discussion on Facebook about the rationality of what could be described as "heavy drinking." http://www.facebook.com/dianamertzhsieh/posts/145258712197702 (The CDC defines "heavy drinking" as "consuming an...
Anonymous, 19.01.2011, 22:08
1 comment
32 votes Vote

If one is bisexual and derives different values from relationships/sex with men than with women, is it proper to maintain concurrent relationships with both?

Assume here, that if such an individual were to forsake having a relationship or sex with either gender, he/she would feel like something is missing and would long for the other.
Arthur Zey, 24.01.2011, 09:46
0 comments
31 votes Vote

Would a person be harmed by the infidelity of his/her spouse, even if never known?

If a husband cheated on his wife, and she never knew about it, he never got anyone pregnant, and he never got any STDs, would she be harmed? If so, how?
Formspring, 06.12.2010, 06:15
0 comments
31 votes Vote

If you have a mild to moderate contagious disease, is it immoral to go about your ordinary business knowing that this will expose other people to the disease?

I am not talking about life-threatening illness here, nor am I talking about intentionally trying to get someone sick (like spitting in their food). I'm just talking about going to work, school, entertainment events, or scheduled appointments...
Hanah, 24.03.2011, 06:55
1 comment
31 votes Vote

What advice do you have about dating coworkers?

A romantic interest, who is a sort of coworker of mine, is concerned about the effect on her reputation (she's new), as well as conflicts of interest, should we decide to date. If this is the reason she gave for declining a date, does it make...
Anonymous, 20.01.2011, 18:48
1 comment
31 votes Vote

Why do Objectivists single out the Libertarian Party as particularly bad?

I understand the objections to the Libertarian Party, but how are the Republican and Democratic Parties any better? Also, how do you propose we affect change in our society? Should people work to change the Republican party from within? Or...
Crystal, 27.01.2011, 06:44
0 comments
31 votes Vote

How do I become an expert on the Objectivist ethics?

I want a complete understanding. I want to be able to prove it to myself and others. How do I get there most effectively? Can you recommend any material other than the most popular books out there?
Anonymous, 19.03.2011, 08:07
0 comments
31 votes Vote

Was Francisco justified in slapping Dagny?

When Dagny had asked Francisco whether she should try to get D's in order to gain popularity in school, Francisco slapped her. I do understand what he meant by "unspeakable" thing. But couldn't have he talked it over with her instead of slapping...
Kruppz, 05.04.2011, 10:20
0 comments
30 votes Vote

When is abortion morally right or wrong?

Is abortion only proper in "extreme" cases like risk to life or health of the mother, rape or incest, or serious fetal deformity? Is terminating a healthy but unwanted pregnancy morally wrong? Is it an evasion of responsibility for the known...
Anonymous, 24.11.2010, 22:11
1 comment
30 votes Vote

Are tattoos or piercings irrational?

Are tattoos or piercings -- all of them, or just some kinds -- irrational and/or self-destructive? If so, why?
Formspring, 06.12.2010, 06:17
0 comments
30 votes Vote

How can I get my boyfriend back into my life?

I have studied Objectivism for a year now and I study the legend Ayn Rand. My ex was into this Objectivism and Moral studying. When I was with him I was basing my life on "fears" no moral value. I was insecure and didn't have that "Hero" like...
Brennan Prill, 27.01.2011, 13:23
0 comments
30 votes Vote

Is "extreme couponing" moral?

The Boston Globe recently wrote about people who engage in "extreme couponing". Basically, they find ways to redeem store coupons in a fashion that still abides by the rules, but they get free stuff out of the deal....
test, 02.03.2011, 11:59
2 comments
30 votes Vote

How should a person present new philosophic beliefs to his family and friends?

When a person decides that Objectivism is his own personal philosophy, how does he present that to family and friends? The point would not be to try to convince them to follow , but to say "look....this is what I believe, these are the principles...
Anonymous, 19.03.2011, 07:49
1 comment
30 votes Vote

How should one promote Ayn Rand?

What are some right and wrong ways to promote Ayn Rand's books and ideas? Who should you promote them to?
Kruppz, 25.03.2011, 09:24
1 comment
30 votes Vote

How ought I to judge my peers, given the upbringing they've had?

I have a very hard time thinking about moral responsibility for character when contemplating my peers. I know that we are ultimately responsible for our actions and our character, but I do know that character and temperament are also heavily...
Rory, 26.04.2011, 05:52
1 comment
30 votes Vote

Is it immoral to reverse-engineer a product?

Is it immoral to reverse engineer a product, make changes to the product (effectively building a better product) and then sell this new product to the highest bidder (or use it for yourself)? Is this considered theft or a legitimate activity?
Anonymous, 10.05.2011, 10:35
2 comments
30 votes Vote

What's the difference between extroversion and second-handedness?

According to Wikipedia, extroversion is "the act, state, or habit of being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from what is outside the self." A key distinction between introverts and extroverts is that extroverts mentally...
Nick, 09.07.2011, 06:16
0 comments
30 votes Vote

Where is the line between justice and vigilantism?

When is it moral to take the law into your own hands -- meaning pursuing, detaining, and/or punishing criminals as a private citizen? Suppose that you know -- without a shadow of a doubt -- that some person committed a serious crime against you...
SelfMadeSoul, 12.10.2011, 13:36
0 comments
29 votes Vote

How can Diana and Greg 'co-exist' with their difference regarding the question of personhood at/before birth?

I ask this especially in light of last week's discussion of reality being binary. One of you is wrong on the personhood issue and the issue is so fundamental, I could never tolerate a dispute at this level with a close friend.
Sal Durante, 30.12.2010, 12:22
0 comments
29 votes Vote

Is it ever rational to rely on a "gut" feeling?

More than once I have dismissed feelings that a person is not trustworthy, if I couldn't find a rational basis for them. Every time my initial instinct was proven to be accurate. Is it possible that I'm picking up on something that I can't...
Crystal, 20.01.2011, 07:31
1 comment
29 votes Vote

What is 'problematic' about giving a child up for adoption?

This is a followup question to the January 23rd discussion of children as an optional value.
David McBride, 23.01.2011, 09:14
0 comments
29 votes Vote

How is receiving the council of an attorney a right (at no cost if you can't afford it) while receiving healthcare is not a right?

During the healthcare debate last year I was strongly of the opinion that healthcare is not a right, but when I compared it to the right to an attorney, I had a harder time clarifying my reasons against healthcare as a right. Does it make a...
jackieblum14, 01.03.2011, 16:20
2 comments
29 votes Vote

What were Ayn Rand's shortcomings in her understanding and/or practice of Objectivism?

After having listened to a number of Rationally Selfish Webcast episodes, some passing statements make it sound like Ayn Rand had a complete understand and perfect execution of Objectivism. I'm attracted to Objectivism as a rational approach to...
Sandy McArthur, 20.03.2011, 23:55
1 comment
29 votes Vote

When is a person justified in taking up arms against his government?

In other words, how despotic must a government be for violent revolution to be morally justified? Before that point, is a person just engaged in "terrorism"? In particular, what do you think of the Norwegian shooter, Anders Breivik?
Bryan, 24.07.2011, 04:12
0 comments
29 votes Vote

Are the characters in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged flat due to philosophic consistency?

I'm reading Atlas Shrugged currently, and rather enjoying it. However, I've heard many people claim her characters are 'flat', 'one-dimensional' etc. I usually respond to this by saying that Ayn Rand's characters are the incarnation of her ideas,...
Ethan Rawlings, 16.10.2011, 09:00
4 comments
28 votes Vote

Does the moral concept of 'supererogatory' have any place in an egoistic ethics?

Recently, I stumbled on the concept of 'supererogatory' moral actions -- i.e. actions that are morally praiseworthy but which, if one did not perform them, one would not be morally blameworthy. Any validity to this concept from the perspective of...
Formspring, 06.12.2010, 06:05
0 comments
28 votes Vote

Does a rational person feel regret over past mistakes?

Clearly it is most productive to focus on the positive: What can you learn from your mistakes? Etc. Does this mean regret can be eliminated? What do you make of people who say they never have any regrets?
Anonymous, 24.01.2011, 22:55
1 comment
28 votes Vote

What is the best way to cut someone out of one's life?

When ending a friendship with someone is one obliged to give them reasons or is a simple "I no longer want to have a friendship with you" sufficient? What if the person would not accept the reasons or maybe even be driven to revenge or depression...
Bob, 25.01.2011, 09:43
1 comment
28 votes Vote

How does one best deal with unrequited love?

I am most interested in this from the perspective of someone who harbors feelings for a friend. In particular, how do you "move on"? When I have been in this situation, I have found it difficult to be interested in others I've dated. Is it...
Anonymous, 12.02.2011, 22:09
0 comments
28 votes Vote

Is it my responsibility to look after my parents in their old age?

What are the responsibilities that we have towards our parents if any? Is it my responsibility to look after my parents in their old age & support them financially?
Kruppz, 19.03.2011, 04:42
1 comment
28 votes Vote

What do you think of a couple living together outside marriage?

Do you think that a romantic couple living together without being married is moral and/or wise? Does the stage of the relationship matter, including whether they plan to marry or not? Does living together before marriage result in a happier or...
Anonymous, 20.04.2011, 09:36
2 comments
28 votes Vote

Should death be feared? Why or why not?

Also, why do most people fear death? How can a person overcome that, if ever?
Anonymous, 16.05.2011, 08:05
0 comments
28 votes Vote

What information should you consider in judging a person's character?

I recently heard some information in regards to a business associate's dealings with another of his associates that, if true, would make me reconsider doing business with him. However, his side of the story is that the other person is the one who...
Heather, 06.08.2011, 11:02
1 comment
28 votes Vote

Is overfeeding a child a form of abuse?

In November, county officials in Ohio placed a third-grade child into foster care on the grounds that he's over 200 pounds and his mother isn't doing enough to control his weight. ( http://bit.ly/s3llRw ) The boy does not currently have any...
Anonymous, 29.11.2011, 22:11
0 comments
27 votes Vote

Is lying to protect one's own privacy moral or not?

Many people regard lies to protect their own privacy as justifiable, even necessary. For example, a woman might tell her co-workers that she's not seeing anyone, even though she's dating the boss. She might tell those co-workers that she didn't...
Anonymous, 02.01.2011, 14:13
0 comments
27 votes Vote

If a person has cheated on his/her spouse, should he/she always tell that spouse afterward?

Imagine that a woman cheats on her husband, then regrets doing so, and decides to re-commit herself to the marriage. Should she tell her husband about that infidelity? What if the cheating was a short fling rather than a serious affair? What if...
DianaHsieh, 10.01.2011, 16:17
1 comment
27 votes Vote

Is it ever acceptable to act immorally if one is willing to accept the consequences?

This question was sparked by a statement in a previous podcast that it would be wrong to deceive a partner in order to save a relationship. Are there ever cases where one cares so much about a particular value that it can be legitimate to act...
Anonymous, 26.01.2011, 16:30
1 comment
27 votes Vote

What do you think about cryonics as a means of extending one's life?

Suppose there is at least a small chance that, if I am cryonically frozen in the coming years, doctors will be able to revive me at some point in the future. And suppose that money is not an issue (that I don't have to give up any other important...
Anonymous, 20.03.2011, 21:39
0 comments
27 votes Vote

What other countries besides America have a relatively healthy sense of life?

Suppose America takes a bad turn politically and I need to relocate to another country. What other countries still have a relatively healthy "sense of life" and decent culture -- in that they respect reason, accomplishment, and productiveness --...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 21:13
0 comments
26 votes Vote

Should a person with a pre-existing medical condition that disqualifies him from most major medical insurance plans sign up for a state-sponsored high-risk insurance pool?

I'm a 1099 independent software contractor. I contract myself out to a single company. I love my job, the people I work with and hope to continue this relationship for a long time. Since I'm a 1099-employee, I'm responsible for my own health...
Anonymous, 07.01.2011, 14:18
2 comments
26 votes Vote

What do you say to parents pressuring you to have kids?

Lately, my parents have been pressuring me and my wife to have kids. They really want grandkids, I think. They've been dropping not-so-subtle hints to that effect, as well as saying that I'd regret not having them, that kids are just part of...
Anonymous, 23.01.2011, 17:07
0 comments
26 votes Vote

Should spousal consent be required for sterilization procedures?

A fairly well-known mommy blogger recently revealed that she was required to sign a consent form for her husband's vasectomy. Reading through some of the remarks on her blog, many of her commenters seem to support such a practice, believing that a...
Jenn Casey, 13.02.2011, 17:04
0 comments
26 votes Vote

Is it immoral to browse a store with no intention of buying there?

Is it immoral to take advantage of the freedom to look through books in a bookstore, or to try out a laptop in a shop, with no intention to actually buy it in that shop? For instance, flicking through a book in the shop and then buying it on...
Rory, 28.02.2011, 04:52
0 comments
26 votes Vote

Is it moral to lend a book to a friend?

Given the intellectual property issues regarding downloading music, movies etc... would lending a book, say Atlas Shrugged, to a friend or relative be considered a violation of the rights of the intellectual property holder?
Jay Robbins, 30.03.2011, 17:28
1 comment
26 votes Vote

Was Immanuel Kant evil rather than just wrong?

I understand that his ideas were evil, but why does Ayn Rand seem to say that he too was evil? Isn't it likely that he was just extremely misguided? It always seemed to me that he took all of the nonsense that had been taught before him to its...
Kyle Serrecchia, 19.04.2011, 22:29
1 comment
26 votes Vote

Should you always own up to your mistakes?

Recently, I made a huge mistake at work, accidentally discarding some very important files. When inquiry was made, I denied knowing anything about it. Should I have fessed up?
Anonymous, 03.07.2011, 16:04
1 comment
26 votes Vote

Does life have a purpose or meaning?

Religious people say that God gives their lives meaning, purpose, and direction. As an atheist, what do you think the purpose of life is? Does it have any inherent meaning -- or should a person arbitrarily decide its meaning? And shouldn't life...
Anonymous, 12.10.2011, 19:57
2 comments
25 votes Vote

I have an object in my possession that I stole almost 20 years ago. Finding the rightful owner and returning it is impossible. What should I do?

I once lived in a large, very old apartment building, with a bike room in the basement, where residents were supposed to keep their bicycles. The room was virtually unused, as residents tended to keep theirs in their apartments. There were many...
James, 23.01.2011, 13:34
1 comment
25 votes Vote

Is it okay for parents to "spy" on their children?

Amid the recent controversy over the iPhone's location tracking database, I realized that some enterprising parents might use it to surreptitiously track their teenager's whereabouts. In most cases, I'd assume the parents have good intentions in...
KPOM, 23.04.2011, 05:37
0 comments
25 votes Vote

Is it possible to create a conscious being on a purely logical system?

Is it possible to create a conscious being on a purely logical system such as a computer? Might consciousness and even free will somehow "emerge" out of a purely logical system? Also, what do you think of the "Turing Test" as a test of intelligence?
Martijn Segers, 14.10.2011, 10:31
0 comments
24 votes Vote

What does it mean to treat an animal humanely?

The term "humanely" when applied to animals is confusing to me. What does it mean? Regardless of that term, what is the proper moral treatment of animals?
Kevin Morrill, 01.02.2011, 14:51
0 comments
24 votes Vote

Is it morally right or wrong to support political compromise?

The marijuana legalization initiative for the 2012 Colorado ballot also specifies open-ended taxation that circumvents the protections of TABOR. It specifies that the first $40 million goes to schools. Both of these taxation items are...
mspalding, 02.09.2011, 16:37
0 comments
24 votes Vote

Should people boycott Chick-Fil-A for its hostility to gays?

The fast food chain Chick-Fil-A is well-known for its promotion of Christian values. In recent years, the company has actively worked against gay marriage, in alliance with other organizations promoting the imposition of biblical commands by law....
Trey, 01.12.2011, 05:34
0 comments
24 votes Vote

Did Ayn Rand regard women as inferior to men?

I admire Ayn Rand, and I've used her philosophy in my business and personal life, but I disagree with her view of women. In her article "About a Woman President," Ayn Rand said that "For a woman qua woman, the essence of femininity is...
Barbara Lamar, 16.01.2012, 10:24
0 comments
23 votes Vote

Is it wrong to cheat on a work style questionnaire on a job application?

I've been denied certain jobs because I've answered too selfishly on job questionnaires that gauge a person's work style. The questions often ask what you would do in certain situations, if you prefer working alone or with others, etc. Is it wrong...
Miranda, 24.01.2011, 07:35
0 comments
23 votes Vote

What is the proper view of animal rights? Are pets a form of property?

Could you consider an answer I posted on OA (http://objectivistanswers.com/questions/2180/should-objectivists-care-about-animal-rights) as in it I raised the notion that it is no longer req'd that we eat animals for our survival - how does this...
Philip Hopkins (la_phil), 26.01.2011, 20:11
0 comments
23 votes Vote

Which bathroom should a transgendered person use?

The brutal attack at McDonald's apparently stated with a transgendered person using the ladies restroom, which was already occupied by a 14 year old. Was the transgendered person wrong to use that restroom? See:...
David McBride, 24.04.2011, 03:12
3 comments
23 votes Vote

Should a man unwilling to be a father have to pay child support?

Suppose that a man and a woman have sex, and the woman becomes pregnant -- even though the couple used contraception based on a shared and expressed desire not to have children. If the woman decides to raise the baby, should she be able to...
Andrew Medworth, 26.04.2011, 07:04
3 comments
23 votes Vote

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...
tomhall, 13.10.2011, 18:20
2 comments
22 votes Vote

Why are some people such jerks on the internet?

Some seemingly decent people become downright malicious bastards on the internet, particularly when posting anonymously. Why is that? What does such behavior say about a person's moral character? How can a person keep his manners, his...
Anonymous, 31.12.2010, 13:49
0 comments
22 votes Vote

What's wrong with multiple sexual partners at a time?

Why do you think that multiple romantic partners are psychologically destructive for everyone involved? What is it about romantic love that you think demands attention on one and only one other person?
FormSpring, 24.11.2010, 22:35
0 comments
22 votes Vote

Do I hold any responsibility towards my younger brother?

My parents constantly ask me to help my brother with his studies, homework, etc & look after him when they're out & do things for him at the expense of my own studies & time. But I don't find any value in helping my brother.
Kruppz, 19.03.2011, 04:50
0 comments
22 votes Vote

How do I know if I am using my emotions as tools of cognition or not?

Patrik Lundin, 15.08.2011, 11:21
0 comments
22 votes Vote

Is it moral to sell your body?

Selling our bodies or certain parts of them are perfectly acceptable in our society, such as being an egg or sperm donor, being a pregnancy surrogate, or selling hair. But others are condemned, such as prostitution or selling organs. Where should...
Miranda , 19.08.2011, 09:06
0 comments
22 votes Vote

Should women adopt the last names of their husbands?

In today's culture, some newly-married women adopt the family name of their husbands. Some keep their own last name. Some hyphenate their names together. Some use their maiden name for work, but their married name in their personal life. Some...
Anonymous, 22.08.2011, 12:12
0 comments
22 votes Vote

How are evasion, context-dropping, and rationalization similar and different?

When thinking over a problem I notice that these terms can often be applied simultaneously. So what do they mean -- and how are they similar and different?
Yernaz Ramautarsing, 06.09.2011, 17:59
0 comments
22 votes Vote

What kinds of aesthetic body modifications are moral or immoral?

What differentiates piercing your ears from circumcision? Is tattooing moral? Does the amount of tattoos matter? What about gages, piercing kids' ears, scarring, dying hair, plastic surgery, and so on? Where do you draw the line -- and why?
Miranda, 08.09.2011, 05:24
0 comments
22 votes Vote

Is there objective evidence for free will?

After doing some research on free will and determinism, the existence of free will seems pretty unlikely to me -- even though the thought of free will is comforting. An argument often used to refute determinism is that the determinist says that we...
Martijn Segers, 09.09.2011, 04:48
2 comments
22 votes Vote

Is patriotism a virtue?

Is patriotism towards America a virtue? Should a person "love America" -- or is that just jingoistic nationalism?
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 21:46
0 comments
21 votes Vote

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?

Paul Lin, 13.12.2010, 07:26
1 comment
21 votes Vote

Is it ever rational to be brutally honest?

There are usually two ways to say the same thing: tactfully or "brutally." In many instances, you cannot guess at how a person might react if you are "brutal" but then again they might not "get it" if you are tactful. Which approach is better? Is...
David, 17.02.2011, 12:31
0 comments
21 votes Vote

Is working for a minister giving religion moral sanction?

As an Objectivist, I once worked for an ordained minster who was the owner of a gallery. I became his manager when I made it clear that I was an atheist, but that I was a good framing manager. I don't think I gave him a moral sanction for his...
Thomas M. Miovas,Jr., 30.03.2011, 14:14
0 comments
21 votes Vote

Is a person ever obliged to "give back to the community"?

Businesses often speak about their charitable work as "giving back to the community." I know that's wrong, because they didn't take anything from it in the first place. But when a person benefits from a certain group or organization, should he...
Anonymous, 16.05.2011, 08:07
0 comments
21 votes Vote

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?
Anonymous, 02.07.2011, 15:32
0 comments
21 votes Vote

Is it immoral to give away food that you regard as unhealthy?

Assuming that one believes (as I do) that candy and sweets are harmful to health (especially in quantity), is it immoral to participate in trick-or-treat by giving children candy when they come to your door? Or, is it immoral to "dispose" of an...
Michael Mansberg, 10.07.2011, 07:46
1 comment
21 votes Vote

Should rational people describe themselves as "ignostics" rather than "atheists"?

By rational principles, no cognitive consideration should be given to arbitrary assertions. Since the concept of God is invariably a floating abstraction and incoherent in its definition, shouldn't the claim that God exists be dismissed as...
Terry Verhoeven, 06.12.2011, 00:55
0 comments
21 votes Vote

Are some religions better than others?

Do certain religions encourage rationality more than others? Do some promote better moral systems than others? I am curious both about different forms of Christianity (Catholic, protestant, unitarian, Mormon, etc.), as well as other religions...
Hanah, 12.12.2011, 13:08
0 comments
20 votes Vote

Is revenge moral or not?

Is it wrong to want to hurt people who have hurt you? It is wrong to make them hurt?
FormSpring, 24.11.2010, 22:31
0 comments
20 votes Vote

Is it moral to not defend yourself if you will get into legal trouble for doing so?

As I understand laws on self-defense, you must be "in immediate danger of death or grievously bodily harm" in order to use lethal force. How is this reconciled with the morality of "shooting before he shoots you" or "hitting before you get hit"?...
David, 17.02.2011, 12:11
2 comments
20 votes Vote

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?
Anonymous, 18.03.2011, 15:37
0 comments
20 votes Vote

Should age matter in romance?

Is it in your rational best interest to date someone who is significantly older or younger than you? Assuming that both individuals are mature, is there anything wrong with an 18 year old dating someone who is 38? Or a 40 year old dating someone...
Annonymous, 30.03.2011, 08:28
0 comments
20 votes Vote

How and why should a person introspect?

What benefits does a person gain from introspection? What are the costs of not introspecting? How does a person introspect?
Anonymous, 01.05.2011, 03:47
0 comments
20 votes Vote

Is it wrong to stockpile medication now in the event of an economic crash in the future?

We are concerned that increasing economic troubles will raise the prices of some prescription and over-the-counter medications, and make them hard to find in the future. Is it okay to start a stockpile of some medications (most of which have a...
Jenn Casey, 29.07.2011, 06:47
0 comments
20 votes Vote

How can I achieve a better balance between introspection and productive work?

Particularly I've made some mistake, I'll get wrapped up in the process of introspection until I get the problem sorted out. However, that consumes time -- and often my projects suffer and I miss deadlines. How can I find a better balance...
Anonymous, 17.10.2011, 13:14
2 comments
20 votes Vote

Should people be willing to "walk on eggshells" around tempermental people?

Some people -- often very talented -- are known to be highly temperamental. They'll explode in anger if others disagree with them, make innocent mistakes, or just act differently than they'd prefer. Is that a moral failing, and if so, what is...
Anonymous, 14.11.2011, 12:26
0 comments
20 votes Vote

Is it wrong to browse in a local store but then buy online?

Suppose that you shop for an item in a brick-and-mortar store, taking advantage of the opportunity to browse and get recommendations for staff, but then make your purchases at a discounted online retailer -- for example, browsing through a local...
Tori Press, 05.12.2011, 18:33
0 comments
19 votes Vote

Which mind-altering or mood-altering substances are rational to take? (alcohol, caffeine, marijuana, etc.)

And what principles do you apply in deciding?
guest, 28.12.2010, 10:08
1 comment
19 votes Vote

What is love?

How would you distinguish between romantic love and platonic love? What is the difference between infatuation and love? How can a rational person know when he or she is "in love"?
Crystal, 09.02.2011, 05:06
0 comments
19 votes Vote

How should I deal with the idea of man-made global warming?

What is the proper approach to the whole idea? I can´t decide on my own whether it´s true or false without educating myself in climatology. And how should I treat others who believe in it just because many university professors do?
Student, 24.02.2011, 03:47
0 comments
19 votes Vote

What are the selfish benefits of being a blood donor (or organ donor)?

What are the egoistic benefits of being a blood donor (or an organ donor) in today's context, where you do it for free? Or should one instead fight for the right to be able to sell one's blood (or bone marrow etc.) in a free market, and...
anonymous, 18.03.2011, 13:31
3 comments
19 votes Vote

Why should I be an egoist?

How do you explain that in layman's terms to someone in your life?
Patrik Lundin, 16.04.2011, 22:33
0 comments
19 votes Vote

What value do you gain from reading literature?

I've never much connected with literature, particularly not the classics. I know that you read them routinely. What value do you find in them? Or, what am I missing?
Anonymous, 03.07.2011, 16:09
0 comments
19 votes Vote

It is wrong to pursue self-destructive pleasures?

Suppose that you know that drinking to excess is not good for your mind or body, but you want to enjoy the oblivion of drunkeness. Or perhaps you know that sleeping with your ex-girlfriend is a very bad idea, but you want the pleasure of sex with...
Joel S, 01.12.2011, 20:55
0 comments
19 votes Vote

Does "no" always mean no in sex?

Does a woman give her tacit consent for sex solely by her acceptance of a man's invitation to his home or hotel room (or her invitation of him)? If so, is the man then free the man to have his way with her even if she says clearly, "I don't want...
Brian, 06.02.2012, 10:16
2 comments
18 votes Vote

What's the best way to mentally focus on one activity when I can't stop thinking about another?

Sometimes I get overly focused on or worried about a problem I'm having at work, and then I have difficulty focusing in class. Similarly, sometimes I'll think about an issue I'm having with a close friend, and I know I should focus my energy...
Anonymous, 13.02.2011, 13:18
0 comments
18 votes Vote

Should you tell someone else's secret to a spouse?

I know a lot of times when I share personal information with my best friend, I assume that she will (and am okay with) her sharing some or all of that information with her significant other. I think she makes the same assumption, that I will share...
Jenn Casey, 02.03.2011, 13:12
0 comments
18 votes Vote

Is it morally obligatory to engage in activism?

I want to fight for a better, more rational culture. But I know that I'm not a good writer or speaker. If I instead give my money to those who are, isn't that a good division of labor? Is it obligatory that I myself attempt to engage in such...
Concerned Objectivist, 01.03.2011, 14:54
0 comments
18 votes Vote

Are people in real life as evil as in Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged"?

In Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand presents almost every bad person as very evil. I understand the purpose of that in the novel, but are their equivalents in real life (meaning the legislators passing similar laws nowadays) as evil as that -- or are...
Kyle Serrecchia, 20.04.2011, 19:37
0 comments
18 votes Vote

What do you think of the term Randroid?

The term "Randroid" is supposed to imply that Objectivists are unthinking, mindless drones. However, I happily use this term to describe myself -- after first calling myself an Objectivist, of course -- because I think it squashes a lot of the...
Kyle Serrecchia, 26.04.2011, 08:48
3 comments
18 votes Vote

What should you do for a person that you injured in a car accident that was your fault?

Does a person have moral obligations -- over and above any legal obligations -- to the victim, since the accident was due to your own carelessness or mistake?
Anonymous, 12.07.2011, 01:55
0 comments
18 votes Vote

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?
Anonymous, 12.07.2011, 11:17
1 comment
18 votes Vote

What's wrong with the principle of sustainability?

In your October 9th webcast discussion of "sustainable agriculture," you didn't discuss what's right or wrong about the basic principle of the "sustainability movement," namely "that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the...
Anonymous, 11.10.2011, 13:28
0 comments
18 votes Vote

Is the death penalty moral?

I understand why people are opposed to the death penalty when there might be genuine doubt as to whether the accused person really committed the crime. Certainly, we've seen cases where DNA evidence has exonerated someone who was convicted...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 22:36
0 comments
18 votes Vote

Are cynicism and sarcasm unhealthy?

I know some very bright people who also frequently express cynicism and sarcasm towards world events, public figures, etc. Their remarks can often be quite witty and insightful. But is there something unhealthy about looking at the world in this...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 22:44
1 comment
18 votes Vote

Is an interest in fantasy and theology literature proper?

I'm fascinated with fantasy as a literary genre. I find it easier to get excited about a fantastic story rather than about a realistic one, and I'm also really interested in fantasy with a certain sophistication: the extremely well-constructed...
Fabian Bollinger, 07.11.2011, 14:17
1 comment
18 votes Vote

When should we give another person "the benefit of the doubt"?

Often, people say that public figures facing some scandal should be given "the benefit of the doubt"? What does that mean in theory and in practice? When ought people give the benefit of the doubt? Is doing so a matter of generosity or justice?
Anonymous, 14.11.2011, 12:19
0 comments
18 votes Vote

Do we have an obligation to help others in need?

Many people think that the need of others creates an obligation to help. Is that right or wrong? Why? When should a person help others?
Anonymous, 17.11.2011, 11:32
0 comments
17 votes Vote

Is it morally wrong to be a free rider?

Some people say that it's wrong to be a free rider -- for example, by sneaking into a movie without paying for it, using a gas station bathroom without buying anything, accepting a ride to the airport but refusing to return the favor, hiking on...
Anonymous, 20.01.2011, 08:47
0 comments
17 votes Vote

Is it moral to exploit a design flaw in a government or private lottery?

Wired magazine recently described how a statistician noticed a design flaw in the Ontario government lottery "scratchers" game which would allow people to consistently win money. He was described as being "ethical" because he alerted the...
Anon, 17.02.2011, 13:00
2 comments
17 votes Vote

What are the differences between 'open mindedness' and rationality?

I think many people have a mistaken conception about what it means to have an open mind, ie, where does one draw the line between: listening to an opinion/idea and considering it's value, or writing off the idea/opinion as hog wash?
bob, 01.03.2011, 11:28
0 comments
17 votes Vote

Should the state be involved in marriage contracts?

Many people say that gay marriage shouldn't be a political issue, because the state shouldn't be involved in defining marriage at all. Is that right? Why or why not?
Sophie, 26.06.2011, 06:49
0 comments
17 votes Vote

Is product placement in art a breach of artistic integrity?

Given that an artist must select every aspect of an artistic work, does delegating some selection to the highest bidder breach the integrity of the work? Does the type of artwork matter? Would it be okay in movies and television but not...
sarrionandia, 10.07.2011, 03:00
0 comments
17 votes Vote

What's the proper approach to nudity?

Should we all be nude all the time? Should nudity be saved for your lover only? Should children see their parents naked? Should we have clothing-optional get-togethers with friends? Basically, what is your view of the proper contexts for nudity?
Kelly Elmore, 03.08.2011, 14:18
2 comments
17 votes Vote

Is it moral to anonymously donate sperm or eggs, not knowing how the resulting children will be raised?

Hanah, 03.10.2011, 11:05
3 comments
17 votes Vote

How can I effectively explain my atheism to religious believers?

When I discuss religion with believers -- mostly Christians -- I find that I can't easily explain why I don't believe in God. Should I appeal to the principle of the "primacy of existence"? Should I explain the problems with the arguments for...
Anonymous, 14.11.2011, 15:54
0 comments
17 votes Vote

What is the difference between responsibility, obligation, and duty?

Often, people use these terms interchangeably. What's difference between them, if any?
Kelly Valenzuela, 09.01.2012, 13:52
0 comments
17 votes Vote

Am I obliged to tell a friend that I've developed romantic feelings towards her?

Recently, I've developed romantic feelings for a platonic friend. Is it dishonest to withhold this information from her and just continue our friendship? What should I do if she asks me a direct question about my feelings? When would it be wrong...
Anonymous, 26.01.2012, 07:57
0 comments
16 votes Vote

What is the proper way to respond to a beggar?

How should one respond when approached on the street by strangers asking for money? Any suggestions for dealing with aggressive beggars?
Miranda, 24.11.2010, 11:54
0 comments
16 votes Vote

When do you talk to a romantic interest (or partner) about your sexual preferences?

Is there a right or wrong way to talk with your romantic partner about sexual preferences? Do you wait until you are "in the sack" to find out whether you are sexually compatible? And, how important is sexual compatibility to a romantic...
FormSpring, 24.11.2010, 22:33
0 comments
16 votes Vote

Are Objectivists obliged to work to change the culture?

Do you think that it is morally necessary (most of the time, in most cases) for an Objectivist to do something to enact cultural change?
FormSpring, 24.11.2010, 22:34
0 comments
16 votes Vote

How does one properly judge a person's actions and ideas?

I've read that one can judge a person's ideas as good or evil based on whether they are true or false, respectively. I've also read/heard that it's usually better to judge a person's actions since people often aren't very exact in their ideas and...
David, 23.12.2010, 19:38
0 comments
16 votes Vote

How can young adults learn to use credit cards responsibly?

Some young adults (usually college students) seem to make terrible financial decisions, often getting themselves into serious and overwhelming credit card debt. Others seem to handle their new financial responsibilities just fine. How would you...
Anonymous, 05.01.2011, 19:29
1 comment
16 votes Vote

How can I criticise someone without hurting their feelings?

A problem I run into a lot, running in Theatre/Drama circles, is having to be honest whilst being asked what I thought of an actor's performance, or a director's job, or the writer's work. And this being student theatre, the writing can be very...
Rory, 24.01.2011, 14:08
0 comments
16 votes Vote

Is forgiveness necessary?

Religious connotations aside, popular psychology often tells us that we must forgive those who have hurt us, even if they are no longer in our lives. It's "healthy". Is forgiveness really necessary to emotional healing? Should I forgive, if the...
Anonymous, 30.01.2011, 07:35
0 comments
16 votes Vote

Is it moral to make fun of others?

Can mocking, or making fun of others ever be good? For instance many people use it as a way of showing that they dislike someone without having to be direct about it.
Metallica, 11.02.2011, 02:45
0 comments
16 votes Vote

Assuming the Atlas Shrugged movie turns out to be decent, would it be immoral to recommend it to others since the movie is backed by a trustee of The Atlas Society?

jasonroberthead, 01.03.2011, 10:05
0 comments
16 votes Vote

Are building codes ethical?

In light of the building earthquake and tsunami in Japan, a lot of people are crediting the strict building codes and urban planning for reducing the damage. Is it within Objectivist ethics to support building codes (which limit property rights)...
KPO'M, 12.03.2011, 09:29
2 comments
16 votes Vote

How do you objectively define manners?

I am assuming there is some kind of connection to personal values, and therefore manners vary from person to person. For example, some people regard not taking off your shoes when you enter a home to be rude, or putting your elbows on the dinner...
Anonymous, 01.04.2011, 19:40
0 comments
16 votes Vote

Is it wrong to not keep up with current news and politics?

I find news and politics today so depressing. Every time I pull up a newspaper's website I feel overwhelmed by all the crap going on in the world and disheartened by the bad politics. It just feels like a soul draining activity and a waste of...
Miranda , 21.06.2011, 10:43
0 comments
16 votes Vote

Should parents pretend to their children that Ewoks are real?

This father told his kids that Ewoks (from Star Wars) lived in the Sequoia National Forest. On their recent family vacation, they made a game of looking for these imaginary Ewoks. Afterwards, dad even photoshopped a few Ewoks into the family...
Anonymous, 25.09.2011, 11:12
0 comments
16 votes Vote

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...
Anonymous, 13.11.2011, 21:03
0 comments
16 votes Vote

Should I act uninterested in a man to attract him?

One common theme in romance advice is that a woman should act aloof and unattainable in order to attract a man or to get him to commit to a relationship. Is that dishonest? Is it counterproductive?
Anonymous, 21.11.2011, 19:44
0 comments
16 votes Vote

Is indirectly poking fun at a person's ideas rude or otherwise wrong?

Is posting jokes, pictures, articles, or expressing views that might offend others -- including friends and family -- rude, offensive, or just in bad taste? For example, is it proper to make jokes about Jesus, Obama, or environmentalism on...
anon, 20.02.2012, 12:39
0 comments
15 votes Vote

Should I care what happens to the world after I die?

Should I care about my friends and projects after I die? What about caring about humanity long after my death? Should that affect my actions today?
FormSpring, 24.11.2010, 22:29
0 comments
15 votes Vote

Is it possible to think too much? And where does one draw the line between necessary thinking and overthinking?

Objectivists are people who take ideas seriously; they are intellectually inclined (as far as I can discern) and spend a lot of time "inside the mind." With all this emphasis on rationality, thinking, introspection, analysis, judgement, reading,...
Andrew Brannan, 26.11.2010, 04:43
0 comments
15 votes Vote

How should we act towards others with poor conceptual habits?

How should one act towards others who consistently refuse to use some concepts properly? For example, those who call margarine "butter" despite the drastic difference in their chemical makeup.
Benpercent, 11.12.2010, 20:12
0 comments
15 votes Vote

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...
David, 11.12.2010, 22:01
0 comments
15 votes Vote

What constitutes abandonment of property? Can you forfeit your property by not using it for a certain period of time?

Suppose your father cultivated a certain stretch of land and left it to you after his death. After some time, you stop cultivating it and move away. Many years pass. Would someone else be justified to claim the land as his if he starts cultivating...
Sascha, 25.01.2011, 15:40
1 comment
15 votes Vote

Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not?

Anonymous, 18.03.2011, 15:29
2 comments
15 votes Vote

How should a person deal with filial responsibility laws?

In your April 10th episode, 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...
anonymous, 09.04.2011, 19:13
0 comments
15 votes Vote

Should a man ever act in real life as Howard Roark did in his first sexual encounter with Dominique?

In your April 24th webcast, you said that a person should not act as Howard Roark did in the "rape" scene in The Fountainhead, implying it would be immoral. Could you explain why? Is the problem that you cannot know for certain what the woman...
Kyle Serrecchia, 24.04.2011, 09:30
0 comments
15 votes Vote

How can I manage my projects better?

Too often, I'm overwhelmed by the sheer volume of projects on my agenda. Because I'm overcommitted, I'll miss important deadlines or allow some projects to be delayed into oblivion. Other times, my work is rushed and sloppy. Sometimes I feel so...
Anonymous, 10.08.2011, 09:03
0 comments
15 votes Vote

Should prisons be run by the state or private companies?

After reading this Huffington Post article ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/14/undocumented-immigrants-prison-business_n_926542.html?1313407200 ), I wonder whether prisons should be run by private companies or the state. I tend to think...
Kelly Valenzuela, 16.08.2011, 09:18
0 comments
15 votes Vote

Should it be legal for civilians to own fully automatic weapons?

Should a law-abiding citizen be able to own a fully-automatic rifle? Or is that something that only members of the police and military should possess? As a law-abiding civilian, am I somehow violating someone else's rights by owning an M-16...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 22:09
6 comments
15 votes Vote

Should we forgive ourselves?

How can a person free himself from guilt over past errors and wrongs, particularly irrationality? Should such a person forgive himself -- and if so, what does that entail?
Laura, 08.11.2011, 05:35
0 comments
15 votes Vote

What is the proper response to requests for prayers?

A relative of mine recently had surgery to have his appendix removed. I was asked by another relative to pray for the first relative, even though everyone in my family knows that I don't believe in God or the power of prayer. I tried to let it...
James, 10.11.2011, 08:54
0 comments
15 votes Vote

How can I encourage my friends to be more purposeful and passionate?

I have been certain about my life's purpose -- in terms of what career and personal creative works I'd like to pursue -- from a young age. I've had friends who are above-average in their academic and career work, and who explore various hobbies,...
Carrie, 05.02.2012, 14:40
0 comments
14 votes Vote

What is the proper judgment of very violent sports and people's enjoyment of them?

By "very violent sports," I mean ultimate fighting, boxing, etc. -- where the objective is to draw blood or beat your opponent senseless. Is this proper entertainment for a rational person?
FormSpring, 24.11.2010, 22:22
0 comments
14 votes Vote

How can I procrastinate less?

Often, I avoid doing unpleasant tasks for days or weeks, and I feel terrible about those delays. How can I motivate myself to just get those dreaded chores out of the way?
Anonymous, 24.11.2010, 22:16
0 comments
14 votes Vote

What are some good topics to discuss on a first or second date?

Also, what topics should be avoided?
Anonymous, 24.11.2010, 22:20
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Are college degrees worth the price paid for them?

Do they offer a good value for the investment of time, effort, and money? Why or why not? And if not, how might a person obtain a solid education in the humanities instead?
DianaHsieh, 14.12.2010, 07:36
2 comments
14 votes Vote

Do you think people overstate their character?

My personal experience is that many, but not all, people seem to overstate their positive character traits. The most stressed character traits seems to be the weakest. For example, a person who stresses their integrity often turns out to be...
David, 22.01.2011, 06:18
2 comments
14 votes Vote

Is there a fundamental/substantial difference between seriously wanting to have sex with someone other than your significant other and actually doing it?

Obviously, in some sense, if I don't actually act on that desire, then I don't *really* want to, but in another sense, I still really do--and the only thing that's stopping me is my fidelity to my partner. From my partner's perspective, I don't...
Arthur Zey, 24.01.2011, 09:41
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Is it moral to accept discounts for products and services when the person giving you the discount isn't a manager or owner of the business?

Is it moral for a person to accept "nice face" discounts? I've had people (mostly women) tell me that they've received discounts or better service for being nice, dressing in low-cut shirts or short skirts, being cheerful or otherwise friendly to...
David, 03.02.2011, 18:39
1 comment
14 votes Vote

Are hypothetical scenarios useful in ethics?

In your Feb 27th webcast, you talked about a hypothetical in which saving a stranger costs $200 and two hours of time. How can you know such details, except by stipulation? Aren't such hypotheticals useless because they're not the like the...
Anonymous, 28.02.2011, 12:30
1 comment
14 votes Vote

Is it moral to stay in an abusive marriage for the sake of the children?

Is it moral for a woman to stay in a marriage -- an abusive marriage -- because she has kids with the man/abuser and wants her kids to have some sort of future? Does it matter if the man in question has some -- or even all -- the financial...
Robert56, 03.04.2011, 05:40
1 comment
14 votes Vote

Is it moral to strategically default on your mortgage?

Suppose that you could continue to pay your mortgage, but you're under water: you owe more than the house is worth. You realize that you'd save tens of thousands of dollars by defaulting. Would it be morally wrong to default, assuming that you...
Anonymous, 15.04.2011, 10:44
2 comments
14 votes Vote

Are compulsory juries moral?

Is it necessary and/or proper to compel citizens to serve on a jury? If not, what is the best way to ensure the right to a trial by a jury of your peers (rather than trial by government agents)? Should a free society have professional volunteer...
KPO'M, 10.04.2011, 18:55
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Should JK Rowling pay back the UK government its welfare payments to her?

JK Rowling famously wrote the first Harry Potter novel while "on the dole". She has been fabulously successful since then, and likely could not have written that first book without state support. Should she now repay all the money the UK spent...
Michael Gillespie, 27.04.2011, 18:46
3 comments
14 votes Vote

What is the value of celebrating holidays?

Also, what is your favorite holiday and how do you like to celebrate it?
Anonymous, 16.05.2011, 10:19
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Is it dumb to return a valuable home run baseball to the team?

When NY Yankees star Derek Jeter hit a home run for his 3000th hit, the fan in the stands Christian Lopez who caught the ball returned it to the Yankees, even though he was legally entitled to keep it. Some experts estimate it could have been...
Anonymous, 17.07.2011, 13:14
0 comments
14 votes Vote

Is "sustainable agriculture" a legitimate concept?

Many advocates of a paleo diet also advocate "sustainable agriculture," including Robb Wolff and Mat Lelonde. Is sustainable agriculture a valid concept? What does (or should) it entail? Should consumers be concerned that their food producers...
jd22, 22.08.2011, 13:03
0 comments
14 votes Vote

All the candidates are nearly perfectly horrid. Why should I vote?

Trey, 20.09.2011, 17:25
1 comment
14 votes Vote

How can a person regain his rationality in the face of overwhelming emotions?

On occasion, I find my rational judgment swamped by strong emotions like anger and anxiety. In such cases, my thinking seems distorted by my emotions. While in the grip of such emotions, what can I do to re-establish my powers of rational...
Anonymous, 13.10.2011, 09:49
1 comment
14 votes Vote

Should we be optimistic or pessimistic about the future of the culture?

What do you think will happen to the culture in the next 20 to 50 years? Are you optimistic or pessimistic -- and why? What do you think the value and certainty of such predictions based on philosophy are?
Pete Brown, 14.10.2011, 10:24
0 comments
14 votes Vote

What privacy rights does a person have in this era of high technology?

Do you have the right to privacy with respect to information that I can gather about you from observation of you while I'm on my own property? For instance, if I have technology that allows me to gather photons or sound waves that you emit from...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 22:21
0 comments
14 votes Vote

How can I become more tenacious in pursuit of my goals?

I find that I give up too easily on some of my goals, particularly when success is far away and much effort is required now. What can I do to make myself more tenacious?
Joel S, 01.12.2011, 21:00
0 comments
13 votes Vote

What should the US government do about Wikileaks founder Julian Assange?

In particular, can and should the US government go after him, given that he is not an American citizen and he apparently committed his bad acts outside of US territory?
anonymous, 14.12.2010, 22:25
1 comment
13 votes Vote

Does morality require God?

Many devoutly religious people claim that morality requires God. They say that without a supernatural lawgiver, anything would be morally permissible. Is that right? Are relativism or subjectivism the only alternatives to religious morality?
Anonymous, 05.01.2011, 10:32
0 comments
13 votes Vote

What is a proper view of gossip?

Should a rationally egoistic person listen to and/or spread gossip about other people? Why or why not?
Anonymous, 23.01.2011, 22:00
0 comments
13 votes Vote

What do you think about the dangers of hiring someone with an internet presence?

I have had conversations with people who have had the job of deciding who to hire for their respective companies. I have seen examples, too, where company men talk about hiring people (A great example for present circumstances would be near the...
Rory, 25.03.2011, 09:56
0 comments
13 votes Vote

Is it wrong to lie to a person on their deathbed?

Is it wrong to tell a deliberate falsehood to a dying person so they can "go in peace"? For instance, a man might tell his fellow soldier dying on the battlefield that his heroism helped win a critical victory, even if it actually made no...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 22:52
0 comments
13 votes Vote

Are statutory rape laws proper?

Statutory rape laws criminalize seemingly consensual sex when at least one party is below the age of consent, but sexually mature, e.g. when an 18 year old has sex with a 15 year old. Are such laws proper? Should the over-age person be convicted...
Anonymous, 11.12.2011, 20:38
0 comments
13 votes Vote

Should SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) be supported or opposed?

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) was recently introduced to the US House of Representatives, and many people are urging businesses and their representatives to oppose it. Would the bill promote prosperity and creativity by protecting copyright?...
Mohsen Shahini, 23.12.2011, 08:18
7 comments
12 votes Vote

What is the difference (if any) between 'productiveness' and 'productivity'?

People often seem to use the terms interchangeably, but are they the same?
Anonymous, 19.11.2010, 15:24
0 comments
12 votes Vote

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...
David, 23.12.2010, 19:33
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Do you judge by a person's intellect by their age? If not, how do you avoid being a victim of stereotypical thinking?

I am 16 and am facing problems with some people who seem to think that my views aren’t clear even to me just because “I am a lazy teen with no experience in life”. Personally I find stereotypical thinking a bit collectivistic since it judges...
Daniel Kirilov, 09.06.2011, 09:04
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Is it always wrong to seek popularity?

Because of the character Peater Keating I can´t figure out in what context it would be right for an Objectivist to value or desire popularity, if at all.
Patrik Lundin, 04.01.2011, 20:40
1 comment
12 votes Vote

Are peanut bans in schools immoral?

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...
Jenn Casey, 28.03.2011, 08:15
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Why do you think that tattoos should be easily concealed?

You mentioned that in your January 16th webcast.
Paul, 23.01.2011, 22:11
1 comment
12 votes Vote

Is it moral to be sentimental?

Some dictionaries define sentiment as an attitude based on emotion rather than reason. Is this accurate? Would it then be moral or rational to be sentimental? For example, would it be moral or rational to: 1) Hold on to your favorite childhood...
David, 14.02.2011, 07:14
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Am I obliged to visit my family for the holidays?

I'm in my mid-20s. My family expects me to return home for the holidays, i.e. for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I dislike the trouble of travelling during that hectic time. (I live across the country.) Also, I dislike the chaotic bustle at my...
Anonymous, 20.04.2011, 09:51
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Should a person feel guilty about his emotions?

Sometimes I feel emotions that I know are misplaced, such as envy at a co-worker's promotion or anger at a friend's mistake. What should my response be to these emotions? Should I feel guilty about them? Should I change them -- and if so, how?
Anonymous, 22.05.2011, 14:57
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Is it moral to marry someone just to obtain a green card?

Given the difficulties of immigrating to the United States, is it immoral to circumvent those bad laws by marrying someone solely to obtain a green card? Would it matter if the person were a good friend?
Miranda, 21.08.2011, 11:31
0 comments
12 votes Vote

How can I politely decline outings with friends that I cannot afford?

Recently, a friend proposed an outing that was far too costly for my limited budget. In such cases, how do you recommend telling the person that it's too pricey? If the person then offers to pay my way, is it wrong to accept that? I don't want...
Anonymous, 22.08.2011, 12:18
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Should the "Do Not Call" Registry exist?

The National Do Not Call Registry was established in 2003, and it's run by the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission. Is this legitimate? Does a person have a right not to be called by solicitors and other unwanted...
Alexander Marriott, 25.08.2011, 10:44
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Do our genes affect our reasoning?

Evolution makes fruit taste sweet and burning human flesh smell awful. Presumably, evolution can hard wire pleasures and pains because interaction with that thing has caused our ancestors to live longer or die earlier. Wouldn't this same process...
Jordan Holcombe, 26.08.2011, 01:21
1 comment
12 votes Vote

What's wrong with utilitarianism?

The basic principle of utilitarianism is "the greatest happiness for the greatest number." What's wrong with that as a moral standard? Should't a person act for the good of society?
Anonymous, 24.10.2011, 10:01
1 comment
12 votes Vote

What's wrong with being pragmatic?

My dictionary defines being pragmatic as "dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations." What's wrong with that, if anything? Is that the same as "pragmatism"?
Anonymous, 24.10.2011, 10:00
0 comments
12 votes Vote

Is it wrong to "out" a hypocritical anti-gay public figure who is secretly gay?

Some conservative politicians have taken strongly anti-gay positions, but are secretly gay themselves. If one learns of this, is it wrong for gay activists to publicly "out" them? What if they don't take engage in public hypocrisy, but are just...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 21:30
1 comment
12 votes Vote

Should a person always be interested in the creative works of a romantic interest or lover?

I'm romantically interested in a woman who writes as her career. While my admiration of her is based in her virtues and even heroic qualities, I'm don't find the subjects of her writing to be particularly interesting. If I were to begin dating...
Benjamin Skipper, 18.11.2011, 11:26
0 comments
11 votes Vote

Why does altruism measure virtue by the depth of a person's self-sacrifice, rather than the amount of good actually done for others?

Altruism demands every person promote the welfare of others as his ultimate value. Despite that, however, altruistic virtue is not measured by the actual good done for others, but rather by the depth of the person's self-sacrifice. That's...
Anonymous, 27.11.2010, 21:01
1 comment
11 votes Vote

Are student and senior discounts proper?

Aren't these purely need-based discounts? Isn't that unjust, i.e. penalizing people for earning more? For example, is it wrong to ask for monetary contributions for this webcast from people able to pay, but allow people unable to pay to attend too?
Anonymous, 31.01.2011, 09:43
2 comments
11 votes Vote

What are the benefits of attending Objectivist conferences in person?

I know that there are several regional Objectivist conferences this year in addition to the main OCON? What are the benefits of attending these in person, rather than just listening to the lectures via a webcast or buying the lectures afterwards?
Anonymous, 18.03.2011, 13:24
1 comment
11 votes Vote

Is it rational to value good weather over good politics when choosing a place to live?

I currently live in a state with fairly good politics, with respect to taxes, gun rights, and so on. However, I have friends who live in California who say that the weather there is so good, that it's worth it to them even if the taxes are high,...
Anonymous, 05.11.2011, 21:17
0 comments
11 votes Vote

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...
Anonymous, 06.12.2011, 09:36
0 comments
11 votes Vote

Why are disputes so belligerent in online communities?

I've noticed that people get into very loud and heated disputes online, whereas that doesn't seem to happen in local communities. Disputes in local communities tend to be less frequent, less belligerent, and last for a shorter time -- even when...
Brian, 25.01.2012, 20:15
3 comments
10 votes Vote

Should a criminal who kills a pregnant woman (and her unborn child) be charged for two murders or one?

Does it matter if she's *obviously* pregnant or not? (Perhaps it should only matter in the sentencing phase of the trial?) I've read your Personhood papers and I agree that a person does not have rights until they're born, but it seems different...
Kelly Valenzuela, 10.12.2010, 08:12
0 comments
10 votes Vote

What do you think of the "Prisonner's Dilemma"?

Something about the "Prisoner's Dilemma" as a basis for economic and ethical claims never settled with me, but I'm not sure why. What is your opinion of it from a philosophical point of view? A detailed description can be found here:...
arwen83, 21.04.2011, 12:41
1 comment
10 votes Vote

If you find money in a house that you've purchased should you return it?

A man recently found about $45,000 hidden in the house that he'd recently bought. (See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110520/ap_on_fe_st/us_found_money ) It was saved up by the prior owner, now dead. He returned it to the man's children. Should...
Anonymous, 20.05.2011, 19:19
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Should the police lie to suspects in the course of an investigation?

Police routinely lie to suspects during the course of an investigation, usually in order to trick them into admitting something or revealing information they would normally not reveal. Note that the people they lie to may not have been convicted...
Ed Powell, 24.06.2011, 12:59
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Is lobbying a proper career choice?

Lobbying involves asking for various kind of favors from the government. Is that a profession that someone who values free markets should avoid like the plague?
Nick, 25.06.2011, 02:05
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Why should a free country have open borders?

In your July 24th webcast, you agreed with the questioner that the current laws restricting immigration are wrong. Why? Shouldn't Americans be able to restrict immigration, if they so choose? What, if any, limits should be set on immigration?
Anonymous, 23.07.2011, 14:43
0 comments
10 votes Vote

How can I maintain my integrity in friendships with people of opposite philosophic views?

I struggle to keep good relations with family and friends who support our current political system in which some people are helped at the expense of others, which I regard as slavery. They support ObamaCare, EPA restrictions, and welfare programs....
Terry Taylor, 02.08.2011, 17:50
0 comments
10 votes Vote

Is it irrational when you're being "crazy about" your partner?

Is being "crazy about" your partner a part of loving him/her when it's an early stage of your relationship? (For instance, a person likes to keep his partner's used stuff.) Does the answer differ for more serious stages?
Anon, 10.10.2011, 01:57
2 comments
10 votes Vote

How should I respond to the constant demands to contribute to fundraisers from my child's school?

I am barraged with "requests" for contributions to school fundraisers. This week, for example, each student in the band is asked to put together a "buddy bag" with sweets (against my views), a toy (more plastic junk to fill the landfills), and a...
Laura, 12.11.2011, 05:43
1 comment
10 votes Vote

Should I reveal my atheism to strangers when asked?

I work at a hospital. One night a patient asked me if I'm religious. I answered yes. He then asked me if I believed that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I answered yes. Then he took my hand and prayed for me. Immediately, I felt...
scryer, 13.11.2011, 05:55
1 comment
10 votes Vote

Are women subservient to men in Objectivism like in Christianity?

The Bible and Christians teach that God made women to be subservient to men and not to be their leader. Ayn Rand thinks that women are naturally subservient to men and should not be their leader. Aside from the appeal to God, what's the difference?
Samuel Kennedy, 17.01.2012, 12:35
1 comment
10 votes Vote

Should I use the term "selfish" in conversation without explanation?

According to Ayn Rand, selfishness means acting for your own long-range life and happiness, and that's moral and proper. Yet most people think that selfishness means brutalizing other people, lying and cheating to satisfy your desires, or at...
Anonymous, 26.02.2012, 15:13
1 comment
9 votes Vote

Is it moral for atheists to perform religious music?

I love to sing classical music, and that usually means performing with a group that does religious music, including Catholic mass and other religious songs. Some of these groups are secular and perform it for the artistic value alone, but other...
Hanah, 17.07.2011, 09:13
0 comments
9 votes Vote

How should I respond to the urban legends forwarded by a family member?

I've repeatedly pointed this family member to Snopes.com, in response to his forwarding of yet another urban legend. I keep hoping that he'll get the hint -- and check for himself before hitting the "forward" button. Yet he never does so, and...
Anonymous, 23.03.2011, 13:39
2 comments
9 votes Vote

What is the proper process of forgiveness?

In your March 6th episode, you spoke about forgiveness from the perspective of the person wronged. However, imagine that you're the person who has done wrong to someone else, thereby harming him. What should you do now? How can you prove to...
Anonymous, 24.04.2011, 18:21
0 comments
9 votes Vote

Why do some people of faith survive and even flourish?

If reason is required for life, and faith abdicates reason, then how can anyone who has faith live and prosper? In particular, how do some devoutly religious people manage to be so productive and creative?
Anonymous, 12.07.2011, 01:53
0 comments
9 votes Vote

Do restrictions on nudity and sex visible to others violate rights?

While having a zestful online debate, someone claimed that Ayn Rand contradicts herself in claiming that public nudity should be censored. (See "Thought Control" in the Ayn Rand Letter.) Since sex is a beautiful act, why should people be...
SelfMadeSoul, 03.08.2011, 08:16
4 comments
9 votes Vote

Can and should "good luck" be cultivated?

Can a rational person act in such a way that he is more likely to "get lucky" -- and should he purposely try to do that? For example, a construction worker might knock on the doors of a neighbor's house and after a friendly conversation leave his...
Daniel, 19.08.2011, 07:04
0 comments
9 votes Vote

Why do religious fanatics seek to impose their beliefs on others?

Most religious fanatics aren't content to practice their religion for themselves: they seek to impose it on others by law. Why is that? Why is that wrong? What can be done to combat it?
Rand Fan, 24.10.2011, 05:27
1 comment
9 votes Vote

Should I mull over my memories less frequently?

Is it unhealthy for a person to continuously mull over previous events and specific memories? I go over past events in my mind on a constant basis. I try to recall specific details (i.e., things I was thinking at the time, etc.) and keep a perfect...
Kat, 16.12.2011, 21:14
0 comments
8 votes Vote

What do you do when you meet someone who has treated you badly?

Recently, I ran into a person at an event who I used to know as a fellow member of a local discussion group. When he left the group about a year ago, he posted a long rambling e-mail to our mailing list condemning us for all kinds of imaginary...
Anonymous, 12.06.2011, 21:01
0 comments
8 votes Vote

What's a reasonable friending policy for Facebook?

I've been getting more Facebook friend requests from people I don't know lately. Should I accept or refuse them?
Anonymous, 24.11.2010, 22:18
0 comments
8 votes Vote

How do I fight apathy?

How should one go about controlling their emotional response to things better? I have found that a lot of things in life have made me far more apathetic towards life; how should I go about turning this around?
FormSpring, 24.11.2010, 22:37
0 comments
8 votes Vote

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?
Anonymous, 27.11.2010, 21:11
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Should people call their parents-in-law "Mom" and "Dad"?

My brother in law started calling my parents "mom" and "dad" -- and in turn my sister now calls his parents "mom" and "dad". This seriously offends me. My parents earned the title of mom and dad. They RAISED us --they cared for us, educated...
Tammy, 02.12.2010, 06:59
0 comments
8 votes Vote

What is the best way to handle aggressive looters?

What is the safest and most effective way to deal with the people who ignorantly brag about the fact that they are free-loaders on others, including using government programs and "public" funds?
KateRussell, 16.04.2011, 19:07
0 comments
8 votes Vote

What do you think of the oft-quoted bromide "I'm only human"?

I have heard that one a lot and it seems there are several uses to which it is applied, some legitimate and some seem nefarious and ugly.
David McBride, 07.03.2011, 05:19
0 comments
8 votes Vote

At death, should a person regret all the years spent at work?

I often hear the saying, "No one ever laid on their death bed wishing they had spent more time in the office." What should a person think of that -- and of the fact that so many people agree with it -- in light of the Objectivist virtue of...
Anonymous, 06.05.2011, 11:53
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Is it immoral to work for a company that uses government to eliminate or hamper the competition?

For example, if a company has brought antitrust lawsuits against its competitors, should you refuse to work for them?
cplunk7000, 15.06.2011, 07:16
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Is it immoral to hire illegal immigrants?

While laws restricting immigration seem terribly irrational -- both in terms of intent and effects -- they are still technically the law. Illegal immigrants often make themselves available for day-to-day work, and hiring them for a day has an...
SelfMadeSoul, 01.07.2011, 13:21
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Why would an ordinary person wish to carry a gun?

In your July 3rd webcast, you mentioned that you have a concealed carry permit. Why? Even if a person should be allowed to carry a firearm, shouldn't we rely on the experts -- namely the police -- to protect us from criminals?
Anonymous, 03.07.2011, 16:07
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Do I have a moral obligation to terminate friendships with people who steal music and other intellectual property from the internet?

I do not personally know a single individual who doesn't steal something off the internet. I used to do this myself, but stopped when I realized it was wrong and why. Normally, I would cut off contact with anyone who violates rights like that, but...
Charles Tew, 28.07.2011, 14:04
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Is it moral to photocopy an essay for a class or discussion group?

My friend and I are starting a reading group at our university focused on philosophy, and the group will meet each week to discuss an essay or article related to philosophy. I want to use one of Ayn Rand's essays from The Virtue of Selfishness. I...
Nick, 12.08.2011, 08:09
0 comments
8 votes Vote

How much should I tell my parents about my beliefs, given that I'm still financially dependent on them?

I'm in college, and if I told my parents that I'm an atheist, they'd probably stop paying my tuition. Should I tell them now, or wait until I'm done college?
Anonymous, 28.08.2011, 14:58
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Is it wrong to "vote with your wallet"?

A liberal friend of mine recently said that he won't vote for political candidates based on his own economic interests. What's wrong with doing that?
Anonymous, 05.10.2011, 12:13
2 comments
8 votes Vote

Is doing activities just to pad your resumé dishonest?

Some people work on mastering playing the violin, competing in tennis tournaments, learning calculus, and other activities -- not because they have any interest in them or because they think they might develop an interest once tried, but rather...
Mike Hardy, 29.10.2011, 19:46
0 comments
8 votes Vote

What's the moral threshold for cutting off a digital versus in-person acquaintance?

Morally, when it is wrong to end your friendly interactions with an in-person acquaintance? And when is it wrong not to do so? Does the answer differ for a digital acquaintance -- meaning, for example, someone that you know only via Facebook?
Joel S, 01.12.2011, 20:51
0 comments
8 votes Vote

Is it wrong to use "faith" to mean "trust and confidence in a person"?

Some people talk about having "faith" in their friends or in themselves -- and by that, they mean that they trust and have confidence in those people. Is it wrong to use "faith" in that way? In other words, blind faith is wrong, but is all faith...
Kelly Valenzuela, 25.01.2012, 08:44
0 comments
7 votes Vote

How do I ask my neighbor not to take liberties with my driveway?

I work out of my office on the ground floor of our home overlooking the street with partial view of our driveway. Every day, several times a day, a neighbor uses our driveway as a turnaround instead of using the intersection one house down, or...
TammyPerkins, 12.05.2011, 14:42
0 comments
7 votes Vote

Is toleration (or tolerance) a virtue?

(This question was asked in the NoodleFood comments by someone identified only as "Michael," and I thought it worth answering.)
DianaHsieh, 23.11.2010, 11:46
0 comments
7 votes Vote

Should a married couple ever separate temporarily for the sake of their respective careers?

This question is a follow-up to the discussion of long-distance relationships in your May 1st webcast. There, you said that long-distance relationships are inherently problematic because the people are living separate lives due to the physical...
Anonymous, 06.05.2011, 11:06
1 comment
7 votes Vote

How should I respond when people disparage their work?

Often, people often make comments about the great burden that work is -- not in the sense that they're unhappy with their current job, but that they resent the need to work at all. These are the kinds of people who live for weekends and...
Anonymous, 06.05.2011, 11:39
0 comments
7 votes Vote

Why are subpeonas justified but not compulsory juries?

In your May 15th podcast, you contrasted your position on jury duty with that of Dr. Peikoff's, saying that jury duty constituted the initiation of force. My understanding is that Ayn Rand's position was that subpoenas and the jury selection...
Anonymous, 15.05.2011, 09:43
0 comments
7 votes Vote

Is breastfeeding children in public wrong?

My wife and I want to have kids, and one question we have concerns public breastfeeding. Is it immodest or improper to breastfeed in public? Should stores permit or forbid it on their premises? Should public breastfeeding be restricted or...
Seth, 08.02.2012, 20:30
2 comments
7 votes Vote

Should "stealing valor" be a crime?

A man was arrested by the FBI in Houston recently and charged with "stolen valor." (See http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7261240 ) This is the charge made against someone who falsely poses as a decorated soldier. Is it...
Trey Peden, 10.02.2012, 14:37
1 comment
6 votes Vote

Are people who abuse their pets immoral?

Should we think ill of someone for neglecting or abusing their pets? If so, why?
Anonymous, 19.11.2010, 15:28
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Would you kill your pets for food? Why and why not?

Paul Lin, 29.11.2010, 19:26
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Should people give up their guns when they have kids?

Many people think that having guns in the house with kids is terribly risky, if not child endangerment, They say that the kids might get to the guns, even if locked away, and injure or even kill themselves in an accidental discharge. Is that...
Anonymous, 06.05.2011, 11:02
1 comment
6 votes Vote

What should a businessman do if he decides, given contemplation, that his product or service is not actually objectively good?

More specifically, what should a businessman do if he's rises up in the business world on promoting a particular product or service, only to learn decades into the ventures that there are better alternatives? As a fictional example, let's take a...
Benpercent, 26.03.2012, 20:19
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Is it dishonest to use tact when talking to someone?

When I have something important to tell someone and I am concerned that the other person might be put on the defensive or have hurt feelings, I try to say what I need to say with tact. That is, I change what I say from brutal honesty to something...
Jenn Casey, 24.04.2011, 08:47
0 comments
5 votes Vote

What role should experts play in our decision making?

Specifically, is it irrational to differ to experts on topics which we ourselves are not (and frequently cannot) be well-enough informed on to make a rational decision ourselves? For example, diet is a complex topic, one which requires years of...
James, 16.05.2011, 16:00
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Are risky sports immoral?

Some people engage in highly risky sports, such as freestyle skiing or snowboarding, mountain climbing in extreme conditions, surfing huge waves, skydiving, free (non-scuba) diving, super-technical mountain biking, and so on. Since life is the...
Anonymous, 24.04.2011, 18:17
1 comment
5 votes Vote

Are there times when you shouldn't help a friend?

If you see a friend taking some action which may ultimately self-defeating, or self-destructive, but you are pretty sure they don't have the knowledge or experience to understand the future consequences of their actions, should you allow them to...
Anonymous, 09.05.2011, 20:21
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Is it moral to "defraud" a public library?

There is an out-of-print book that I can't get for less than $100, a price I am not willing to pay. My library has a copy but they won't offer it for sale. Is it wrong to tell the library it is "lost" and just pay the fees, assuming they are...
Amy Mossoff, 13.05.2011, 12:04
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Does Objectivism need a psychology?

The philosophy of Objectivism does not address the domain of human psychology as a distinct and significant category. Does that make it incomplete? If so, is that important?
Tim Peck, 20.05.2011, 09:25
2 comments
5 votes Vote

Is it ever moral to take advantage of another person's ignorance?

Suppose that I drop by a yard sale to see whatever is up for grabs. While rummaging through the junk for which the owners no longer see a reason to keep, I catch sight of an item which I know to be extremely rare and valuable. Would it be moral...
Vince, 08.06.2011, 16:45
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Is sexting a form of cheating?

If you are married or in a committed relationship and you send sexually explicit texts or emails to another person, is that cheating?
Marc leon, 23.08.2011, 13:49
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Why can't a person sell himself into slavery?

People often decry indentured servitude, whereby people paid for their travel to America with several years of service. But this seems like a perfectly sound trade given certain assumptions about the terms of that service, e.g. you can't starve...
Trey Peden, 22.01.2012, 16:40
0 comments
5 votes Vote

Should employers ask applicants for their Facebook logins and passwords?

More employers are asking job applicants for their Facebook logins and passwords as part of a background check. (See http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_20218922/privacy-red-flag-raised-more-job-applicants-asked ) Of course, applicants can...
Anonymous, 22.03.2012, 08:59
2 comments
4 votes Vote

How should we judge NFL quarterback Michael Vick?

As an animal lover, I was appalled when the NFL allowed Michael Vick to play pro football again after his dog-fighting episodes. But now that he's doing well, part of me wants to cheer for him, telling myself that he's a "reformed man who...
Football fan, 22.11.2010, 11:56
1 comment
4 votes Vote

Can an Objectivist believe in God?

Can a person be a theist and an Objectivist? Or is that too fundamental a conflict? If so, why?
FormSpring, 24.11.2010, 22:25
0 comments
4 votes Vote

Would you recommend your fellow Objectivists to celebrate Festivus? If so, how should we celebrate it?

Paul Lin, 13.12.2010, 07:30
0 comments
4 votes Vote

What did you think of the movie of Atlas Shrugged, Part 1?

(I figured that I'd better ask myself this question so that I can answer it on Sunday!)
DianaHsieh, 15.04.2011, 10:39
0 comments
4 votes Vote

What makes some action or choice of ethical concern?

In your description of this webcast, you say that you answer questions on "practical ethics and the principles of living well." What's the line between those categories? When does a person acting unwisely cross the line into immorality? When...
Anonymous, 24.04.2011, 19:48
0 comments
4 votes Vote

What's the difference between pride and self-esteem?

To me, pride just seems like a feeling -- a sense of satisfaction with oneself. So what is the virtue of pride? And is that feeling of pride just self-esteem?
Anonymous, 14.05.2011, 13:18
0 comments
4 votes Vote

Should pharmacies sell homeopathic remedies next to real medicines?

For example, Cobroxin with Asian Cobra Venom 4x HPUS is sometimes sold next to acetaminophen. Calms Forte’s non-drowsy sleeping pills are often displayed next to diphenhydramine (the generic for Benadryl or Tylenol p.m.) James Randi, a...
gotmarc, 20.05.2011, 10:49
0 comments
4 votes Vote

Is it proper to join non-mandatory professional groups?

Many professional organizations provide great benefits to their members; educational opportunities, professional conferences, networking, journal subscriptions, insurance, and product discounts. However, many also engage in lobbying of government...
Isaac Spiel, 15.07.2011, 17:06
0 comments
4 votes Vote

Should public figures be held to higher moral standards?

Public figures -- like actors, politicians, and athletes -- are often lambasted in the media for committing commonplace wrongs like dishonesty and hypocrisy. Is that fair? If Michele Obama is an outspoken opponent of childhood obesity and lists...
Karen, 01.08.2011, 07:51
0 comments
4 votes Vote

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 and...
Anonymous, 28.08.2011, 14:55
0 comments
4 votes Vote

Should the government institute a national id card?

Periodically, politicians speak of instituting a national identification card in order to protect identify and track potential terrorists, prevent the hiring of illegal immigrants, stop welfare fraud, and more. Would such a national id card...
Anonymous, 22.01.2012, 09:21
0 comments
3 votes Vote

Is it racist to refuse to date people of a certain ethnic background?

Recently, black singer Jill Scott said that she felt her soul "wince" whenever a black man married a white woman. See http://www.essence.com/relationships/commentary_3/commentary_jill_scott_talks_interracial.php Many people have denounced that...
Anonymous, 13.05.2011, 09:38
1 comment
3 votes Vote

Do kids have moral obligations to their parents?

If so, what obligations and why?
Shane, 29.05.2011, 19:24
0 comments
3 votes Vote

Should rational people volunteer for the military?

How do you reconcile the concept of the inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness with volunteering for the military, a profession that requires obeying the orders of others -- especially when those orders may very well get...
Robert Schecter, 31.05.2011, 20:01
1 comment
3 votes Vote

Should you swear in front of strangers?

Swearing is sometimes a great "exclamation point" when you're telling a story or having an intense or extraordinary conversation. But, is it appropriate to swear in front of people who don't know you very well. Is this considered poor manners?...
Anonymous, 07.06.2011, 09:16
0 comments
3 votes Vote

Should I support Ron Paul for US President?

What's the proper evaluation of his principles and record on the budget, health care, national defense, immigration, the drug war, abortion, and gay marriage? Does Paul deserve the vote of advocates of individual rights in the primary or the...
DianaHsieh, 04.12.2011, 21:57
0 comments
2 votes Vote

What's right or wrong about calls for "moderation"?

Many things are black and white, but sometimes moderation seems like the right course. For example, you don't want to stuff yourself full of every food that strikes your fancy, nor deny yourself foods that you enjoy. So you should eat...
Anonymous, 06.05.2011, 11:12
0 comments
2 votes Vote

Should supporters of Gary Johnson vote for him on a Libertarian Party ticket?

Would this be a sign that the Libertarian Party is improving and deserves consideration? Or is getting rid of Obama so critical that it would be better to vote for a bad Republican over a better Libertarian? Should the Republicans keep losing,...
Martin Cade, 01.12.2011, 09:32
0 comments
2 votes Vote

What should I do when other people offer to pray for me?

Sometimes my friends and family members offer to pray for me -- whether because I've got some problem in my life or because they know that I'm an atheist. How should I respond?
Anonymous, 04.03.2012, 11:09
0 comments
2 votes Vote

How much advance planning is optimal?

Some people like to plan everything well in advance, while others prefer to allow events to unfold and make decisions on the fly. Is one approach better than the other? How much does it depend on the circumstances? How can people with...
Anonymous, 08.04.2012, 11:51
0 comments
1 vote Vote

Should I support Gary Johnson for US President?

What's the proper evaluation of his principles and record on the budget, health care, national defense, immigration, the drug war, abortion, and gay marriage? Does Johnson deserve the vote of advocates of individual rights in the primary or the...
DianaHsieh, 04.12.2011, 21:58
0 comments
1 vote Vote

Can an ordinary person do something unforgivable?

Could a friend act in a way that would make rational forgiveness impossible? Might a person do something so hurtful or unfair that you couldn't ever trust them again? In such cases, how should the person wronged acted towards the unforgivable...
Anonymous, 02.05.2012, 08:16
0 comments
0 votes Vote

Should I support Newt Gingrinch for US President?

What's the proper evaluation of his principles and record on the budget, health care, national defense, immigration, the drug war, abortion, and gay marriage? Does Gingrinch deserve the vote of advocates of individual rights in the primary or the...
DianaHsieh, 04.12.2011, 21:57
0 comments
0 votes Vote

Should I support Mitt Romney for US President?

What's the proper evaluation of his principles and record on the budget, health care, national defense, immigration, the drug war, abortion, and gay marriage? Does Romney deserve the vote of advocates of individual rights in the primary or the...
DianaHsieh, 04.12.2011, 21:57
1 comment
0 votes Vote

Morality in video games

Most games that feature a morality mechanic either let you be Super Jesus from the planet Kantian or Caligula mac Nietzsche. Usually represented by a sliding scale where being generally nice for a while can make up for burning down an orphanage....
Response from the site administrator
DianaHsieh, 02.05.2012
Since I don't play video games, I've made this into a rapid fire question.
Tjitze de Boer, 26.04.2012, 01:53
0 comments