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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30 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
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
0 comments
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
-1 comment
30 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
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

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

Should a person try to "win friends and influence people"?

In the classic book "How to Win Friends and Influence People," Dale Carnegie offers a wide range of advice on how to get what you want from other people. Some of this seems manipulative or second-handed, but is that right? Is the advice in the...
Anonymous, 31.12.2012, 20:21
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
29 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
29 votes Vote

Can Islam change for the better?

Many critics of Islam claim that the religion is inherently totalitarian, violent, and repressive -- and hence, that change for the better is utterly impossible. An Islamic reformation or enlightenment will never happen, they say. Is that true?...
Anonymous, 20.09.2012, 20:27
0 comments
29 votes Vote

What's so special about the seven virtues?

Ayn Rand identified seven virtues: rationality, honesty, productiveness, independence, justice, integrity, and pride. What's different about those qualities -- as compared to other commonly-touted virtues like benevolence, creativity, temperance,...
Anonymous, 18.06.2013, 07:55
1 comment
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

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
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
28 votes Vote

Should a person always care to work or earn money?

Most people need to work to earn their bread, so to speak. They need to be productive -- and be paid for that -- to survive. However, that's not true in all cases. Perhaps someone has inherited enough money to provide for his life, or he has...
NathanSmith, 14.06.2013, 20:27
3 comments

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