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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6 votes Vote

Can life be morally black and white?

People often say life is not "black and white," meaning that sometimes we must navigate morally gray zones, particularly when dealing with complex decisions involving other people. However, if we make decisions based on objective absolutes,...
Christopher, 20.09.2012, 07:42
-1 comment
6 votes Vote

What should we think and do in face of the 2012 election?

Many free-market advocates are despairing over the election results, particularly the re-election of President Obama. They claim that America has sunk to a new low in re-electing an openly socialistic and egalitarian hater of America. Do you...
Anonymous, 07.11.2012, 13:52
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Are arguments of the form "what if everyone did that?" valid or not?

People often oppose some possible exception to the rules on the grounds that if everyone acted that way, the results would be terrible. For example, suppose that an honest and diligent student is in the hospital, and he wants to keep up with his...
Anonymous, 07.11.2012, 15:41
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Is it wrong to have a romantic relationship with a married person?

In Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged," Dagny Taggart had an affair with Hark Rearden, knowing that he was married. How should those actions be judged in real life? Clearly, Hank's cheating was dishonest and wrong. Was Dagny wrong to pursue the...
Zahra, 16.11.2012, 21:21
0 comments
6 votes Vote

How can I refuse solicitations for gifts for co-workers?

I work in a department of about thirty people. In the past few months, we have been asked to contribute money to buy gifts for co-workers -- for engagements, baby showers, bereavement flowers, and Christmas gifts for the department chair,...
Elisa, 29.11.2012, 16:57
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Is an armed society a civil or uncivil society?

Author Robert Heinlein famously said that "An armed society is a polite society." Many liberals, however, fear an armed society as barbaric and violent. Is widespread ownership and/or carry of arms a positive or a negative feature of a society?
Trey Peden, 17.12.2012, 15:26
1 comment
6 votes Vote

Is "The Golden Rule" a valid and useful principle of ethics?

In past podcasts, you've mentioned that you consider "The Golden Rule" -- meaning, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" -- as flawed. What are some of the problems with this rule? Does it have any value?
Larry Samuels, 31.12.2012, 09:24
1 comment
6 votes Vote

Should a person injured by a stolen gun be permitted to sue the original owner thereof for damages?

Imagine that a person's firearm is stolen, then used in a crime to injure an innocent person. Can the crime victim sue the owner of the gun for damages? Would it matter if the gun was left in plain sight or not locked away? Would it matter if...
David Wood, 09.01.2013, 14:39
2 comments
6 votes Vote

Should alimony payments upon divorce be abolished?

Traditionally, a man was obliged to financially support his ex-wife upon divorce. Recent reforms have decreased the amount and duration of alimony in some states, as well as made it gender neutral (in theory). But are such payments ever...
Robert, 10.02.2013, 17:40
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Is it wrong to walk away from a person who suffers from repeated medical emergencies due to their own irresponsibility?

Over a year ago, I was the tenant of a type-1 diabetic who refused to eat properly. As a result, I regularly had to call the ambulance for her, as she would allow her blood-sugar to drop to dangerous levels, such that she couldn't think or move...
Benjamin, 10.04.2013, 13:43
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Should marital infidelity be illegal?

Many states, including Colorado, have laws against marital infidelity on the books. These laws are rarely if ever enforced. Politicians often attempt to repeal them, but those attempts are often unsuccessful. Many people think that the...
Anonymous, 23.04.2013, 12:16
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Is studying philosophy in academia a waste?

I have a strong interest in Objectivism, and I'd like to learn more about philosophy. However, my experience taking philosophy classes has been horrible. I'd like a class in which (1) I can trust the professor's objectivity enough to enjoy a...
Daniel Golliher, 18.06.2013, 16:57
1 comment
6 votes Vote

Should a person be prosecuted for property damage when committed to rescue the property owner's pet from harm or death?

Recently, I heard a story about a man who smashed the window of a stranger's car in order to rescue a dog left inside. It was a very hot day, and the dog would have died or suffered brain damage if it had not been rescued. Was it moral for the...
Adam, 13.07.2013, 03:40
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Is it morally wrong to profit from someone else's distress?

People often decry "taking advantage" of other people as cruel and wrong. For example, suppose that a person desperately needs water, and I charge him $1000 for a gallon from my tap, knowing that he can pay that much if he's really that...
Adam, 31.10.2013, 12:15
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Should my romantic partner be interested in and supportive of my accomplishments and pursuits?

I have struggled for years in a relationship with someone who shows no interest in or support for my pursuits. I try not to be hurt. I tell myself I just need to do better in order to be worthy of respect and admiration. When I do explain to my...
Jessica, 17.11.2013, 13:10
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Should voters attempt to "buy time" for liberty by voting for Republican candidates?

Often, supporters of capitalism are told that they need to "buy time" in order to advocate for liberty -- meaning: they should vote for Republicans to stave off disaster and allow time to persuade the public of the nature and value of freedom....
Andrew, 22.12.2013, 22:05
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Do dog owners violate rights by allowing their dogs to poop on others' lawns?

I live in a residential urban area along with many dog owners. On a daily basis, I observe those dog owners allowing their dogs to defecate on other peoples' lawns. I view this action as a trespass and violation of property rights, whether or not...
Michael, 25.01.2014, 12:41
1 comment
6 votes Vote

Can evil be requited with good?

Christians claim that evil can and ought to be requited with good. So in "Les Miserables", the Bishop inspired Jean Valjean to reform by telling the police that he willingly gave Jean the silver plate (and added the candlesticks) even though Jean...
Anonymous, 13.03.2014, 17:33
1 comment
6 votes Vote

How can I convince myself that the grass isn't always greener on the other side?

I always think that the grass must be greener on the other side of the fence. Whatever subject I study, I think about all the other subjects I'm not studying. Whatever work I'm doing, I think about all the other work I'm not getting done. Whatever...
Adam, 25.04.2014, 08:52
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Are some people unworthy of the truth?

"Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it", said Mark Twain in his Notebook (1902). Is that true? Does that justify lying -- or merely withholding information?
Hugh Myers, 18.06.2014, 09:16
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Why is Ayn Rand's ethics better than that of Jesus?

I was recently invited to participate in a live student debate at a local church on the topic, "Who Was the Better Moral Philosopher: Ayn Rand or Jesus?". The audience will be mostly Christian or neutral: there will only be a handful of people...
Ben Doublett, 28.07.2014, 08:38
1 comment
6 votes Vote

Is it wrong to use racist epithets to insult the truly evil?

A now-former Facebook friend used a racist epithet in reference to Islamic terrorists. I asked him if he understood that it was a racist term and he said he did and said that he used it on purpose to insult those evil-doers because they are so...
Muck Raker, Esq., 24.10.2014, 08:25
0 comments
6 votes Vote

Should I pursue a career that interests me even if I don't have much aptitude for it?

I have a strong interest in the field of bioengineering for what it can potentially accomplish. However, in my own estimation, I have little aptitude for hard science and seriously doubt whether I can succeed academically in the areas necessary...
Donovan Bailey, 23.12.2014, 08:48
1 comment
6 votes Vote

Does intuition have any validity?

Intuition is defined as "the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning." Assuming that we're not talking about mystical insight, is this possible? When, if ever, should a person rely on such intuitions?...
Anonymous, 03.02.2015, 07:56
1 comment
6 votes Vote

Are waivers to rights-violating laws good or bad?

There are many examples of immoral laws in which the government initiates force against individuals. There are also many examples of groups of people being carved out of the application of such laws via "waivers." Some waivers are based on...
Andrew, 01.04.2015, 15:33
1 comment
5 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
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

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

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