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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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

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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

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

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5 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

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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

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

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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

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5 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

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5 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

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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

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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

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5 votes Vote

Can people with divergent political views enjoy a good romantic relationship?

Some of my liberal friends won't date conservatives, and some of my conservative friends are horrified at the thought of dating a liberal. Is that reasonable? Since I'm in favor of free markets, should I only date other advocates of free...

Diana Hsieh, 31.12.2012, 20:26

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5 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

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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

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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

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

5 votes Vote

Is it wrong for an atheist to pray?

I used to be a Christian, but I've not believed in God for many years. However, I still pray when I'm under stress, even though I know that it doesn't accomplish anything. What's the harm in praying to a non-existent being?

Anonymous, 18.05.2012, 09:51

1 comment

5 votes Vote

How should I respond to an unwanted gift given by my in-laws?

My in-laws often give me presents that I don't much like -- like frumpy boring sweaters and books I'll never read. I thank them kindly for the present, but I'm not effusive in my praise. Recently, they gave me something really pretty...

Anonymous, 31.05.2012, 11:02

1 comment

5 votes Vote

What should a student do when he thinks his professors intellectually inferior?

The idea is i'm aiming at is how to learn from a teacher whom shows no genuine interest in the fundamental aspects of knowledge in terms of it's fundamentals. For instance, I had a teacher whom never asked us to question the merit of given...

steve nunez, 12.07.2012, 22:10

2 comments

5 votes Vote

What kinds of privacy can people reasonably expect online?

Online privacy is an increasing concern in the media and the culture. The FTC is working on redefining what companies are and are not allowed to do with data they collect online. But given that the internet functions by sending your data through...

Trey Peden, 27.07.2012, 07:47

1 comment

5 votes Vote

Does everything happen for a reason?

When confronted with some unwelcome turn of events, many people tell themselves that "everything happens for a reason." What does that mean -- and is it true? Is it harmless -- or does believing that have negative effects on a person's life?

Anonymous, 28.08.2012, 19:28

0 comments

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Is it wrong to buy a book containing sensitive military information?

The Pentagon claims that the new book "No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Bin Laden" reveals some potentially sensitive details about the operation. I'd really like to read about the mission, but I'm concerned that the...

Joe Reed, 12.09.2012, 19:41

1 comment

5 votes Vote

What should parents do if they regret ever having children?

In 2008, Nebraska permitted parents to abandon children of any age without penalty. As a result, quite a few older children were abandoned before the state changed the law. That shows that some parents deeply regret ever having children, and...

Anonymous, 21.09.2012, 08:58

1 comment

5 votes Vote

Am I wrong to be upset that I learned of my uncle's death via Facebook?

My uncle recently died. We weren't close, but I would have expected a phone call from my parents about it. Instead, I learned about his death via a Facebook status update from one of my cousins (not his child, but his niece). I've been really...

Anonymous, 11.10.2012, 08:45

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What should be done about third party payments in medicine?

I was fascinated by your statement in your November 7th, 2012 discussion of the election that the real need in medicine was to do away with third party payments. It's quite a radical proposal, one of the most radical I've heard from you. How would...

William H Stoddard, 14.11.2012, 09:17

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Is it wrong to refuse to share lecture notes with a lazy student?

A classmate of mine is nice enough but a bit odd. She's always at least 30 minutes late for lecture, and she doesn't come to lab sometimes. In lecture, she does not take notes but instead usually draws the whole class period. Today, she asked to...

Anne Haight, 16.10.2012, 19:41

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What's the difference between bitching about people and morally judging people?

I take the virtue of justice seriously: I try to be careful and objective in my moral judgments of others, and then I act on those judgments. However, I've found that most people don't do that. Instead, they bitch about other people out of...

Anonymous, 07.11.2012, 15:32

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Should people ask for permission or ask for forgiveness when breaking the rules?

People often say that "it's better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission" when excusing their own rule-breaking. I hate the phrase, but I can't put my finger on what's so objectionable about it. So what does the phrase mean? Is it right...

Anonymous, 13.11.2012, 21:21

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Is it moral to buy products from Chinese companies?

Recently I discovered several online companies based in China that sell clothing of reasonable quality for very low prices. I've made a few purchases, and I am happy with the items received. But I wonder: is it moral to purchase goods made in a...

Katarina, 13.11.2012, 12:52

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How can I say no to a friend's request to become a business partner?

Over the past several years, I developed a home craft business. Now that it is successful one of my friends wants to be involved. She sends messages asking to get together to discuss ideas for new products and expanding the business. However, I am...

Elisa, 26.11.2012, 18:46

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