All posts by Alex Wigger

The Role of Government During a Health Crisis with Onkar Ghate and Greg Salmieri

March 27, 2020PodcastAyn Rand, Ayn Rand Institute, Coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, government, life, Objectivism, pandemic, Philosophy, rightsAlex Wigger

Governments are taking unprecedented measures to restrict travel and shut down businesses in order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Politicians are justifying these measures by invoking emergency, even wartime, powers. What is the proper role of government during a health crisis like this one? What values should guide us in thinking about proper policy in regard to life and death issues, especially in an individualistic society?

Join us for another special episode of Philosophy for Living on Earth to get clarity on these questions. Onkar Ghate and Gregory Salmieri will join us and add their perspective.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:32:35 — 84.8MB)

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The Pandemic and the Economy with Yaron Brook and Rob Tarr

March 25, 2020Podcastbailout, capitalism, Coronavirus, COVID-19, debt, economy, money, pandemic, Philosophy, stock marketAlex Wigger

With the stock market now crashing and many people facing unemployment in the wake of the ongoing pandemic, governments are reacting with a variety allegedly aimed at stabilizing the markets and promoting economic security.

What effects will these measures have on the economy? Will they address the root causes of the crash or might they aggravate the situation further?

In this special episode of Philosophy for Living on Earth, finance and economics specialists Yaron Brook and Rob Tarr join us to answer these questions from a rational perspective.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:16:43 — 70.3MB)

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Is There a Rational Morality? by Ben Bayer

March 19, 2020PodcastAyn Rand, choice, ethics, life, morality, Objectivity, Philosophy, reality, reason, thinkingAlex Wigger

Most people think about morality as a set of commandments handed down by a god. Others believe we can get moral guidance by consulting our own feelings of sympathy for the needs and desires of other people.

Are these the only two options? Does morality have to be based on faith in a higher dimension or on feelings for others on Earth?

Those who believe morality is based on either faith or feelings assume there can be no rational basis for morality. Is that true? Are there no observable facts by which we can decide what’s the right and wrong way to live?

Join Ben Bayer and explore the question: Is there a rational morality?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:20 — 56.2MB)

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Thinking Philosophically About the Pandemic with Onkar Ghate and Gregory Salmieri

March 18, 2020PodcastCoronavirus, COVID-19, disease, emergency, epidemic, health, medicine, Objectivism, pandemic, quarantine, virusAlex Wigger

The COVID-19 pandemic and the responses to it from both business and government are now dominating the headlines and overwhelming our lives. As we all begin to grapple with the wide-ranging effects of both the disease and the steps being taken to fight it, there’s a need to take a step back and survey the situation with a philosophic eye.

This week is a special episode of Philosophy for Living on Earth. Onkar Ghate and Greg Salmieri discuss how philosophy can help guide our thinking about the impact of the pandemic on our lives, our economy, and about our government’s response to it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:30:59 — 83.3MB)

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