Tag Archives: rights

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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Is Privilege Real? by Gregory Salmieri

February 26, 2020Podcastconcepts, fairness, history, Justice, Philosophy, principles, privilege, race, rights, systemsphilosophy-for-living-on-earth

Many people believe that privilege—the idea that special rights or advantages are available only to a particular person or group—is a problem. While there are advantages, such as the wealth and location of one’s parents, that are not a choice, there are reasons to be skeptical about whether or not privilege is a problem. For example, many United States immigrants start with nothing, but succeed through hard work.

Does the concept of privilege only apply in a specific context? How does it apply to issues of race?

Join David Birnbaum as he interviews philosopher Gregory Salmieri on the question: Is privilege real?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:19 — 60.7MB)

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Is Abortion Immoral? by Ben Bayer

February 19, 2020Podcastabortion, Ayn Rand, Ben Bayer, biology, birth, decision, ethics, life, rights, roe v wadephilosophy-for-living-on-earth

Abortion is an important issue consistently in the public discourse. What makes it so persistent? Should there be any legal limit on abortion? Much of the discussion about abortion revolves around differing views of when life begins. Is there something significantly different about an entity before and after it’s born?

Join David Birnbaum as he interviews philosopher Ben Bayer on the question: Is abortion immoral?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:28 — 59.0MB)

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