Why is there a trend of deference among Chinese/Asian college students in their choice of major? Where does the trend of deference come from? ( 2 min. )
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Self vs. world: Which would you choose if you could only serve one? (excerpt from Episode 6)
If doing what’s best for oneself comes into conflict with what’s best for the world, which interest would you serve–your own or that of the world? Questioning the way one was raised. ( 1 min. )
College selfishness/altruism—or weakness? (excerpt from Episode 3)
Is it selfish to go to school? Selfishness and altruism in choosing one’s major. ( 3 min. )
A discussion with Prof. Bernard Molyneux about selfishness and egoism – Episode 20
Part 1: An example of a selfish action and the meaning of “selfish.” Utilitarianism, Kantianism, egoism. Building a shed for grandma. The nature of ethics: Is ethics only other-regarding? Where do our ideas of “the good” and “the bad” come from? Becoming more long-range. Blaring one’s music. What kind of society do we want to […]
Is creating art selfish? Would you do something that you didn’t expect to benefit you? – Episode 19
Is creating art selfish? How to define “selfishness.” What’s the motive behind your action: To benefit yourself? Others? Both? Would you do something that you didn’t expect to benefit you? If so, why, and how much time would you spend on it? What makes something the right/moral/ethical thing to do? Are good and bad relative? […]
Relationship selflessness/selfishness; asian selflessness – Episode 18
Selflessness/selfishness in relationships. Are we missing a word to describe actions that benefit oneself but that don’t hurt others? Asian selflessness in choosing a subject to major in in college. ( 14 min. )
How to understand the word “selfish,” yoga, and senses of “self” – Episode 17
One philosopher’s perspective on selfishness. The dictionary definition of “selfishness.” How to determine the right definition. Generic terms and subdivisions thereof (via adjectives). Selflessness. Judging selfishness/selflessness in the full context. Yoga, meditation, and selfishness. Senses of “self.” Using etymology (or word parts: “self” + “-ish”) to understand “selfish.” Stipulative/arbitrary meaning. ( 39 min. )
National self-interest and the public good – Episode 16
Does the concept of “self-interest” apply to nations as wholes rather than just individual people? If so, how? The public good. Individualism vs. collectivism (Plato/Hegel). ( 11 min. )
Selfishness and the military – Episode 15
Is joining the military selfless? ( 7 min. )
Selfishness and the law, eye for an eye – Episode 14
Selfishness, being a lawyer, and doing harm. Objective justice and self-interest. Harmonious selfishness. “Eye for an eye,” self-interest, and punishment. Public funding, individual liberty, and selfishness. ( 19 min. )