Thinking Out Loud Podcast
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Join Steve Donaldson and his citizen philosopher guests for weekly discussions on topics that vex our souls. What is love? What is evil? Does free will exist? These are just a few of the questions we examine in this on-going series of philosophical dialogues with everyday people.
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http://www.citizenphilosopher.com/
What is Love?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Jan 28, 2007
Ten thoughtful and caring individuals from various walks of life join moderator, Steve Donaldson, in an intellectually stimulating and philosophically insightful discussion on the nature of love. Steve's guests in this discussion were: Adele Abrahamse, Carole Abel, David Rood, Jeff Johnson, Jerry Huml, John Tytus, Ken Thompson, Mike Grosso, Scott Van Bergen, Steve Semienick. Music by David Rood.
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What is Evil?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Feb 04, 2007
Nine thoughtful and caring individuals from various walks of life join moderator, Steve Donaldson, in an intellectually stimulating and philosophically insightful discussion on the nature of evil. This weeks guests were: Ariel MacLean, Carole Abel, Jeff Johnson, Jen Benedict, Jerry Huml, Mike Grosso, Scott Van Bergen, Tony Potter, Uriah J. Fields. Music by David Rood.
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Is Free Will an Illusion?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Feb 11, 2007
This is the third in our on-going series of philosophical podcasts. The topic is free will. Is it real? How free are we? How do we decide what we decide? Join 11 citizen philosophers and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. My guests this time were: Alma Cunningham, Bob Miller, Carole Abel, David Rood, Jeff Johnson, Jerry Huml, John Tytus, Ken Thompson, Mike Grosso, Steve Semienick, Zeke Hanchak. Music provided by David Rood. The topic of our next podcast will be, "How Has Technology Changed Us?". Stay tuned.
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How Has Technology Changed Us?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Feb 18, 2007
This is the fourth in our on-going series of philosophical podcasts. The topic is technology and its impact on humanity. How has technology changed us? Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Has technology made us stronger or has it created dependency and enabled individual weakness? How has it affected our self identities and our values? Join 10 citizen philosophers and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. My guests this week are: Alma Cunningham, Ariel MacLean, Carole Abel, Jeff Johnson, Jerry Huml, John Tytus, Ken Thompson, Matt Komoroski, Scott Van Bergen, Zeke Hanchak. Music provided by David Rood. The topic of our next podcast will be, "Why Marriage?". Stay tuned.
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Why Marriage?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Feb 25, 2007
This is the fifth in our on-going series of philosophical podcasts. The topic is the changing attitudes toward marriage. What is the purpose of marriage? How has the role of marriage changed over time? What is its function today? What are the religious, political, and personal implications of marriage? Join citizen philosophers Alma Cunningham, Adele Abrahamse, Ken Thompson, Ray Smith, Scott Van Bergen, Zeke Hanchak and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Finding Your True Self
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Mar 04, 2007
This is the sixth in our on-going series of philosophical podcasts. The topic is how can we find our true self. Do we have multiple selves? How is our public self different from our private self? When are we most ourselves? How does our self change with time and circumstance? Are we the same person we were 10 years ago? Join citizen philosophers Ariel MacLean, Carole Abel, John Tytus, Scott Van Bergen, Steve Semienick, Uriah J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Understanding Others
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Mar 11, 2007
This is the seventh in our on-going series of philosophical podcasts. The topic is how can we truly understand another person. Join citizen philosophers Carole Abel, David Rood, Dee Bezoier, John Tytus, Karen Lawmen, Mike Grosso, Scott Van Bergen and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Political Self-Determination
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Mar 18, 2007
This is the eighth in our on-going series of philosophical podcasts. The topic is political self-determination. What are the rights and limitations of groups seeking political independence? Should any group be granted the right to form their own state? When is it appropriate for a nation to break up into smaller nations? When is it desirable for smaller nations to join into a greater union of states? How can conflicting ambitions of larger and smaller group identities be reconciled? Join citizen philosophers David Rood, Karen Lawmen, Steve Semienick and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. The guest moderator for this podcast was Ken Thompson. Music provided by David Rood.
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What is Legitimate Authority?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Mar 25, 2007
This is the ninth in our on-going series of philosophical podcasts. The topic is legitimate authority. What is authority? Is there such a thing as legitimate authority? Where does authority come from? How is it empowered? Does legitimate authority require consent? What constitutes abuse of authority? Join citizen philosophers Carole Abel, David Rood, John Tytus, Scott Van Bergen and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Children of Our Culture
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Apr 01, 2007
This is the tenth in our on-going series of philosophical podcasts. The topic is "How has the cultural experiment of the last three generations affected the children of today?" The grownups of today seem to be still trying to find themselves. Where has that left our children? Are they to find their own way? Have we made a Faustian bargain turning parenting over to TV-baby-sitting, mainstream education, and behavior management by prescription drugs, so grownups can have more time to pursue their careers, their pleasures, and propel the economy? Will the outcome be a brave new cultural paradigm born out of the rebellious subculture of resilient young souls or have we set the course for our own social destruction? Join citizen philosophers John Tytus, Ophelia and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Human Conflict
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Apr 08, 2007
This is the eleventh in our on-going series of philosophical podcasts. The topic is "What is the nature of human conflict?" Where does confict come from? Is conflict inevitable? Is confict always bad? How can conficts be resolved? Is there any connection between internal conficts and external conflicts? Join citizen philosophers Carole Abel, David Rood, Galen Chadwick, Jnanam MacIsaac, John Tytus, Ophelia and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Inconvenient Truths
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Apr 15, 2007
This is the twelfth in our on-going series of philosophical podcasts. The topic is "How can we overcome obstacles to seeing inconvenient truths?" What are the obstacles to seeing a truth that might cause us distress? How can we guard against deception and denial? What is objectivity? What role does our culture play in what we take to be true? What is the government's role? What effect do other major institution have on our perception - the institutions of science, education, religion, news organizations, and entertainment media? Where can we turn for objectivity? What internal resources do we have to test for truthfulness? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, Carole Abel, Jerry Huml, Jill Hacker, John Tytus, Ken Thompson, U.J. Fields, Tim Grubbs and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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What is Philosophy?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Apr 22, 2007
In this episode of our on-going series of philosophical podcasts, we explore the question, "What is philosophy?". Is it just "the love of wisdom?" Is it the pursuit of wisdom? Is it teachings on how to pursue wisdom? What are the goals of philosophy? Is philosophy a science? Is it an art? How does philosophy differ from religiion? What are the limits of philosophy and what are the rules, if any? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, Carole Abel, Jerry Huml, John Tytus, Mike Grosso, U.J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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What is Wisdom?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Apr 29, 2007
What are the distinguishing qualities of wisdom? Is wisdom a kind of knowledge? If so, how does it differ from other forms of knowledge? Is it also a kind of art or skill? Where does wisdom come from? How can we, how do we, recognize wisdom? Can wisdom be taught or can it only be cultivated? How can we cultivate wisdom in ourselves and others? Join citizen philosophers Alex Patterson, Billie Lagerwerff, Cathy Polly, Jerry Huml, John Tytus, Mike Grosso, Paul Beckert, U.J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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What is Happiness?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, May 06, 2007
What do we know about happiness? Is it satisfaction, excitement, pleasure, all of the above or in a category by itself? Does happiness depend on circumstances, or can one be happy under any circumstance? What are the obstacles to happiness? How do we explain the transitory, fleeting nature of happiness? Are there different kinds of happiness and are they all desirable? What is the relationship between happiness and intoxication? Are we at risk of losing motivation should we attain lasting happiness? Is happiness a destination or is a property of the path? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, Carole Abel, Derek Breen, John Tytus, Ken Thompson, Mike Grosso, Paul Beckert, U.J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Suffering and Creativity
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, May 13, 2007
They say "you have to suffer, to sing the blues." Does suffering stimulate creativity? Are pain and suffering necessary ingredients of creation? How much is sufficient? How much is too much? Can one be creativity without pain and suffering? What are the distinctions between pain and suffering? Does suffering always lead to creativity? Is the relationship always one of cause and effect? What role does sensitivity play in the relationship between suffering and creativity? Are there times when self-numbing is preferable to self-expression? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, Derek Breen, Jason Varsoke, John Tytus, Ken Thompson, Mike Grosso, Paul Beckert, U.J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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The Nature of Sacrifice
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, May 20, 2007
What does it mean sacrifice? Who is sacrifice for? What are the expectations that come with sacrifice? Where does the call to sacrifice come from? How can we distinguish between noble sacrifices and sinister calls to sacrifice disguised as noble? How do the concepts of duty and honor relate to sacrifice? Is sacrifice voluntary? What motivates a mother to sacrifice for her children or a soldier for his country? How can the instinct to sacrifice be abused and manipulated by propaganda and other means? What are we to make of the kamikaze pilots of World War II and the suicide bombers of the Middle East today? What does it mean to be a martyr and who decides? What about sacrifices made daily without notice? What roles do our lesser self and our greater Self play in motivating sacrifice? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, Carole Abel, Jnanam MacIsaac, John Loy, John Tytus, Ken Thompson and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Power, Justice, and Morality
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, May 27, 2007
This is a special edition of Thinking Out Loud, which you might call Thinking Out Loud - One on One. Due to the threat of a winter storm, only one brave citizen philosopher showed up at the scheduled meeting time. I decided to postpone the scheduled topic, "How do we fool ourselves?", for next time when more could attend. While waiting to see if anyone else would show up this time, U.J. Fields and I just happened to start talking about power and justice. It sounded promising, so I turned on the microphone. Here is that conversation. Music provided by David Rood.
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Has Science Hit a Wall?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Jun 03, 2007
Modern physics introduced the concepts of the Uncertainty Principle, Probability Waves, and Black Hole Horizons beyond which we cannot see. Do these findings signify permanent, insurmountable limits to further progress in physics? If physics is the most fundamental of the sciences, are the other sciences equally limited as a consequence? What does this do to our faith in science as our institution of truth and understanding? Are there ways around these limitations? Are there other, more troubling limitations built into the structure of the institution of science itself? Does the present nature of the institution of science itself need to change to break the impasse? What role does culture play in the rise and fall of our faith in science? What role does politics play in the integrity of science? Are our current practices of science education conducive to producing the next Einstein? Have we passed our peak, or are we on the verge of a monumental breakthrough? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, John Tytus and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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How do we fool ourselves?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Jun 10, 2007
What do we mean when we say someone is fooling oneself? Is one part of the self fooling another part of the self? Is our self really multiple selves? Who is is the fooler and who is the fooled? Is it necessarily a bad thing to fool oneself? How universal is self-deception? Can it ever be avoided? What are the harmful effects of fooling oneself? What are the benefits? What is the relationship between disillusionment and personal growth? What factors tend to prolong illusions? What factors help one see past the veil of illusions? What is the difference between being deluded and being creatively optimistic? Does disillusionment stifle creativity and productivity? Does it open one up to a deeper truth? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, David Rood, George Garrett, John Tytus, Mike Grosso and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Limits to Knowledge
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Jun 17, 2007
Are there any limits to knowledge? What is knowledge? Must you be able to prove something in order to know it? What is the role of experience? What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? What role does environment play in limiting knowledge? How does reason interact with knowledge? How can we evaluated knowledge for its validity? What are the different ways of knowing? Is secondhand knowledge really knowledge? What about mystical experiences? How does public knowledge differ from private knowledge? Do the different kinds of knowledge have different limits? How much knowledge do we really need? Join citizen philosophers Derek Breen, John Tytus, Ken Thompson and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Obstacles to Wisdom
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Jun 24, 2007
Where does wisdom come from? Is it a given or is it acquired? What is the role of literature? How does one recognize wisdom literature? Is it necessary to have a teacher? How can the unwise distinguish between a wise teacher and the false prophet? How does the company you keep facilitate or obstruct the path to wisdom? Is it more conducive to engage or to withdraw? What about age and experience as teachers? Is there a hierarchy of wisdom corresponding to different levels of development or enlightenment? How do fear, complacency, and arrogance affect the cultivation of wisdom? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, John Tytus, Mike Grosso, Uriah J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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How to participate
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Jul 01, 2007
Starting this month, July, 2007, we will be switching from a weekly release schedule to a monthly schedule tied to our live recording sessions. Our live recording sessions are scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm. We would like to encourage your paricipation in our dialogues in these live sessions. You can do so by connecting to our live sessions using special software that makes use of Voice Over Internet technology. The software is free and is called Skype. To contribute, you will need to have a microphone connected to your computer. To just listen in, all you need are your computer speakers or earphones. You can download the Skype software from www.skype.com. Thinking Out Loud and CitizenPhilosopher have no affiliation with Skype accept as a satisfied end user. If you have any questions for me or comments to share, please post them on our web site at www.citizenphilosopher.com.
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America's Democracy
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Jul 08, 2007
As we celebrate America's 231st birthday, we ask ourselves what do we think of America's experiment in democratic self-governing? Has it turned out as planned? Is it functioning as it is supposed to? What is the function of democratic government? What are the risks in adopting a democratic form of government? How is America's democracy different from other democracies? How has it changed over the last two centuries? What developments, unforeseen by the original architects, are now interfering with the founding principles? What are the founding principles of our democracy? How are we to evaluate the health of a democracy? How does one cure an ailing democracy? What are the obstacles to maintaining a healthy democracy? Do we need to develop, invent, or evolve a new, more advanced form of government to overcome the ills of the older form? What might a more enlighten/mature form of government look like? How could it come into being? Would the older form of government need to be dismantled, or could the new be added on top of the old? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, Derek Breen, John Tytus, Ken Thompson and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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The Nature of Addiction
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Aug 05, 2007
What is addiction? What are the similarities and distinctions between addictions, habits, compulsions, urges, and drives? Are addictions primarily physical or psychological? How do we develop addictions? Do addictions serve a purpose? What is the relationship between addiction and pain and suffering? Are all addictions bad? Can one become addicted to love or religion? Is there a transcendent element to addiction? Is intoxication necessarily an addiction? Is there a connection between the natural drives, such as sex and eating, and addictions? How do our emotions play into addiction? How much choice is involved in addiction? How does a behavior, that in some remains just episodic, become chronic in others? How can addictions be cured? Can addictions be broken voluntarily? What is the mechanism of the vicious circle? Is there a cultural component to addictions? Are some addictions actually encouraged in some cultures for the benefit of society at the expense of the individual? Join citizen philosophers George Garret, Mike Grosso, Uriah J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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What is Religion?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Sep 09, 2007
Is religion the antithesis of philosophy? What do they have in common? How are they different? What are the origins of religion? What is the "religious experience"? How do interpretation, doctrine, and dogma enter into religion? Does man's search for meaning inevitably lead to religion? How does religion provide meaning? What is the role of the church and its hierarchy of priests? What are the dangers of religion? Where is the line between religious instruction and involuntary indoctrination? How is spirituality different from religion? What is the role of religion in community formation and maintenance? What can science and philosophy learn from religion? Can religions evolve? Is it still possible for altogether new world religions to come into being? Can a synthesis emerge out of the collision of science, philosophy, and conflicting world religions? What could art, literature, and poetry add to such a synthesis? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, George Garret, John Tytus, Mike Grosso, Steven Stokes and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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What is Mysticism?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Oct 07, 2007
What is mysticism? Why should we believe reports of mystical experiences? What do we mean by the term, "mystical experience"? How can we distinguish between mystical experiences and psychotic experiences or other abnormal psychological phenomenon? Is the mystical experience an experience of a higher state of consciousness? Among the great variety of altered states of consciousness, how are we to judge which is higher or lower than another? What are the distinguishing characteristics that set mystical experiences apart? Is deja vu a mystical experience? What is the relationship between mystical experience and ecstasy? Can drug intoxication induce mystical experiences? Is a loss of a sense of self, always an indication of a mystical experience? Is mysticism a skill that can be taught? What are the benefits of mysticism? Does one gain supernatural powers from being in a mystical state? What are we to make of reports of levitation? Is mysticism at odds with science? What can one see while in a mystical state, that one cannot see otherwise? How does mystical insight affect the way one lives one's life? Is the mystical experience always sudden and intense? Does it have to be a so called "peak experience"? Can the mystical state also be obtained by a gradual process? Will a healthy mind in a healthy environment, naturally progress to a higher state of consciousness given sufficient time to mature? Do age and life experience help create the conditions conducive to mystical awareness? As we reflect deeply on everyday experiences, are they not also mystical? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, John Tytus, Mike Grosso, Steven Stokes, Uriah J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Friendship vs Honesty
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Nov 11, 2007
To whom or what do we have the greater obligation, a friend or the principle of honesty? Is it okay to lie to avoid hurting a friend's feelings? Is it okay to lie to protect a friend from physical harm? What about for profit or simply to avoid embarrassment? What is "situational ethics" and does it apply here? In situational ethics, if there are no universal rules that apply to every situation, what criteria should we use? Who is and is not a friend? Do friends ask friends to lie? Does friendship imply obligation? Where do obligations come from? Are obligations externally imposed or internally chosen? What are the boundaries of friendship? Is telling the truth always a virtue? Is it friendlier to be discrete or to confront? What are the alternatives? Who owns the truth? Does one have the right to demand of another that they keep private information private? Does one have the right to impose the truth on someone who does not want to hear it? Is there a gender difference in the level of confidentiality expected in a friendship? At what point is it right to end a friendship to protect one's principles? Can civil laws resolve conflicting virtues? Should confidentiality laws always be obeyed? Is there a higher law to resolve conflicts of virtues? If so, what is it? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, Deborah Martin, George Garrett, John Tytus, Steven Stokes, Uriah J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Peace on Earth
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Dec 09, 2007
Why is this longstanding human desire taking so long? Is there something peculiar about mankind? Is human aggression different from aggression we see in nature? Where does aggression come from? How is individual violence different from the collective violence of war? How does collective action give "permission" for violence committed by individuals? Why don't individuals simply refuse to commit violence even when given permission by nations at war? Is it realistic to hope for eventual universal individual enlightenment as a solution? How does group identity and ideology justify aggression? Is war ever justified? Are wars of self-defense any better than wars of aggression? Are there longstanding peaceful nations we can look toward as role models? Can weaker nations enjoy peace only when the stronger nations dominate the conflicts? How is technology changing the balance of power among nations and other smaller organizations or groups? Is it possible to transform aggressor nations or groups? Do inequality of resources and real or perceived injustices justify aggression? Are nations just behaving like living, growing organisms with legitimate needs for resources? Are there sufficient avenues to address basic needs by nonviolent means? Would self-imposed population control be sufficient to end conflict? What can be done about the increasing appetites of the developed nations? Can a common global threat unite otherwise hostile people? Might the increasingly dire, global climate crisis be such a threat? Join citizen philosophers Derek Breen, Deborah Martin, Steven Stokes and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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What Is Your Conscience?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Jan 06, 2008
Is our conscience that voice inside our head, telling us what to do? Is there only one voice? How can we tell which voice is our conscience and which is the little devil on our shoulder? Can meditation help us hear the right voice? Is our conscience a voice in our head or a feeling in our gut? Is our conscience culturally acquired or innately present? When Huck Finn was running away with his slave, Jim, what was his conscience saying? Was it a reliable guide? Is our conscience a passive resource to be consulted or an active agent that intrudes itself upon us? Rather than an instrument providing an answer, could it be just an innate drive to grapple with the question? Are pangs of guilt a reliable indicator of wrong-doing? Does our conscience speak to us on multiple levels? Which is more reliable, our gut, our heart, or our head? How do we reconcile these multiple "voices" with the fact that we are really just one being? How does empathy relate to conscience? How universal is the conscience? Why do some individual get different answers from their conscience than someone else in the same situation? To what extent is our conscience programmed by our upbringing and our culture? Does the conscience mature with life experience? Are there universal stages of development for the conscience? Is our current narcissistic society and culture of rudeness a result of a lack of proper moral or ethical nurturing? Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, David Rood, Deborah Martin, George Garrett, John Tytus, Steven Stokes and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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What is the Nature of Atonement?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Feb 10, 2008
Is there something universal about atonement that explains why it seems to be a part of so many religious, spiritual, and personal growth practices? Is it prerequisite for a joyful life? What are the essential elements of atonement? Is the acknowledgement and confession of wrongdoing sufficient? Is it necessary to "make things right"? Can there be atonement in situations where damage cannot be undone? Are words and feelings sufficient? Is action required? Is payment necessary for atonement? Is payment sufficient? What is the role of the wronged party? What if the wronged party chooses not to forgive or cannot forgive? What if the wronged party is no longer living? With whom do we need to make things right? What is the role of a guilty conscience? Is atonement a selfish act to attain inner peace? What is the proper motivation for atonement? What about situations where the wrong is done by one group of people against another group of people collectively? Can one and should one atone for the actions of others? Are we responsible for the actions of your ancestors? Are we responsible for the action of our government? Can we choose to accept responsibility for the action of others, as an act of will? Do we need to atone for the damage being done to the planet as a whole? What debt do we inherit from those who proceed us? Whom do we owe? Whom can we pay? Join citizen philosophers David Rood, Deborah Martin, Uriah J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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What are our human responsibilities?
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Mar 09, 2008
Where do responsibilities come from? Are they imposed upon us by our culture? Are there any responsibilities that are innate and universal? To whom are we responsible? Are we first and foremost responsible to ourselves? Do we have a responsibility to be authentic? Do we have a responsibility to grow - "to become our best self"? Do we have a responsibility to be introspective - "Know thyself"? Do we have any fundamental responsibility to others? Is our responsibility to others merely passive (do no harm) or is it also proactive (be of service)? Are we "our bother's keeper"? Does our responsibility to others extend beyond our culture? Is being responsible the same as being moral? Do we all have the same responsibilities? Are knowledge and ability prerequisites for responsibility? Do our responsibilities change as we grow older and more aware? How does our personal responsibility relate to our collective responsibility? (Watch for a future episode on "What is Collective Responsibility?") Join citizen philosophers Billie Lagerwerff, Deborah Martin, George Garrett, John Tytus, Steven Stokes, Uriah J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Collective Responsibility
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, Apr 06, 2008
What is collective responsibility? Does an individual have a responsibility to the collective? Does the collective have a responsibility to the individual? Is there really such a thing as "the collective"? Is the whole really greater than the sum of its parts? Are there not just individuals? On the other hand, is there really such a thing as a truly separate individual? Are we not all interconnected? Does accepting the benefits of group membership automatically impose some responsibilities on the individual toward the group? Does membership impart responsibility for the decisions of the group even if a particular member disagreed with those decisions? Must one renounce membership in a group in order to be absolved of collective responsibility for the group? If you are a member of a team, what are your responsibilities toward the other team members? What is your responsibility toward the team as a whole? What is your responsibility toward the mission of the team? What if these responsibilities conflict? What role does group identity play in collective responsibility? Are we responsible for decisions of collectives that we inherit such as previous generations or previous administrations? Is there not a distinction between assuming responsibility and assigning responsibility? Can responsibility be coerced? Doesn't responsibility have to be voluntary on at least some level, for it to be true responsibility? Does collective responsibility necessarily mean sacrificing individuality? How is the welfare of the individual related to the good of the group? Does membership in a group dilute individual responsibility? What is the role of dissent in a group and how does it relate to collective responsibility? Is not the final measure of responsibility in the action that is taken? Are we not today facing problems on such a scale that collective global action will be required for our very survival? Are we capable of exercising such collective responsibility? Join citizen philosophers Betsy, Billie Lagerwerff, David Rood, Deborah Martin, John Tytus, Stephen Whiteman, Steven Stokes, Uriah J. Fields and myself in this stimulating and insightful discussion. Music provided by David Rood.
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Good Philosophical Conversation
Author: Steve Donaldson
Sun, May 11, 2008
What makes a subject philosophical? What makes a conversation style philosophical? What is required for effective conversation of any kind? Is a cooperative style better than a confrontational style in philosophical discussi |