Ayn Rand Centre UK Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ayn Rand Centre UK
Panel discussions & debates on philosophy, psychology, culture, and politics, with leading intellectuals from around the world.
Youtube link: https://youtube.com/live/GfzMmRfq1q0
Please join us this October on the beautiful campus of Converse University in Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a three-day immersion in Romantic music and the visual arts, as noted Objectivist artists and intellectuals celebrate some of the greatest artworks from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Harry Binswanger, and he will be joined by nearly a dozen distinguished Objectivist art and musical experts.
Please visit our website for full program details:
https://www.ethospg.com/
Register by September 1st and save $200.
Jean Moroney joins Harry Binswanger to discuss how a fuller understanding of emotions enables you to think clearly under trying circumstances.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_C1xTNHXGE
Jean Moroney: About Jean Moroney - Thinking Directions
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/YbrYSmuQhxg
Soraya -Be Convinced! Sharing Lifechanging Stories of Hope
Host Soraya Coffelt shares lifechanging stories of hope to encourage and motivate you.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Smells Like Humans
Like spending time with funny friends talking about curious human behavior.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Discovery Matters
A collection of stories and insights on matters of discovery that advance life...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Smells Like Humans
Like spending time with funny friends talking about curious human behavior.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Discovery Matters
A collection of stories and insights on matters of discovery that advance life...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
HURRICANE CENTER
We talk with hurricane experts and communicators about hurricanes
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
The Podcast for Men's Mental & Physical Health
Simple lifestyle advice to help men and their families take action for better well-being.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Career Sweetspot
A Greenhouse Coaching podcast for career and leadership growth.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Smells Like Humans
Like spending time with funny friends talking about curious human behavior.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
A Million Other Choices
When my niece was murdered in 2018, my interest in true crime turned to an obsession. I...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Grits With a Side of Murder
A true crime podcast (with a dash of humor and a splash of alcohol). Produced out of...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Love, Marriage & Mayhem
Hilarious, heartfelt, embarrassing and brutally honest conversations.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Learn Spanish and Go Podcast
Learn intermediate Spanish through natural conversations about Latin culture and travel.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Love, Marriage & Mayhem
Hilarious, heartfelt, embarrassing and brutally honest conversations.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Love, Marriage & Mayhem
Hilarious, heartfelt, embarrassing and brutally honest conversations.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Love, Marriage & Mayhem
Hilarious, heartfelt, embarrassing and brutally honest conversations.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Love, Marriage & Mayhem
Hilarious, heartfelt, embarrassing and brutally honest conversations.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Love, Marriage & Mayhem
Hilarious, heartfelt, embarrassing and brutally honest conversations.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger
Whether you're an orthodontist, dentist or entrepreneur, this is a GREAT starting point.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts
No Need to Explain with the Mental Health Mamas
Parenting is hard. When you have a child who doesn’t fit neatly into a box, it can be...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
On The House with Spartan
Navigating the world of real estate and property management can be overwhelming and...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
On The House with Spartan
Navigating the world of real estate and property management can be overwhelming and...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Rossifari Podcast - Zoos, Aquariums, and Animal Conservation
The Rossifari Podcast brings my love of zoos, aquariums, and conservation organizations...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Scams & Cons
Why would anyone give thousands of dollars to a Nigerian prince? Or play a well-known...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Het Mag'er'zijn
Wij praten over taboes, zelfontwikkeling en hedendaags nieuws. Ook delen wij onze eigen...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
The Bamboo Lab
When you plant the seed of a Chinese Bamboo tree, you water it, you give it proper...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Het Mag'er'zijn
Wij praten over taboes, zelfontwikkeling en hedendaags nieuws. Ook delen wij onze eigen...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Choppin with Fire
The podcast that helps to improve on Self-development & Entrepreneurship.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Weiss Advice
Learning from the Best in Real Estate, Business, and Beyond.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Podcast Pontifications with Evo Terra
Questions every serious podcaster should be asking themselves to make podcasting better.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Podcast Pontifications with Evo Terra
Questions every serious podcaster should be asking themselves to make podcasting better.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Both Right and Left are wrong about evolution. Harry Binswanger clarifies the status of the theory and the field of "evolutionary psychology."
"Selfishness is a profoundly philosophical, conceptual achievement. Anyone who holds a tribal lone wolf as an image of selfishness, is merely confessing the perceptual nature of his own mental functioning.” Ayn Rand, "Selfishness Without a Self”
In this essay, Ayn Rand dives into what it means, and requires, to be truly selfish.
Don Watkins and James Valliant discuss.
Don Watkins and James Valliant discuss Ayn Rand's essay, "The Missing Link".
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
“There can be no compromise on basic principles or on fundamental issues. What would you regard as a “compromise” between life and death? Or between truth and falsehood? Or between reason and irrationality?” — Ayn Rand, "Doesn’t Life Require Compromise?”
Join Don Watkins and James Stevens Valliant as they discuss Ayn Rand’s essay, "Doesn’t Life Require Compromise?”, and explore questions around her view of compromise, and its various applications to the realm of work, relationships, personal choices, love, and more.
The session will be moderated by Nikos.
Read the essay here: https://courses.aynrand.org/works/doesnt-life-require-compromise/
“It is the metaphysically given that must be accepted: it cannot be changed. It is the man-made that must never be accepted uncritically: it must be judged, then accepted or rejected and changed when necessary.” — Ayn Rand, Philosophy: Who Needs It
Ayn Rand’s distinction between the metaphysically given and the man-made has been vital in helping us rationally approach issues of agency, moral responsibility, and the acceptance of reality, among others.
In this session, we will explore several questions around the metaphysically given and the man-made. For instance:
How does this distinction relate to moral responsibility?
What are the consequences of not properly distinguishing between the metaphysically given and the man-made? Why is it so important to do so?
How can we use this distinction to better understand human nature and what aspects of ourselves are in our control?
https://courses.aynrand.org/works/the...
It has been a year since COVID swept over the world, triggering numerous pauses and changes to life as it was normally lived.
Join us in our upcoming Meetup with Nikos, Annie Vinther Sanz, and Dr. Ellen Kenner as they reflect on their experience with the pandemic in their respective parts of the world, the perspectives that they’ve developed on it, and what emerged from it all.
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"Art is a concretization of metaphysics. Art brings man’s concepts to the perceptual level of his consciousness and allows him to grasp them directly, as if they were percepts.” Ayn Rand
Don Watkins and James Valliant discuss Rand’s essay The Psycho-Epistemology of Art, available for free here: https://campus.aynrand.org/works/1965...
“It is the basic, metaphysical fact of man’s nature—the connection between his survival and his use of reason—that capitalism recognizes and protects.” Ayn Rand, “What Is Capitalism?”
In this essay, Ayn Rand presents the most meticulous and cogent introduction, explanation, and defence of capitalism perhaps ever written, grounding it in a complete and integrated philosophical system.
Join us in our upcoming discussion with James Valliant and Don Watkins as we explore this essay and how her approach to capitalism—and politics and economics at large—differs from that of other advocates of capitalism.
https://courses.aynrand.org/works/wha...
It’s been almost a year since ARCUK made the best of a bad situation by transitioning online and significantly growing its content on various platforms during the lockdowns. We are very proud of what we have achieved so far, but the future of the Centre is not guaranteed. A strong fundraising campaign is crucial for our survival, and we are kicking it off in the most ceremonious way: with an all-star line-up of guests who will not only highlight the value of ARCUK, but also interact with us and share thoughts on the successful advocacy of Objectivism.
To support our work, visit https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
“The first question is not: What particular code of values should man accept? The first question is: Does man need values at all—and why?” Ayn Rand, “The Objectivist Ethics”
In this essay, Ayn Rand masterfully guides us through her revolutionary approach to ethics and moral values—starting with the question of why human beings need a moral code to begin with.
Join James Valliant and Nikos as we explore Ayn Rand’s essay and her approach to morality.
Full essay: https://courses.aynrand.org/works/the-objectivist-ethics/
“Now some of you might say, as many people do: ‘Aw, I never think in such abstract terms—I want to deal with concrete, particular, real-life problems—what do I need philosophy for?’ My answer is: In order to be able to deal with concrete, particular, real-life problems—i.e., in order to be able to live on earth.” Ayn Rand, Philosophy: Who Needs It
In this essay, Ayn Rand takes the reader on a clarifying tour of philosophy, covering: what philosophy is, why philosophy is relevant (and for whom), what the basic branches of philosophy are, and more.
Join our discussion with James Valliant & Don Watkins, where we will explore this essay and discuss why Rand’s approach to philosophy is unique, compared to some prominent approaches to philosophy both within and outside academia.
Full essay: https://courses.aynrand.org/works/philosophy-who-needs-it/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
The recent elections in America have triggered a polarising question: in the political division of Left and Right, is one side more evil than the other?
Among the many who have opined on this issue is Dr. Andrew Bernstein, in his article titled: “The Left is Vastly More Evil than Religious Conservatives.” This has been a controversial take, particularly in the Objectivist community, where it has been met with both vehement agreement and strong opposition.
However, a more essential question would be: does it matter whether one side of the political aisle is more evil than the other? To what extent, if any, are such identifications useful?
Dr Bernstein's essay: https://www.capitalismmagazine.com/2021/01/the-left-is-vastly-more-evil-than-religious-conservatives/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
“If a man from Mars—that is, an objective, let us say, uncorrupted intelligence—looked at the spectacle of the economic history of the 19th century, he would conclude that the so-called “robber barons” were the greatest humanitarians, the greatest benefactors of mankind that had ever lived…” Ayn Rand, The “Robber Barons”
In this radio interview from 1966, Ayn Rand defends the “robber barons” of the 19th century—industrialists who improved the standard of living of countless people. She also makes the case for distinguishing between successful businessmen who become rich by honest, versus dishonest means.
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
“I swear—by my life and my love of it—that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.” Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged, is a gargantuan work of fiction and philosophy, offering profound insights into morality, politics, love, sex, conflict, evil and much more.
Join us for today's event, as we celebrate and discuss Atlas Shrugged, with Ellen Kenner, Shoshana Milgram and Andrew Bernstein.
This event comes ahead of our new series, The Psychology of Atlas Shrugged Characters, premiering this Friday.
“‘Envy’ is the only name she could find for the monstrous thing she faced, but it was much worse than envy: it was the profound hatred of life, of success and of all human values…” Ayn Rand, “Through Your Most Grievous Fault,” The Voice of Reason
In this essay, Ayn Rand delivers a sharp philosophical indictment on the culture that responded to Marilyn Monroe’s benevolent spirit and gaiety, with envy and malice.
Join our upcoming discussion session with James Valliant, as we discuss this essay and explore its themes.
Full essay: https://courses.aynrand.org/works/through-your-most-grievous-fault/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Up next in our ongoing exploration of Ayn Rand’s most controversial views: her views on a woman becoming the President of a country.
Harry Binswanger and James Valliant discuss this issue and raise questions such as:
What exactly were Ayn Rand’s views on a woman president?
What can psychology tell us about healthy dynamics between a feminine woman and her masculine partner?
Is hero-worship primarily a feminine trait?
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
“Most men […] find it particularly difficult to regard ethics as a science and to grasp the concept of a rational, objective ethics that leaves no room for anyone’s arbitrary ‘decision.’” Ayn Rand, The Voice of Reason
Most debates about what is morally right and wrong, come down to this issue: how do we verify what is morally right? Where—or to whom—do we turn to validate our ethical beliefs?
James Valliant, discusses this issue in tandem with Ayn Rand’s essay, “Who is the Final Authority in Ethics?”
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Since 2020 has been such a calamitous year for the world and our values, in 2021 we need to strike back on all fronts. Objectivism should and can play a key role in this struggle; thus, we need to discuss how to advocate effectively in each branch of the philosophy. In our first event of the year, we are joined by 4 Objectivist intellectuals who will each explain what they think is the best approach for promoting Objectivism through one branch of the philosophy.
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Ayn Rand’s views on homosexuality have long been a major point of controversy—even many people who admire her ideas don’t know how to reconcile their admiration with their strong disapproval of her views on this subject.
Some important points of clarification would be:
What exactly were Ayn Rand’s views of homosexuality?
Where do these views fit into the philosophical system of Objectivism?
Was Ayn Rand wrong in holding these views?
Dr. Harry Binswanger and James Valliant discuss in this event, moderated by Nikos Sotirakopoulos.
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
“A sense of life is a pre-conceptual equivalent of metaphysics, an emotional, subconsciously integrated appraisal of man and of existence. It sets the nature of a man’s emotional responses and the essence of his character.” — Ayn Rand, The Romantic Manifesto
Each of us has a sense of life, that informs and impacts our relationship with the world—it influences the kind of art we’re drawn to, the romantic partners we choose, our engagement with our work, and so on.
And our sense of life, in turn, is informed by our philosophical convictions and perspectives, held implicitly or explicitly.
How can we identify our own senses of life?
What contributes to the development of a certain sense of life?
Can we change our sense of life?
Join Nikos and James every Saturday in our in-depth discussion group on Dr. Leonard Peikoff's courses, open to all ARCUK members: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
One of Ayn Rand’s most controversial stances has been her perspective on Native Americans, in terms of whether they had a claim to the land that was ‘taken’ from them, and if their rights were violated in the process.
In this event, James Valliant and Nikos will discuss Ayn Rand’s views on this issue, and debate whether she was right in holding these views.
Join Nikos and James every Saturday in our in-depth discussion group on Dr. Leonard Peikoff's courses, open to all ARCUK members: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Dr Leonard Peikoff’s essay ‘Fact and Value’ is an important moment in the history of the Objectivist movement. It clarifies Rand’s view on the bridging of the ‘is-ought dichotomy,’ and refutes the idea of Objectivism being an ‘open’ system.
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
A sign of a society in disarray is the inability to agree on basic values, or to understand what constitutes the good and the bad. The Left has been attempting to monopolize the moral high ground, preaching equality and justice, whereas conservatives are attempting to fight back mobilizing notions such as a noble tradition and individual responsibility. Each side sees the culture wars of today as a fight of the good vs the evil.
The question remains though: what is the good, and how does one arrive at it? Does it come from god, from society, from convention, from nature, from individual whim, or from something else? Join us to discuss morality with Craig Biddle and Douglas Murray.
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Artificial Intelligence has experienced a 21st-century resurgence, but that resurgence has been accompanied by new, insightful critiques that point to biases and other inadequacies in AI algorithms. What these critiques don’t do, however, is make the more fundamental argument that such biases are inherent in algorithms as such. Cognitive psychologists Dr. Lee Pierson and Dr. Adam Reed will discuss this argument and its implications for education and employment.
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
In present times, social media are a significant part of our life and of the public sphere. And for this reason, it can be challenging when Facebook or Twitter prevent certain ideas or people from being aired on their platforms.
However, while this might be difficult or irksome, the question remains: do such practices constitute censorship, and should the state be involved in addressing it?
Are social media companies denying our right to free speech when they discriminate on who they want on their platforms? Or are they exercising their own rights as private entities?
Should social media be subject to different laws, because of how big and widely used they are?
Yaron Brook and Toby Young, as we discuss and debate social media, free speech and censorship.
This event is sponsored by the Ayn Rand Institute.
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/members
“A man’s spirit […] is his self. That entity which is his consciousness. To think, to feel, to judge, to act are functions of the ego.” — Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand’s novel, The Fountainhead, is philosophically revolutionary. It illustrates the virtues of independence and integrity in action, and celebrates the ideal of the heroic, thinking individual.
The novel inspires, moves, and is also a profound guide to self-development.
In this event, we celebrate and discuss The Fountainhead, with: Andrew Bernstein, Gena Gorlin, Shoshana Milgram and Josh Dickson.
This event comes ahead of our new series: The Psychology of The Fountainhead Characters, releasing later this month.
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
James Stevens Valliant’s recent book (co-authored with Warren Fahy), Creating Christ: How Roman Emperors Invented Christianity, has been described on Amazon as an “exhaustive synthesis of historical detective work”.
Join us in our upcoming event with James Stevens Valliant, as we explore the historical events surrounding the birth of Christianity, and discuss questions such as:
What were the historical origins of Christianity?
What is the evidence that leads to this conclusion?
Why is it important to understand the origins of Christianity?
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Selfish-Path-Romance-Passion-Inspired/dp/0982411758
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/members
“[Art gives man] the experience of seeing the full, immediate, concrete reality of his distant goals.” — Ayn Rand, The Romantic Manifesto
What is the relation of art to life, and to liberty?
Does art have a role in the promotion of liberty and the opposition of tyranny?
Joining us in the upcoming Meetup, to discuss this and more, is Quent Cordair, author and art gallery owner at Quent Cordair Fine Art.
Quent, and his wife Linda Cordair, took a stand against the government imposed lockdown on businesses and opened their art gallery before it was permitted. He is a significant voice in the fight for liberty, and the advocacy of art as essential for living.
https://theobjectivestandard.com/2020/04/kudos-to-the-cordairs-for-standing-up-to-authoritarians/
The Cordairs' statement on reopening their gallery: https://napavalleyregister.com/opinion/letters/going-back-to-work-no-matter-what/article_ea43dd12-a53a-5639-945a-f56ffb08308c.html
Quent Cordair's poem, No Sea Was Ever Sailed: https://quentcordair.com/2020/07/31/no-sea-was-ever-sailed-2/
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Over the course of decades, Leonard Peikoff has been an invaluable guide to the philosophy of Objectivism—for anyone from a student beginner to an established intellectual.
His lectures, talks, books and essays model rational thinking and objective communication, and his profound insights span across multiple fields—philosophy, history, education, psychology, physics, and more.
Joining us in the event, to ‘toast’ to Dr. Peikoff and discuss his impact on their lives, are:
Carl Barney: Founder of the Prometheus Foundation.
Dr. Andrew Bernstein: Teacher, and author of Heroes, Legends, Champions: Why Heroism Matters and other books.
Dr. Ellen Kenner: Clinical psychologist, co-author of A Selfish Path to Romance, and lecturer.
Kira Peikoff: Author of Mother Knows Best and other books, editor at Leapsmag, and Leonard Peikoff’s daughter.
Lisa VanDamme: Founder and educator at VanDamme Academy.
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Over the past few months, people have found themselves taking a closer look at how and what their children are taught—possibly closer than they thought necessary. This may have resulted in them having some pertinent questions, such as:
Are their children getting the best education available?
Can educational spaces and methods be improved, from conventional arrangements? What is the role of the school today and has the pandemic made us re-evaluate the significance of schools?
Such questions pave the way for innovation, and in this panel discussion, we will explore alternatives to traditional methods and perspectives on education.
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Radical environmentalist groups like Extinction Rebellion build upon a philosophical and historical legacy of decades. Most people are familiar with the mobilisations against climate change and groups like Greenpeace and the Sierra Club, but what about Deep Ecology, earth First! and eco-terrorism? ARCUK’s Academic Advisor Nikos Sotirakopoulos will drive us through the dark history of anti-humanist ideas and actions of the radical Green movement.
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
New Directions in Psycho-Epistemology: The Conscious Self as the Manager of Cognition and Action
Ayn Rand defines “psycho-epistemology” as “the study of man’s cognitive processes from the aspect of the interaction between the conscious mind and the automatic functions of the subconscious.” This talk will put forward some new ideas about the nature of this interaction. Topics will include:
—Consciousness as non-physical “management,” the “subconscious” as physical “labor.”
—Neural processes as the proximate causes of all conscious experiences.
—Thinking as consciously asking but subconsciously answering questions that produce new knowledge from old.
—Volition as a knowledge-pump from sources in the perceived world and conceptual memory and thought that overrides automatic “programming.”
—Automatic action as controlled by the brain, not by consciousness.
—Words as “handles” for volitionally pumping knowledge into the thought process.
—How conscious, volitional focus on key issues enables your thinking to go beyond what comes to mind automatically.
—Why you respond to noxious stimuli before you feel the pain associated with them.
—What happens to conscious experiences when they leave awareness. (They don’t become subconscious memories!)
—Why emotions sometimes inhibit thinking.
Lee Pierson, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Cornell University, has conducted Creatical Thinking and other seminars for students from grade school to grad school and beyond, for a variety of educational and corporate clients in the United States and Canada. He is the Director of the Thinking Skills Institute.
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Most Objectivists would agree that there isn’t an ideal presidential candidate to vote for in the upcoming elections—none driven by a rational set of principles, seeking to unequivocally and consistently protect individual rights.
However, there is no doubt that the head of the government holds significant sway over the rights of Americans.
It makes sense, then, to identify the candidate that poses the greater threat to one’s rights, and vote against him by voting for the alternative candidate. And it is in this identification that many Objectivists are divided.
In this Meetup, we discuss and debate which candidate is the bigger threat to one’s rights, and should be voted against. With us are two Objectivist intellectuals on opposite ends of this debate—with Dr. Andrew Bernstein voting against Joe Biden, and Dr Robert Stubblefield voting against Donald Trump.
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
“It is the metaphysically given that must be accepted: it cannot be changed. It is the man-made that must never be accepted uncritically: it must be judged, then accepted or rejected and changed when necessary.” — Ayn Rand, Philosophy: Who Needs It
Ayn Rand’s distinction between the metaphysically given and the man-made has been vital in helping us rationally approach issues of agency, moral responsibility and the acceptance of reality, among others.
In this Meetup, we will explore several questions around the metaphysically given and the man-made.
For instance:
How does this distinction relate to moral responsibility?
What are the consequences of not properly distinguishing between the metaphysically given and the man-made? Why is it so important to do so?
How can we use this distinction to better understand human nature, and what aspects of ourselves are in our control?
https://courses.aynrand.org/works/the-metaphysical-versus-the-man-made/
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
“Values are the motivating power of man’s actions and a necessity of his survival, psychologically as well as physically.” — Ayn Rand, The Voice of Reason
One of Ayn Rand’s most significant and unique contributions to philosophy—and ethics, in particular—was her conception of value.
In this Meetup, we explore various aspects of the Objectivist values.
What are values, and why are they necessary for human survival and flourishing?
How do we rationally identify our personal values? How can we pursue our dearest values in the face of external and internal roadblocks?
How does Rand’s value-oriented approach to morality contrast with other conventional approaches to morality?
https://courses.aynrand.org/works/the-objectivist-ethics/
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
Human rights organisations and activists often point to Israel as a violator of rights, especially in the context of its policies related to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Do such concerns regarding Israel have any merit?
How do Israeli policies towards the “Palestinians” compare to policies by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, or Hamas in Gaza, or other countries in the region?
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
“Virtue is not an end in itself. Virtue is not its own reward or sacrificial fodder for the reward of evil. Life is the reward of virtue—and happiness is the goal and the reward of life.” — Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged
Although the concept of ‘virtue’ has been prominent in most moral philosophies, one of Ayn Rand’s revolutionary contributions to ethics is her grounding of ‘virtues’ in the pursuit of rational values.
In this Meetup, we explore various aspects of the Objectivist virtues.
In what way do virtues help us gain and keep our values?
How is life the reward of virtue?
How does Rand’s conceptualisation of virtue contrast with prominent moral approaches to ‘virtue’, both religious and secular?
How does Rand’s approach to certain ’conventionally recognised virtues’, like honesty, justice and integrity, differ from convention?
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A discussion with Objectivist philosopher Harry Binswanger and Jean Moroney, President of Thinking Directions, on their theory of The Reactive Subconscious.
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We might be in the throes of cultural turmoil and political chaos, but that doesn’t mean that the lights have gone out—there are still heroes fighting the good fight, who we can laud and look up to.
What are the defining qualities of a hero in today’s culture? Who are the heroes—and villains—in the current cultural episode? In this meetup, we will explore these questions, and identify the heroes and villains of the recent protests and riots—and also the heroes and villains among those responding to the protests and riots.
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A discussion about Ayn Rand's essay 'Philosophy: Who Needs It'.
The essay is available here: https://campus.aynrand.org/works/1974/03/01/philosophy-who-needs-it with an additional audio Q&A.
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The current debate around sex and gender differences has raised fundamental questions about the roles of choice, environment, and biology in shaping human nature. For instance:
What can and can’t evolutionary theory teach us about the attitudes, preferences, and behaviors of individuals?
To what extent, and in what sense, are we responsible for our actions?
How might biology and/or environment mitigate or enhance this responsibility?
Do we inherit character traits? Can we choose to change them?
Can we control what we ‘imbibe’ from our environment, including our social interactions?
What are the implications of evolutionary psychology for mental illness and treatment, and for moral agency and self-improvement?
These questions, and more, are discussed by evolutionary psychologist Dr. Diana Fleischman, and clinical psychologist Dr. Gena Gorlin.
Recommended reading:
https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.100...
https://7b78c7dd-f3cf-49a2-9cd8-bc805...
http://people.whitman.edu/~herbrawt/c...
https://breakingthefreewillillusion.c...
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Speech codes on campuses. Disinvitations of speakers to events. Attempts to ‘cancel’ people over political differences. There is little doubt that political discourse and activism has become magnified—and mainstream—in current times.
That is why it is vital to bring under scrutiny the quality, standards and methods of political discourse that we see around us, and raise pertinent questions about it. For instance:
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Has the quality of political discussion and debate deteriorated in recent times, compared to past eras? Or has cultural and political discourse always been messy, in the context of a given time period?
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What are the right standards for engaging with others on matters of culture and politics? What should be considered when deciding whether to debate someone you disagree with, or ally with someone you have agreements with?
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What does it mean to take moral disagreements seriously? Should we ‘cancel’ those who don’t share our political beliefs, or should we regard all political differences as morally inconsequential, and irrelevant for maintaining close, personal relationships? Or is there a better approach to moral disagreement, outside this alternative?
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Are respect and moral judgement incompatible with each other? Is it possible to maintain a respectful and dignified conversation with someone, while pronouncing strong negative moral judgement on their ideas? How can we achieve this mode of discussion and debate?
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Many people are talking about the entrepreneurial mind, the entrepreneurial spirit, or even the entrepreneurial gene. To be an entrepreneur, the story goes, one needs to possess some specific elements in terms of who they are, and how they view the world.
President and CEO of Ayn Rand Institute Tal Tsfany, an experienced entrepreneur himself, will join us this Saturday to clarify the issues around the psychology and the sense of life of the productive creator and the businessman.
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The subject of racism has gradually snowballed over recent years, and exploded into mainstream culture over the past month.
Brands are declaring their commitment to fight racism, several organisations have launched mandatory diversity trainings—even the Oscars have recently introduced certain diversity requirements for eligibility for the award. Individuals are making and denying accusations of racism in droves, and the terms ‘white fragility’, ‘systemic racism’ and ‘complicity’ have been used liberally and passionately.
In order to make sense of, judge and properly respond to this new wave of events, it is essential to philosophically unpack it. What is racism? What is not racism? Is racism best countered by governmental action, organisational policy, or something else entirely?
Andrew Bernstein is a philosopher and novelist. He is the author of several books, including The Capitalist Manifesto, Capitalism Unbound, and the recently-published Heroes, Legends, Champions: Why Heroism Matters.
Aaron Briley, Ph.D., is a philosopher who promotes life-enhancing cultural values to black Americans, with the ultimate goal of bringing about a Black Renaissance of education, achievement, and fulfillment. He is a fellow/research associate Objective Standard Institute on race relations, cultural improvement, individualism, clear thinking, and freedom.
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Introspection on thinking (i.e., conceptually identifying what is going on in your mind while you are thinking) is not only a method of psychological investigation, but also a valuable personal practice that provides guidance for keeping your thinking on track to its goal.
This form of introspection is the key skill underlying creatical thinking. “Creatical thinking” refers to the process of overriding the faulty automatic “programs” (the invalid assumptions) that make bad critical thinking and break good creative thinking. It is how you can refocus your thinking when what comes to mind automatically has left your thinking stuck, sidetracked, cognitively biased, or otherwise in error. Introspection on thinking — more specifically, identifying what to think about next to get your thinking back on track to its goal — is the skill needed for getting this process going. Introspection on thinking is, I believe, the most important cognitive skill that is not yet explicitly taught at any level of schooling.
Lee Pierson, who holds a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Cornell University, has conducted Creatical Thinking and other seminars for students from grade school to grad school and beyond, for a variety of educational and corporate clients in the United States and Canada. He is the Director of the Thinking Skills Institute.
Josh Dickson is an addictions counsellor, trauma therapist and positive psychologist. He is the founder and clinical director of Resurface, providing surf therapy retreats for trauma, positivity and creativity. He also works in private practice.
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The anti-Israel movement has gained increasing traction, and large sections of the public—and mainstream media—hold the perspective that Israel is deeply immoral, particularly in the context of the conflict between Israel and the "Palestinians". However, the conclusion that Israel is immoral is false, because it is built on faulty standards of judgement.
Why is Israel so commonly vilified? Why is it unjust to be ‘anti-Israel’? And importantly, what are the standards by which one can make an objective judgement about Israel, and the conflict between the "Palestinians" and Israel?
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Following the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis last week, violent protests erupted across the US. Police officers, civilians, and property have been targeted.
Do activists believe that rioting will help ease racial tensions? If not, what do they hope to achieve? What motivation is there for corporations to take a stand, in some cases using questionable “facts” to present the US as institutionally racist? And if modern activism is not the way to go, how can one fight the evil of racism?
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The tribalism and the toxicity of the public sphere have given rise to a tendency known as ‘cancel culture’: people being publicly shamed for their views, or for things they said in the past. While some consider ‘cancel culture’ a sign of intolerant times and of intellectual shallowness, others see it as merely holding people accountable for their views and, thus, as an expression of free speech. In this meetup with Claire Fox and Craig Biddle, we will try to understand:-what is ‘cancel culture’?
-How, if in any way, is it different from previous forms of intolerance and intellectual shaming?
-Is it a threat to free speech, or merely an affirmation of it?
-How should one deal with reprehensible and immoral views and ideas?
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In this week’s psychology event, ARCUK Psychology Fellow Josh Dickson answers questions, either specific to coping with COVID-19 and the lockdown, or any other topic relating to psychology.
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Learn more about Kirk Barbera’s work: https://www.troubadourmag.com/
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"It is the honourable characteristic of Poetry that its materials are to be found in every subject which can interest the human mind." William Wordsworth
Poetry is as universal as language, and almost as ancient. It powerfully captures the strongest emotions of the human condition: exaltation, envy, love, grief, pride, bravery, and the entire spectrum of what it means to live one’s life.
How can poetry help us understand the human psyche? How are we to tell good poetry from bad? Are the rules objective, or is poetry whatever talks to our heart?
Our time on this earth is limited by our own perspective. We get but one life. Through poetry, we can live infinitely and vicariously through others, which serves a fundamental human requirement.
Josh Dickson is an addictions counsellor, trauma therapist and positive psychologist. He is the founder and clinical director of Resurface, providing surf therapy retreats for trauma, positivity and creativity. He also works in private practice.
Kirk Barbera is Editor-in-chief of Troubadour Magazine and co-host of the podcast “Surprised by Art!" W/ Luc and Kirk.
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One of the most captivating elements of novels and works of fiction is the access we get to a protagonist’s thoughts, emotions, and mental processes. This is definitely the case with Ayn Rand’s novels, where we often bear witness to the internal monologues of the heroes and the villains. So what can literature tell us about psychology? What can it reveal to us about the human mind? Is it realistic to draw conclusions for real life based on the inner thoughts of fictional heroes? Can novels show us who we are, how we think, and why we choose as we do?
Josh Dickson is an addictions counsellor, trauma therapist and positive psychologist. He is the founder and clinical director of Resurface, providing surf therapy retreats for trauma, positivity and creativity. He also works in private practice.
Shoshana Milgram is an Associate Professor of English at Virginia Tech. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Stanford University. Dr Milgram has lectured on Ayn Rand in undergraduate and graduate courses, at Objectivist conferences, at national and international academic conferences, and at the Smithsonian Institution.
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Learn more about Don Watkins’s work: https://www.donswriting.com
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During Mao’s Cultural Revolution in China, ‘struggle sessions’ were public spectacle events that included the shaming and humiliation of dissenters or people who deviated from the Party line, in front of enraged mobs. In the past two weeks, the term has been used for the phenomenon of white people publicly taking the knee and attempting to denounce their ‘white privilege’, the denouncing of celebrities who failed to support BLM loudly enough, and the hounding of people from their jobs for criticising the riots or for questioning white privilege.
How did the protests escalate to a 21st century form of a cultural revolution? Is there a chance that the totalitarian spirit now expanding in the public sphere will spillover in politics? And how can one fight the battle of ideas in such a toxic public sphere?
Don Watkins is the co-author of Equal Is Unfair, Free Market Revolution, and in Pursuit of Wealth. He is the Director of Education at the Center for Industrial Progress.
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Many commentators over the past few years have described the presence of a ‘victim culture’ in Western societies. Vulnerability has been expanding as a category, encompassing more and more groups of people who are considered disadvantaged and therefore are subject to special treatment or privileges by the state and various institutions.
Critics have described such a process as taking away agency from individuals and, thus, as detrimental to the prospects of social change and progress. What will be the effect of the pandemic to the culture of victimhood? Are we all now vulnerable subjects in need of intervention and protection by the state? Will individual agency come out stronger or further weakened after the lockdown?
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The pandemic and the lockdowns have been the biggest state intervention in the economy and on people’s lives in living memory. In the case of the UK and other countries, the strict measures have been imposed by conservative politicians, and by governments that are considered centre-right and pro-market. At the same time, among people one can notice different attitudes towards the lockdown based on one’s ideology: people who associate more with the Left are generally pro-lockdown, whereas the popular base of the Right in many countries calls for an easing of the measures.
What is the present and the the future of conservatism in a world where the state has unprecedented powers, and where the government is effectively running the economy? Is there a gap between the popular basis of conservatism and its political representatives? Does the world even need conservatism?
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’Optimism is the opium of the people!’, declared Milan Kundera’s fictional hero Ludvik in the novel ‘The Joke’. But in times of crisis, many people are craving some good news that will give them hope for a better future.
What is the role of optimism in one’s psychology and sense of life? Is it an evasion to focus on good news, and prioritise them over gloomy and worrying prospects? How can one be an optimist in the current philosophical and cultural atmosphere, when the signs are that things are probably not going to be fine?
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Just a few short months ago, no cause was more prominent than the battle against the supposed catastrophic implications of manmade global warming. With an actual crisis causing actual harm to humans, the cause of climate alarmism is at a crossroads.
How will hardline environmentalists, who advocate significant changes to our way of life, reinvent themselves to keep their place as the most popular cause in a post-Covid world? Will their message be harmed by their target audience experiencing genuine, unprecedented hardship, or can they use this crisis to encourage us all to keep our carbon footprint as low as it has been during the lockdown?
Join Brendan O’Neill, Editor of Spiked, and Razi Ginzberg, Director of the Ayn Rand Centre UK, for a discussion on the future of the climate catastrophe movement.
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In the Fountainhead, Ayn Rand deals with the topics of independent, first hand thought, and the effects of collectivism ‘not in politics, but in man’s soul’. But the novel is also remembered, and is also considered controversial, for Rand’s depiction of romantic love, and of the intense, on and off, relationship between Howard Roark with Dominique Francon.
What can ‘The Fountainhead’ tell us about romance and sex? Does it provide any insights on the nature of masculinity and femininity, if such a nature exists? Is it realistic to expect an intensity of feelings like the ones overwhelming Roark and Dominique?
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Romance, much like everything else, is not what it used to be just a few weeks ago. Whether you’re self-isolating apart from your significant other, living together with a partner, but not used to spending 24 hours a day with them, or trying to figure out Zoom-dating, your love life has probably entered uncharted territory.
How will the pandemic and the lockdown affect romantic relationships? Will dating change by the time this is over?
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And find out more about Joanna Williams’s think tank: https://www.cieo.org.uk/
As could’ve been expected, culture wars have reached new levels of tension during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the battles around the importance of free speech. YouTube has deleted videos related to the virus that contain questionable ‘information’. One case that entered the spotlight was the removal of a London Real interview with antisemitic conspiracy theorist David Icke. Since then, the program’s host Brian Rose has been claiming that the removal of the video is a violation of his rights, and that he has been censored. At the same time, there has been harsh criticism, and often bitter accusations, against people in the public sphere who have been critical of the lockdown, and suggestive of an alternative approach.
Why is there so much confusion on what does and what does not constitute free speech, and a violation of it? Are the deplatforming of conspiracy theorists or the twitter mobs a threat to free speech? And what are the prospects for free speech and an open dialogue during times of fear and crisis?
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Productivity is one of the skills that are essential to everyone’s life, irrespective of their career goals, skills, or interests. There have been hundreds of books and thousands of hours with productivity tips and shortcuts. And yet, even during the COVID lockdown, when many people find themselves with more free time than they were used to, productivity is still a struggle for many of us.
Is it more difficult to be productive in our modern era, with the countless destructions and the shorter attention spans? Are some people more gifted with a talent in productivity? Or is it that all that is needed is a to pull ourselves together and get the work done? Psychologist Josh Dickson will shed some light on the psychological mechanisms behind productivity (and the lack of it).
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The pandemic and the lockdowns have been the biggest state intervention in the economy and on people’s lives in living memory. In the case of the UK and other countries, the strict measures have been imposed by conservative politicians, and by governments that are considered centre-right and pro-market. At the same time, among people one can notice different attitudes towards the lockdown based on one’s ideology: people who associate more with the Left are generally pro-lockdown, whereas the popular base of the Right in many countries calls for an easing of the measures.
What is the present and the the future of conservatism in a world where the state has unprecedented powers, and where the government is effectively running the economy? Is there a gap between the popular basis of conservatism and its political representatives? Does the world even need conservatism?
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Two months after the world went into lockdown in an attempt to fight the outbreak of COVID-19, there still seem to be more questions available than answers.
In this Meetup, world-renowned infectious disease expert Dr Amesh Adalja will answer questions regarding the initial handling of the outbreak, the current status, and what we can expect in the coming weeks, months, and beyond.
Dr Adalja is a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
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Read more from Robert Tracinski: http://tracinskiletter.com/
And support Andrew Bernstein on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=26987211
Many have claimed that the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has led us to a world similar to Part 3 of Atlas Shrugged: governments enforcing draconian measures, state control of the economy, widespread pessimism and gloom, and rapid economic decline. Is this the case, or is it that those concerned about individual freedom are perhaps over-reacting and life will gradually go back to normal?
In her lecture ‘Is Atlas Shrugging?’ in 1964, Ayn Rand claimed that ‘Atlas Shrugged is not a prophecy of our unavoidable destruction, but a manifesto of our power to avoid it, if we choose to change our course’. Do we still have time to do so, or is it too late?
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In this week’s psychology event, ARCUK Psychology Fellow Josh Dickson will answer questions on how to cope with COVID-19 in the context of trauma recovery and positive psychology.
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According to author and philosopher Andrew Bernstein, overcoming adversity is a central element of what makes someone a hero. Beyond the real life examples we discussed some weeks ago, fictional heroes can also offer inspiration on how to go through difficult times, like the ones we are currently experiencing. Standing up to difficult occasions was also a characteristic of Ayn Rand’s heroes. In one of her novels, she wrote the following about one of the protagonists: ‘dangers, to Fransisco, were merely opportunities for another brilliant performance’. Rand’s heroes sometimes win, and other times get defeated; they always though face adversity bravely.
In today’s web-meetup with Andrew Bernstein, we will discuss examples from literature, trying to draw parallels with the current times, and seeing how we can get inspiration and courage in the context of our lives.
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“The function of the package deal is to combine into a unified concept things that are essentially different, and that function is made possible only when a nonessential characteristic is employed to define the concept.” Peter Schwartz, Integration by Essentials
In this series of Meetups we examine how certain package deals have gained such widespread acceptance, so as to alter the meaning of the concepts in most people’s minds, a fact that is reflected in public discourse. This week, we will deal with the concept of ‘profiteering’.
According to the Cambridge dictionary, profiteering means ‘the act of taking advantage of a situation in order to make a profit, usually by charging high prices for things people need’. It is a term that comes back to fashion in every crisis, in order to shame, or even to suggest legal action, against traders who ‘unfairly’ charge a higher price to products that are under a very high demand. Recently, we have seen the rise in the price of masks and sanitizers being declared as ‘profiteering’, and in many countries deemed illegal. Is the slamming of profiteering by its critics linked to a disdain for the morality of profit as such? Are there activities that should indeed be named and shamed as profiteering, and how should one react against them?
Andrew Bernstein is a philosopher and novelist. He is the author of several books, including The Capitalist Manifesto, Capitalism Unbound, and the recently-published Heroes, Legends, Champions: Why Heroism Matters.
Robert Van Dortmond is a coach of student start-ups at the minor in Entrepreneurship at the University of Amsterdam/Centre for Entrepreneurship. He has 27 years experience working with Egon Zehnder International (leading global executive search firm, partnership), and as an executive coach and advisor on career and organisational development.
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In this week’s psychology talk, ARCUK Psychology Fellow Josh Dickson will discuss how to use positive emotion to develop and expand your emotional repertoire.
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The feminist movement has been one of the most vocal and popular milieus in the past few years. It has been present from large protests on the streets to campaigns in Hollywood, and has had an influence in society’s norms when it comes to inter-gender dynamics. At the same time, it has been criticised for anti-male bias and for shifting the identity of the Western world towards more risk aversion, and towards more emphasis on emotions and subjectivism.
In the midst of a health and social crisis, and with huge events ahead, such as the US elections and the upcoming economic challenges, what will be the role of feminism in the new era? Are the characteristics of the movement well-suited for the ‘new normal’, or will identity politics take the back-seat in the struggle of society to stand again on its feet?
Join Sunday Telegraph columnist Zoe Strimpel and ARCUK Academic Advisor Nikos Sotirakopoulos for a discussion on what the feminist agenda might look like moving forward.
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According to Ayn Rand, ‘to laugh at the contemptible, is a virtue; to laugh at the good, is a hideous vice’. But does this mean that humour and laughter can be the subject of philosophy? After all, different people laugh at different things. What about laughing at ourselves, and generally ‘not taking our life too seriously’, as a mantra of our era tells us?
And what about comedy? If we laugh out loud with films like ‘Dumb and Dumber’ or ‘The Hangover’, does it indicate something about our sense of life? Or is it that comedy should be taken lightly and one should just go with the flow?
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The global pandemic has brought with it significant changes to all our lives. Whether it’s the health risk itself, the lockdown, trying to get used to working from home and giving up so many activities that we’ve always taken for granted, coping with these changes won’t be easy for anyone.
Josh Dickson is an addictions counsellor, trauma therapist and positive psychologist. He is the founder and clinical director of Resurface, providing surf therapy retreats for trauma, positivity and creativity. He also works in private practice.
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While we’re still trying to understand the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our health and our healthcare systems, it is already clear that it’s one of the biggest crises of our lifetimes. As a consequence of the virus and the government action that followed, many jobs are being lost on a daily basis, stock markets are crashing, and entire industries seem to be on the brink of collapse.
What are the potential long-term economic implications of the current crisis? How can we navigate the situation to mitigate the negative impact?
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Quite often, we are told that in order to find meaning in life, one has to live for something big, beyond oneself. At the same time though, the notion of heroism is seen with suspicion. In popular culture, the figure that is gaining track is the anti-hero: flawed, imperfect, and ultimately, ‘one of us’. Quite often, traits traditionally linked with heroes are seen as destructive for their bearers, as well as for those around them.
Is there space in our society for heroes and heroism? Can a hero be happy? Can a search for happiness go hand in hand with grand heroic deeds? Or does heroism ultimately require self-sacrifice?
Ashley Frawley is senior lecturer in sociology and social policy at Swansea University in Wales. She is the author of Semiotics of Happiness: rhetorical beginnings of a public problem published by Bloomsbury Academic in 2015 and the forthcoming Significant Emotions (2020) which explores the seemingly never ending rise and fall of new emotional panaceas for social problems.
Andrew Bernstein holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Graduate School of the City University of New York. He has taught Philosophy at the State University of New York at Purchase, Marist College, Hunter College, the State University of New York at New Paltz, and other New York-area universities. He is the author of several books, including the recently-released Heroes, Legends, Champions: Why Heroism Matters.
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Read more from Brendan O'Neill on Spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/
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Over the past few weeks we’ve seen governments across the world enacting increasingly severe restrictions on individual freedom, in an attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Are such measures justified? Can we trust politicians to give up on the additional powers they’ve granted themselves? And what would be a proper response by the government to the global pandemic?
Brendan O’Neill, editor of Spiked Online, and Nikos Sotirakopoulos, Ayn Rand Centre UK Academic Advisor, discuss in this London Ayn Rand Meetup event.
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During emergencies, especially when the cause is a complicated and invisible enemy like a virus, we are told that this is not a time for ideas and philosophy. We are encouraged to leave decision-making to the experts and those who know better, and watch from the sidelines. We have seen this during the last weeks, when voices questioning the governments’ reactions to COVID 19 are characterised as anti-social and as disregarding for the lives of others and of the most vulnerable.
When we are lacking crucial information and the technical knowledge, shall we suspend moral and political judgment? Or is it that particularly in times of crises, one must act based on principles, and fight for them? How can one launch the battle of ideas in times of crisis and uncertainty?
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The pandemic is undoubtedly stressful for everyone. But unless we acknowledge and deal with the stress and its causes, we risk ending up with a trauma that we’ll live with long after the virus is gone.
Join psychologist Josh Dickson for a discussion on stress management and trauma prevention.
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See Craig and many other speakers at TOS-Con 2020 - Philosophy for Freedom and Flourishing (scholarships available for students & young adults): https://tos-con.com/
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How can you live as fully as possible amid the social chaos, government interventions, and general uncertainty surrounding COVID-19? What are your basic options? What are your responsibilities to yourself and others? How can you—or anyone—know the proper role of government in this situation? And what can you do in this context to defend the freedom on which human flourishing depends?
Sign up here to join upcoming events live via Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/London-Ayn-Rand-Meetup/
Consider supporting our work by becoming a member: https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/membership/
“‘Value’ is that which one acts to gain and keep, ‘virtue’ is the action by which one gains and keeps it.” Ayn Rand, For the New Intellectual
One of Ayn Rand’s most significant and distinct contributions to philosophy - particularly ethics - was her conception of value, and by extension, virtue. She recognised three cardinal values that were essential for man’s survival and flourishing: reason, purpose and self-esteem. And she recognised three corresponding virtues by which one gained and kept these values: rationality, productivity and pride.
In the first Meetup in a series of monthly discussions on the Objectivist values and virtues, we will discuss Rand’s first cardinal value - reason.
What does it mean to value reason? What are some common manifestations of irrationality, and what is the standard by which one judges an idea to be rational or irrational? Why is the concept of reason relevant in the realm of morality?