Shows
The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWas Ayn Rand Anti-Family?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwT-unSQu_8
Podcast audio:
In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Samantha Watkins and Ben Bayer tackle the common criticism that Ayn Rand is "anti-family" and analyze its philosophical roots. They examine claims that Rand's novels omit discussions of having children and explore what her actual views on parenting reveal about living a rational, selfish life.
Among the topics covered:
● Debunking the notion that Rand ignores children and parenting;● Rand’s Actual View on Children and Parenting;● How choosing to be a parent can be a rational value;● Understanding investment versus genuine sacrifice in parenti...
2025-08-1445 min
The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWas Ayn Rand Anti-Family?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwT-unSQu_8
Podcast audio:
In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Samantha Watkins and Ben Bayer tackle the common criticism that Ayn Rand is "anti-family" and analyze its philosophical roots. They examine claims that Rand's novels omit discussions of having children and explore what her actual views on parenting reveal about living a rational, selfish life.
Among the topics covered:
● Debunking the notion that Rand ignores children and parenting;● Rand’s actual view on children and parenting;● How choosing to be a parent can be a rational value;● Why parenting doesn't require sacrifice;● Why "fertili...
2025-08-1445 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhy the Ayn Rand Institute Comments on Current Eventshttps://youtu.be/QT4O5p3oSAA
Podcast audio:
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer discuss why ARI comments on current events and why applying Objectivism to cultural issues is central to its essence as a philosophy for living on earth.
Among the topics covered:
How ARI’s commentary fits its mission;
Why applying Objectivism to current events is essential to understanding the philosophy;
Why persuading minds about Objectivism requires distinguishing it from mainstream ideas;
What is wrong with the objection that no one can speak for Ayn Rand;
What to expect fr...
2025-03-1700 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhy the Ayn Rand Institute Comments on Current Eventshttps://youtu.be/QT4O5p3oSAA
Podcast audio:
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer discuss why ARI comments on current events and why applying Objectivism to cultural issues is central to its essence as a philosophy for living on earth.
Among the topics covered:
How ARI’s commentary fits its mission;
Why applying Objectivism to current events is essential to understanding the philosophy;
Why persuading minds about Objectivism requires distinguishing it from mainstream ideas;
What is wrong with the objection that no one can speak for Ayn Rand;
What to expect fr...
2025-03-1700 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhy the Ayn Rand Institute Comments on Current Eventshttps://youtu.be/QT4O5p3oSAA
Podcast audio:
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer discuss why ARI comments on current events and why applying Objectivism to cultural issues is central to its essence as a philosophy for living on earth.
Among the topics covered:
How ARI’s commentary fits its mission;
Why applying Objectivism to current events is essential to understanding the philosophy;
Why persuading minds about Objectivism requires distinguishing it from mainstream ideas;
What is wrong with the objection that no one can speak for Ayn Rand;
What to expect fr...
2025-03-1700 min
The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastJordan Peterson vs Ayn Rand on Finding Purpose in Lifehttps://youtu.be/duUDf-WuSVk
Podcast audio:
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Onkar Ghate and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss how to make one’s life purposeful, without falling for the sacrificial tropes popular in our culture.
Among the topics covered:
Why aiming at a challenging, effortful life should not be equated with suffering;
How to evaluate Jordan Peterson’s notion that meaning is found outside of one’s life;
What is wrong with pursuing purpose by bearing others' burdens;
Why achievement, not suffering, is the essence of human life and morality.
Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand’s novels...
2025-01-0729 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastJordan Peterson vs Ayn Rand on Finding Purpose in Lifehttps://youtu.be/duUDf-WuSVk
Podcast audio:
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Onkar Ghate and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss how to make one’s life purposeful, without falling for the sacrificial tropes popular in our culture.
Among the topics covered:
Why aiming at a challenging, effortful life should not be equated with suffering;
How to evaluate Jordan Peterson’s notion that meaning is found outside of one’s life;
What is wrong with pursuing purpose by bearing others' burdens;
Why achievement, not suffering, is the essence of human life and morality.
Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand’s novels...
2025-01-0700 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastBehind-the-Scenes of Ayn Rand’s Second Interview with Mike Wallacehttps://youtu.be/rqSHMPIurKM
Podcast audio:
In this episode of New Ideal, Brandon Lisi and Agustina Vergara Cid discuss the backstory of the newly-published “lost” Mike Wallace-Ayn Rand interview from 1960.
Among the topics covered:
Historical background of the “lost” interview;
Rand’s role as a public intellectual during the 1960s;
How Rand’s intellectual confidence shines through in the interview;
How the Ayn Rand Archives recovered the recording;
Upcoming projects of the Ayn Rand Archives.
Mentioned in this podcast are Rand’s first and fourth interviews with Wallace, Letters of Ayn Rand and the online archive exhibit, and Rand’s letter “To Senat...
2024-12-1635 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastBehind-the-Scenes of Ayn Rand’s Second Interview with Mike Wallacehttps://youtu.be/rqSHMPIurKM
Podcast audio:
In this episode of New Ideal, Brandon Lisi and Agustina Vergara Cid discuss the backstory of the newly-published “lost” Mike Wallace-Ayn Rand interview from 1960.
Among the topics covered:
Historical background of the “lost” interview;
Rand’s role as a public intellectual during the 1960s;
How Rand’s intellectual confidence shines through in the interview;
How the Ayn Rand Archives recovered the recording;
Upcoming projects of the Ayn Rand Archives.
Mentioned in this podcast are Rand’s first and fourth interviews with Wallace, Letters of Ayn Rand and the online archive exhibit, and Rand’s letter “To Senat...
2024-12-1635 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastTwo Ayn Rand Biographies Not Worth Your Timehttps://youtu.be/MLF5deQWbrc
Podcast audio:
In this episode of New Ideal, Aaron Smith interviews Elan Journo to discuss his critical evaluation of two popular but deeply flawed biographies of Ayn Rand: Jennifer Burns’ Goddess of the Market and Anne C. Heller’s Ayn Rand and the World She Made.
Among the topics covered:
The standards of objectivity that the biographies fail to meet;
The authors’ disregard for how Rand thought of herself and her work;
Examples of the books’ lack of objectivity;
How the authors mishandled the biographies' sources;
Why ignoring Rand’s philosophy makes the books less interestin...
2024-10-2856 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastTwo Ayn Rand Biographies Not Worth Your Timehttps://youtu.be/MLF5deQWbrc
Podcast audio:
In this episode of New Ideal, Aaron Smith interviews Elan Journo to discuss his critical evaluation of two popular but deeply flawed biographies of Ayn Rand: Jennifer Burns’ Goddess of the Market and Anne C. Heller’s Ayn Rand and the World She Made.
Among the topics covered:
The standards of objectivity that the biographies fail to meet;
The authors’ disregard for how Rand thought of herself and her work;
Examples of the books’ lack of objectivity;
How the authors mishandled the biographies' sources;
Why ignoring Rand’s philosophy makes the books less interestin...
2024-10-2856 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWas Ayn Rand a Jewish Thinker?https://youtu.be/sdNoDhkU_eA
Podcast audio:
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Harry Binswanger analyze Alexandra Popoff’s new biography, Ayn Rand: Writing a Gospel of Success, particularly its portrayal of Rand as a “Jewish thinker.” They address the false attempt to link Rand’s “ethnicity” to her philosophy.
Among the topics covered:
The determinism of labeling Rand as “influenced” by her ancestry vs. the central role of choice in her thought and life;
The irrelevant evidence offered for Rand’s “ethnic” identity;
Spurious evidence of Rand’s reaction to Soviet injustices in her political thinking;
Why Rand’s nov...
2024-09-1059 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWas Ayn Rand a Jewish Thinker?https://youtu.be/sdNoDhkU_eA
Podcast audio:
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Harry Binswanger analyze Alexandra Popoff’s new biography, Ayn Rand: Writing a Gospel of Success, particularly its portrayal of Rand as a “Jewish thinker.” They address the false attempt to link Rand’s “ethnicity” to her philosophy.
Among the topics covered:
The determinism of labeling Rand as “influenced” by her ancestry vs. the central role of choice in her thought and life;
The irrelevant evidence offered for Rand’s “ethnic” identity;
Spurious evidence of Rand’s reaction to Soviet injustices in her political thinking;
Why Rand’s nov...
2024-09-1059 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastMilton Friedman vs Ayn Rand: How to Change the Worldhttps://youtu.be/Bg9BFE1-49Y
Podcast audio:
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss Milton Friedman’s impact as a public intellectual and how his advocacy of the free market differed from Ayn Rand’s radical philosophical case for capitalism.
Among the topics covered:
Why Milton Friedman is an essentially positive influence on free market thought;
How Friedman’s moral conventionality reinforced the ideas he tried to oppose;
The importance of stating the ideal when advocating for gradual reform;
Why questions of morality are at the root of economic issues;
How Friedman’s amoral...
2024-05-0658 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastMilton Friedman vs Ayn Rand: How to Change the Worldhttps://youtu.be/Bg9BFE1-49Y
Podcast audio:
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss Milton Friedman’s impact as a public intellectual and how his advocacy of the free market differed from Ayn Rand’s radical philosophical case for capitalism.
Among the topics covered:
Why Milton Friedman is an essentially positive influence on free market thought;
How Friedman’s moral conventionality reinforced the ideas he tried to oppose;
The importance of stating the ideal when advocating for gradual reform;
Why questions of morality are at the root of economic issues;
How Friedman’s amoral...
2024-05-0658 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhy Do Philosophers Keep Getting Ayn Rand Wrong?https://youtu.be/FjsC7I-Qa4A
Podcast audio:
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Mike Mazza and Aaron Smith discuss Mazza’s recently published article about why academic philosophers tend to get Rand’s ideas wrong so frequently and the parochialism involved in many of their critiques.
Among the topics covered:
What Mazza aimed to explain in this article;
Why responding to academic critics is important;
What it means for philosophers to engage in parochialism;
How the methods of academic philosophers are poorly suited to understanding Rand;
The inductive structure of Rand’s arguments;
The multiple factors behind philosophers’ dismissa...
2024-04-2257 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhy Do Philosophers Keep Getting Ayn Rand Wrong?https://youtu.be/FjsC7I-Qa4A
Podcast audio:
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Mike Mazza and Aaron Smith discuss Mazza’s recently published article about why academic philosophers tend to get Rand’s ideas wrong so frequently and the parochialism involved in many of their critiques.
Among the topics covered:
What Mazza aimed to explain in this article;
Why responding to academic critics is important;
What it means for philosophers to engage in parochialism;
How the methods of academic philosophers are poorly suited to understanding Rand;
The inductive structure of Rand’s arguments;
The multiple factors behind philosophers’ dismissa...
2024-04-2257 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand: A Philosophical LifeIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer interviews Harry Binswanger about Ayn Rand’s philosophical approach to life and the invaluable lessons we can learn from the way she lived.
Among the topics covered:
How Rand integrated philosophy into her life;
How Rand used philosophy to understand herself and others;
What it was like to work with Rand on philosophical projects;
How philosophy empowered Rand to continue learning throughout her life;
What surprising conclusions Rand came to through her philosophy;
How Rand helped Binswanger develop as a philosopher.
Mentioned in this episode are "100 Voices: An Oral History of Ay...
2024-02-051h 02The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand: A Philosophical LifeIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer interviews Harry Binswanger about Ayn Rand’s philosophical approach to life and the invaluable lessons we can learn from the way she lived.
Among the topics covered:
How Rand integrated philosophy into her life;
How Rand used philosophy to understand herself and others;
What it was like to work with Rand on philosophical projects;
How philosophy empowered Rand to continue learning throughout her life;
What surprising conclusions Rand came to through her philosophy;
How Rand helped Binswanger develop as a philosopher.
Mentioned in this episode are "100 Voices: An Oral History of Ay...
2024-02-051h 02The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastThree Myths about Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Mike Mazza and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss and debunk as baseless three commonly heard myths about Ayn Rand: that she demonized the poor, that she uncritically praised the rich, and that she died penniless and hypocritically accepted Social Security at the end of her life.
Among the topics covered:
Why the claim that Rand hated the poor has no plausibility;
Rand’s focus on ambition and productive ability;
Why Rand didn’t praise being rich as such;
Rand’s praise for true wealth creation, including the creation of knowledge;
Why the claim that Ayn Rand d...
2024-01-2942 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastThree Myths about Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Mike Mazza and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss and debunk as baseless three commonly heard myths about Ayn Rand: that she demonized the poor, that she uncritically praised the rich, and that she died penniless and hypocritically accepted Social Security at the end of her life.
Among the topics covered:
Why the claim that Rand hated the poor has no plausibility;
Rand’s focus on ambition and productive ability;
Why Rand didn’t praise being rich as such;
Rand’s praise for true wealth creation, including the creation of knowledge;
Why the claim that Ayn Rand d...
2024-01-2942 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastJordan Peterson’s Sophomoric Attack on Ayn RandIn this special episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer offer the Ayn Rand Institute’s response to Jordan Peterson’s recent attack on Ayn Rand on his podcast of November 16, 2023.
Among the topics covered:
Peterson’s recent anti-Enlightenment conservative activism;
Why Rand’s view of self-interest is not hedonistic but values-based;
How Peterson argues for collectivism from the non-existence of an enduring self;
How Peterson sells collectivism by packaging sacrifice with individual responsibility;
Peterson’s impoverished view of the free market (and of science);
His shallow reading of Rand’s characters as shallow.
Mentioned in this podcast and...
2023-11-201h 01The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastJordan Peterson’s Sophomoric Attack on Ayn RandIn this special episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer offer the Ayn Rand Institute’s response to Jordan Peterson’s recent attack on Ayn Rand on his podcast of November 16, 2023.
Among the topics covered:
Peterson’s recent anti-Enlightenment conservative activism;
Why Rand’s view of self-interest is not hedonistic but values-based;
How Peterson argues for collectivism from the non-existence of an enduring self;
How Peterson sells collectivism by packaging sacrifice with individual responsibility;
Peterson’s impoverished view of the free market (and of science);
His shallow reading of Rand’s characters as shallow.
Mentioned in this podcast and...
2023-11-201h 01The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastQ&A on Ayn Rand’s Ethics with Dan Schwartz and Ziemowit GowinIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Dan Schwartz and Ziemowit Gowin answer reader-submitted questions about Ayn Rand’s Objectivist ethics.
Among the topics covered:
What are Ayn Rand’s thoughts on ambition in career?How ambition can be moral or immoral depending on the goals pursued;Career ambition versus second-handedly chasing salary increases and promotions;
Career ambition in the context of pursuing values generally, including non-career values.
How does Rand’s virtue of rationality differ from Aristotle’s virtue of practical wisdom?Practical wisdom as the ability to deliberate well about how to act rightly in a given situation;
Why Rand...
2023-09-1855 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastQ&A on Ayn Rand’s Ethics with Dan Schwartz and Ziemowit GowinIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Dan Schwartz and Ziemowit Gowin answer reader-submitted questions about Ayn Rand’s Objectivist ethics.
Among the topics covered:
What are Ayn Rand’s thoughts on ambition in career?How ambition can be moral or immoral depending on the goals pursued;Career ambition versus second-handedly chasing salary increases and promotions;
Career ambition in the context of pursuing values generally, including non-career values.
How does Rand’s virtue of rationality differ from Aristotle’s virtue of practical wisdom?Practical wisdom as the ability to deliberate well about how to act rightly in a given situation;
Why Rand...
2023-09-1855 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Distinctive View of Romantic ArtIn this episode of New Ideal, Sam Weaver interviews Harry Binswanger and Shoshana Milgram about the Romantic movement in art and Ayn Rand’s unique account of it. They also discuss an upcoming conference, Resurrecting Romanticism, which will focus on Romanticism in music and the visual arts.
Among the topics covered:
The value of learning about Rand’s philosophy of art;
A brief summary of Rand’s account of why we need art;
The unique value of Romantic art’s portrayal of volition and values;
Terence Rattigan’s The Browning Version and the stories of O. Henry as examples of Romantic l...
2023-09-121h 13The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Distinctive View of Romantic ArtIn this episode of New Ideal, Sam Weaver interviews Harry Binswanger and Shoshana Milgram about the Romantic movement in art and Ayn Rand’s unique account of it. They also discuss an upcoming conference, Resurrecting Romanticism, which will focus on Romanticism in music and the visual arts.
Among the topics covered:
The value of learning about Rand’s philosophy of art;
A brief summary of Rand’s account of why we need art;
The unique value of Romantic art’s portrayal of volition and values;
Terence Rattigan’s The Browning Version and the stories of O. Henry as examples of Romantic l...
2023-09-121h 13The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Repudiation of Original SinIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer and Ricardo Pinto discuss Ayn Rand’s devastating critique of the idea of original sin. They explore how the notion has been understood historically, the philosophical and political uses to which it has been put, and the arguments Rand gives for regarding it as a destructive affront to morality and self-esteem.
Among the topics covered:
What original sin is and how it compares to other views;
Why Ayn Rand saw the doctrine as an offense to the very concept of morality;
Original sin’s “explanation” of why the individual is guilty of anoth...
2023-09-111h 11The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Repudiation of Original SinIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer and Ricardo Pinto discuss Ayn Rand’s devastating critique of the idea of original sin. They explore how the notion has been understood historically, the philosophical and political uses to which it has been put, and the arguments Rand gives for regarding it as a destructive affront to morality and self-esteem.
Among the topics covered:
What original sin is and how it compares to other views;
Why Ayn Rand saw the doctrine as an offense to the very concept of morality;
Original sin’s “explanation” of why the individual is guilty of anoth...
2023-09-111h 11The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand on WatergateIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer and Harry Binswanger discuss Ayn Rand's little-known analysis of the Watergate scandal, fifty years after the Congressional hearings. They draw attention to how Rand's evaluation differed from the conventional commentary of the day, and her analysis of how pragmatism and the mixed economy function as the deepest causes behind political scandals like Watergate.
Among the topics covered:
Why Ayn Rand didn’t want to write about the scandal at first and why she later decided to do so;
Rand’s evaluation of Nixon in the decades before the scandal;
Rand's evaluation of t...
2023-08-141h 13The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand on WatergateIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer and Harry Binswanger discuss Ayn Rand's little-known analysis of the Watergate scandal, fifty years after the Congressional hearings. They draw attention to how Rand's evaluation differed from the conventional commentary of the day, and her analysis of how pragmatism and the mixed economy function as the deepest causes behind political scandals like Watergate.
Among the topics covered:
Why Ayn Rand didn’t want to write about the scandal at first and why she later decided to do so;
Rand’s evaluation of Nixon in the decades before the scandal;
Rand's evaluation of t...
2023-08-141h 13
Ayn Rand Institute Live!Man’s Life as the Standard of Value in the Ethics of Ayn Rand and Aristotle by Gregory Salmieri“Man’s life,” wrote Ayn Rand, “is the standard of morality.” Aristotle was the first to identify the proper standard of morality as the distinctly human form of life—the life of a rational animal. But Rand and Aristotle have importantly different views of what the human form of life is—in particular, about why reason is a value and how it relates to the faculties and the needs that human beings share with other living things. This talk explores the similarities and differences between these two ethicists.
Recorded live at Ayn Rand Con Europe 2023
2023-06-2351 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Devastating Critique of ‘Liberals’In this episode, we read aloud Elan Journo's article, “Ayn Rand's Devastating Critique of 'Liberals'.” In that essay, he presents Rand's analysis of liberals' most fundamental moral-political goals, and their consequences. Journo shows that part of the strength of Rand's analysis is that she engaged with liberals' ideas seriously and, above all, objectively. His article was originally published in New Ideal on April 12, 2019.
2023-06-0417 minNew Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteAyn Rand’s Devastating Critique of ‘Liberals’In this episode, we read aloud Elan Journo’s article, “Ayn Rand’s Devastating Critique of ‘Liberals’.” In that essay, he presents Rand’s analysis of liberals’ most fundamental moral-political goals, and their consequences. Journo shows that part of the strength of Rand’s analysis is that she engaged with liberals’ ideas seriously and, above all, objectively.
2023-06-0417 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Devastating Critique of ‘Liberals’In this episode, we read aloud Elan Journo's article, “Ayn Rand's Devastating Critique of 'Liberals'.” In that essay, he presents Rand's analysis of liberals' most fundamental moral-political goals, and their consequences. Journo shows that part of the strength of Rand's analysis is that she engaged with liberals' ideas seriously and, above all, objectively. His article was originally published in New Ideal on April 12, 2019.
2023-06-0417 minAyn Rand Institute Live!What Does It Mean to Be Selfish? – Ayn Rand’s Vision of Rational Egoism by Tara Smith“Give back,” “Serve something higher than yourself,” “Put others first” – this is the wisdom of the ages. Raised on these platitudes from religious and secular quarters alike, most people assume that to be moral simply is to be selfless. Ayn Rand rejects this assumption. She champions the virtue of selfishness. But what does that mean? This lecture highlights some of the key elements of rational egoism to illuminate what it is and is not. By refuting common misconceptions as well as indicating what genuine self-interest demands, it paves the way for the healthy exercise of selfishness and the happiness that it makes possi...
2023-05-2456 minAyn Rand Institute Live!Ayn Rand’s Ideas: An Introduction by Aaron SmithEvery major philosophy gives you answers to questions about the nature of the world we live in, about human nature, about how to live one’s life and organize society. The answers we accept (implicitly or explicitly) give us guidance and a framework for living. This talk will provide an overview of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism, and her original answers to these questions, which have sparked an idealistic movement for reason, rational self-interest and laissez-faire capitalism.Recorded live at Ayn Rand Con Europe 2023
2023-05-1043 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand vs. ‘Liberals’In this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer and Elan Journo discuss Ayn Rand’s philosophic analysis and critique of “liberals.” They explain what makes Rand’s evaluation of “liberalism” different from that of “conservatives,” why she thought “liberals” began concealing their collectivist goals, and how today’s “liberals” are different from (and worse than) those of Rand’s time.
Among the topics covered:
Ayn Rand’s analysis of “liberalism” as distinctive;
Problems with the term “liberal” and how “liberalism” changed in the twentieth century;
Rand’s critique as stemming from individualism, not anti-communism;
Why Rand saw active-minded “liberals” as an audience worth reaching;
How Rand saw the...
2023-04-211h 13New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteAyn Rand vs. ‘Liberals’In this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer and Elan Journo discuss Ayn Rand’s philosophic analysis and critique of “liberals.” They explain what makes Rand’s evaluation of “liberalism” different from that of “conservatives,” why she thought “liberals” began concealing their collectivist goals, and how today’s “liberals” are different from (and worse than) those of Rand’s time.
2023-04-211h 13Culture & Politics - New Ideal - Reason | Individualism | CapitalismAyn Rand vs. ‘Liberals’In this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer and Elan Journo discuss Ayn Rand’s philosophic analysis and critique of “liberals.” They explain what makes Rand’s evaluation of “liberalism” different from that of “conservatives,” why she thought “liberals” began concealing their collectivist goals, and how today’s “liberals” are different from (and worse than) those of Rand’s time.
2023-04-211h 13The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand vs. 'Liberals'In this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer and Elan Journo discuss Ayn Rand’s philosophic analysis and critique of “liberals.” They explain what makes Rand’s evaluation of “liberalism” different from that of “conservatives,” why she thought “liberals” began concealing their collectivist goals, and how today’s “liberals” are different from (and worse than) those of Rand’s time.
Among the topics covered:
Ayn Rand’s analysis of “liberalism” as distinctive;
Problems with the term “liberal” and how “liberalism” changed in the twentieth century;
Rand’s critique as stemming from individualism, not anti-communism;
Why Rand saw active-minded “liberals” as an audience worth reaching;
How Rand saw the...
2023-04-211h 13New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteExciting New Courses at the Ayn Rand UniversityIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer, Ziemowit Gowin, Harry Binswanger, Shoshana Milgram, and Don Watkins discuss new course offerings at the Ayn Rand University (ARU).
Among the topics covered:
The goals of the Ayn Rand University and how students can benefit from it;
Shoshana Milgram’s course Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment: Investigating the Mind of a Murderer;
How ARU courses facilitate in-depth study of Objectivism through feedback and interaction;
Harry Binswanger’s new courses on Objectivist Logic and Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology;
The best ARU courses for those new to Objectivism;
How ARU hel...
2023-04-071h 23The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastExciting New Courses at the Ayn Rand UniversityIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer, Ziemowit Gowin, Harry Binswanger, Shoshana Milgram, and Don Watkins discuss new course offerings at the Ayn Rand University (ARU).
Among the topics covered:
The goals of the Ayn Rand University and how students can benefit from it;
Shoshana Milgram’s course Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment: Investigating the Mind of a Murderer;
How ARU courses facilitate in-depth study of Objectivism through feedback and interaction;
Harry Binswanger’s new courses on Objectivist Logic and Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology;
The best ARU courses for those new to Objectivism;
How ARU helps to train new int...
2023-04-071h 23The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastExciting New Courses at the Ayn Rand UniversityIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer, Ziemowit Gowin, Harry Binswanger, Shoshana Milgram, and Don Watkins discuss new course offerings at the Ayn Rand University (ARU).
Among the topics covered:
The goals of the Ayn Rand University and how students can benefit from it;
Shoshana Milgram’s course Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment: Investigating the Mind of a Murderer;
How ARU courses facilitate in-depth study of Objectivism through feedback and interaction;
Harry Binswanger’s new courses on Objectivist Logic and Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology;
The best ARU courses for those new to Objectivism;
How ARU helps to train new int...
2023-04-071h 23New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteAyn Rand, the ValuerIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Aaron Smith interviews Harry Binswanger on Ayn Rand’s distinctive value-centered approach to philosophy — and to living life. As a long-time student of Rand and close friend in her final years, Binswanger shares his recollections of Rand’s passionate quest of values, both as presented in her works and ideas and in her personal life.
2023-02-061h 04The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand, the ValuerIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Aaron Smith interviews Harry Binswanger on Ayn Rand’s distinctive value-centered approach to philosophy — and to living life. As a long-time student of Rand and close friend in her final years, Binswanger shares his recollections of Rand's passionate quest of values, both as presented in her works and ideas and in her personal life.
Among the topics covered:
Ayn Rand’s integration of fact and value in philosophy and how it contrasts with traditional views;
How Rand answered long-standing philosophical questions about the basis and importance of values;
Why Rand held that material values...
2023-02-061h 04The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand, the ValuerIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Aaron Smith interviews Harry Binswanger on Ayn Rand’s distinctive value-centered approach to philosophy — and to living life. As a long-time student of Rand and close friend in her final years, Binswanger shares his recollections of Rand's passionate quest of values, both as presented in her works and ideas and in her personal life.
Among the topics covered:
Ayn Rand’s integration of fact and value in philosophy and how it contrasts with traditional views;
How Rand answered long-standing philosophical questions about the basis and importance of values;
Why Rand held that material values...
2023-02-061h 04Ayn Rand Institute Live!Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead”: The Story of Her Original Screenplay by Shoshana MilgramAyn Rand’s original screenplay for The Fountainhead was 283 pages long. The final screenplay for the 1949 film was less than half that length. Much of her work, therefore, has never been available to the public. The OCON program includes a performance of several scenes as originally planned and written. This follow-up talk provides additional information about Ayn Rand’s choices in the 1944 screenplay regarding the order and contexts of scenes and includes scenes rendered visually with no dialogue.
Recorded live on July 4, 2022 as part of the Objectivist Summer Conference.
2023-01-2559 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastDiscussing Ayn Rand on World Philosophy Day 2022In this episode of New Ideal Live, Aaron Smith and Mike Mazza discuss World Philosophy Day to explore what is the nature and value of philosophy. They address how philosophy is commonly perceived (especially within academia) as a useless field and how Ayn Rand's distinctive conception offers a deeper and more practical perspective that matters for life.
Among the topics covered:
What philosophy is and the kind of questions it addresses;
How people operate philosophically even when lacking a systematic outlook;
Ayn Rand’s take on philosophy as inescapable and life-impacting;
How contrasting philosophical worldviews produce different ways of living;
Ay...
2022-11-181h 06The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastDiscussing Ayn Rand on World Philosophy Day 2022In this episode of New Ideal Live, Aaron Smith and Mike Mazza discuss World Philosophy Day to explore what is the nature and value of philosophy. They address how philosophy is commonly perceived (especially within academia) as a useless field and how Ayn Rand's distinctive conception offers a deeper and more practical perspective that matters for life.
Among the topics covered:
What philosophy is and the kind of questions it addresses;
How people operate philosophically even when lacking a systematic outlook;
Ayn Rand’s take on philosophy as inescapable and life-impacting;
How contrasting philosophical worldviews produce different ways of living;
Ay...
2022-11-181h 06New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteAyn Rand’s Radical View of the United NationsIn this episode, Agustina Vergara Cid’s article “Ayn Rand’s Radical View of the United Nations” is featured. In that essay, Vergara Cid explains Ayn Rand’s unique opinion of the UN and her arguments against this organization. Rand’s arguments stand in sharp contrast to the commonly held view that the United Nations is a moral organization.
2022-07-2707 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Radical View of the United NationsIn this episode, Agustina Vergara Cid’s article “Ayn Rand’s Radical View of the United Nations” is featured. In that essay, Vergara Cid explains Ayn Rand’s unique opinion of the UN and her arguments against this organization. Rand’s arguments stand in sharp contrast to the commonly held view that the United Nations is a moral organization. Rand also rebuts the viewpoint that the UN is misguided but can be fixed, arguing instead that America's best option is to withdraw from the organization. Vergara Cid’s article was originally published in New Ideal, the Ayn Rand Institute’s journal, on Marc
2022-07-2707 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Radical View of the United NationsIn this episode, Agustina Vergara Cid’s article “Ayn Rand’s Radical View of the United Nations” is featured. In that essay, Vergara Cid explains Ayn Rand’s unique opinion of the UN and her arguments against this organization. Rand’s arguments stand in sharp contrast to the commonly held view that the United Nations is a moral organization. Rand also rebuts the viewpoint that the UN is misguided but can be fixed, arguing instead that America's best option is to withdraw from the organization. Vergara Cid’s article was originally published in New Ideal, the Ayn Rand Institute’s journal, on Marc
2022-07-2707 minMorality & Religion - New Ideal - Reason | Individualism | CapitalismAyn Rand on the Necessity of Moral JudgmentIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer discuss Ayn Rand’s provocative view of the meaning and importance of moral judgment as articulated in her fiction and in her nonfiction philosophic work.
This discussion assumes familiarity with Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged, and listeners should note that it includes plot spoilers.
2022-06-271h 14The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand on the Necessity of Moral JudgmentIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer discuss Ayn Rand’s provocative view of the meaning and importance of moral judgment as articulated in her fiction and in her nonfiction philosophic work.
This discussion assumes familiarity with Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged, and listeners should note that it includes plot spoilers.
Among the topics covered:
Why Ayn Rand thought the slogan “judge not, lest ye be judged” is radically wrong;Why moral judgment is necessary for living life;The importance of moral judgment in Rand’s novels;The need for moral judgment in foreign policy;How...
2022-06-271h 14New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteAyn Rand on the Necessity of Moral JudgmentIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer discuss Ayn Rand’s provocative view of the meaning and importance of moral judgment as articulated in her fiction and in her nonfiction philosophic work.
This discussion assumes familiarity with Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged, and listeners should note that it includes plot spoilers.
2022-06-271h 14The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand on the Necessity of Moral JudgmentIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer discuss Ayn Rand’s provocative view of the meaning and importance of moral judgment as articulated in her fiction and in her nonfiction philosophic work.
This discussion assumes familiarity with Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged, and listeners should note that it includes plot spoilers.
Among the topics covered:
Why Ayn Rand thought the slogan “judge not, lest ye be judged” is radically wrong;Why moral judgment is necessary for living life;The importance of moral judgment in Rand’s novels;The need for moral judgment in foreign policy;How...
2022-06-231h 14The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastPhilosophers’ Unprofessional Treatment of Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Mike Mazza discuss academic philosophers’ dismissals of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, and some of the reasons why academic philosophers often fail to live up to the profession’s scholarly standards when addressing Rand’s ideas.
Among the topics covered:
The provincial view of philosophy that leads Sidney Hook to dismiss Rand as unsophisticated in his review of her book For the New Intellectual;How Robert Nozick goes wrong in his article “On the Randian Argument” by approaching Rand’s inductive arguments as if they were deductive;James Rachels’s claim, in his widely-us...
2022-05-311h 08New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstitutePhilosophers’ Unprofessional Treatment of Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Mike Mazza discuss academic philosophers’ dismissals of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, and some of the reasons why academic philosophers often fail to live up to the profession’s scholarly standards when addressing Rand’s ideas.
Among the topics covered:
The provincial view of philosophy that leads Sidney Hook to dismiss Rand as unsophisticated in his review of her book For the New Intellectual;
How Robert Nozick goes wrong in his article “On the Randian Argument” by approaching Rand’s inductive arguments as if they were deductive;
James Rachels’...
2022-05-311h 08The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastPhilosophers’ Unprofessional Treatment of Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Mike Mazza discuss academic philosophers’ dismissals of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, and some of the reasons why academic philosophers often fail to live up to the profession’s scholarly standards when addressing Rand’s ideas.
Among the topics covered:
The provincial view of philosophy that leads Sidney Hook to dismiss Rand as unsophisticated in his review of her book For the New Intellectual;How Robert Nozick goes wrong in his article “On the Randian Argument” by approaching Rand’s inductive arguments as if they were deductive;James Rachels’s claim, in his widely-us...
2022-05-261h 08New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteWhat Was Ayn Rand’s View of ‘Conservatism’?By many of her fans and critics, Ayn Rand was often seen as belonging within the “conservative” movement. But Rand was not simply critical of “conservatism,” she repudiated it emphatically. Whereas she viewed the “liberals” of her time as morally corrupt for stealthily pushing the United States toward statism, she thought that there was something “more reprehensible still”: the attempt by “conservatives” to “defend freedom by stealth.” In this essay, originally published in New Ideal on June 30, 2021, Elan Journo looks at what Rand objected to, and why.
2022-03-3020 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhat Was Ayn Rand’s View of ‘Conservatism’?By many of her fans and critics, Ayn Rand was often seen as belonging within the “conservative” movement. But Rand was not simply critical of “conservatism,” she repudiated it emphatically. Whereas she viewed the “liberals” of her time as morally corrupt for stealthily pushing the United States toward statism, she thought that there was something “more reprehensible still”: the attempt by “conservatives” to “defend freedom by stealth.” In this essay, originally published in New Ideal on June 30, 2021, Elan Journo looks at what Rand objected to, and why.
Podcast audio:
2022-03-3020 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand on Economics: How Capitalism Hinges on PhilosophyAyn Rand’s nonfiction book Capitalism has a subtitle that is truly startling. Rand held that capitalism is “The Unknown Ideal.”
Capitalism is a social system so widely misunderstood and distorted and maligned that few understand its nature and history — let alone view it as morally good. Rand observed: “No politico-economic system in history has ever proved its value so eloquently or has benefited mankind so greatly as capitalism — and none has ever been attacked so savagely, viciously, and blindly.”
Rand’s philosophic case for laissez-faire capitalism is the focus of a superb new collection of scholarly essays, Foundations of a Free Society...
2022-02-1853 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand on Economics: How Capitalism Hinges on PhilosophyAyn Rand’s nonfiction book Capitalism has a subtitle that is truly startling. Rand held that capitalism is “The Unknown Ideal.”
Capitalism is a social system so widely misunderstood and distorted and maligned that few understand its nature and history — let alone view it as morally good. Rand observed: “No politico-economic system in history has ever proved its value so eloquently or has benefited mankind so greatly as capitalism — and none has ever been attacked so savagely, viciously, and blindly.”
Rand’s philosophic case for laissez-faire capitalism is the focus of a superb new collection of scholarly essays, Foundations of a Free Society...
2022-02-1853 minNew Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteAyn Rand on Free Speech and Church-State SeparationWhat is the principle of freedom of speech? How does it relate to the separation of church and state? What is the justification for such a separation? What was Ayn Rand’s view on these issues and on the connections between them? To answer these and related questions, Elan Journo sat down to talk with philosopher Onkar Ghate, senior fellow and chief philosophy officer at Ayn Rand Institute.
2022-02-1851 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand on Free Speech and Church-State SeparationWhat is the principle of freedom of speech? How does it relate to the separation of church and state? What is the justification for such a separation? What was Ayn Rand’s view on these issues and on the connections between them? To answer these and related questions, Elan Journo sat down to talk with philosopher Onkar Ghate, senior fellow and chief philosophy officer at Ayn Rand Institute. More on the interview is available here. A few of the topics explored in the conversation:
Why freedom of speech is an aspect of the principle of intellectual freedom.
How the philosopher Jo...
2022-02-1851 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand on Free Speech and Church-State SeparationWhat is the principle of freedom of speech? How does it relate to the separation of church and state? What is the justification for such a separation? What was Ayn Rand’s view on these issues and on the connections between them? To answer these and related questions, Elan Journo sat down to talk with philosopher Onkar Ghate, senior fellow and chief philosophy officer at Ayn Rand Institute. More on the interview is available here. A few of the topics explored in the conversation:
Why freedom of speech is an aspect of the principle of intellectual freedom.How the philosopher Jo...
2022-02-1851 minNew Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstitutePowerful Life Lessons from Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Aaron Smith discuss major life lessons that we can learn from Ayn Rand. The discussion was held on the occasion of Rand’s birthday.
Among the topics covered:
Rand’s conviction that business is a moral activity;
Why not all businessmen live up to the essence of their profession;
The moral radicalism of Rand’s view of business;
Rand’s portrayal of career as a source of joy;
Rand’s unique view of the role of the material world in a spiritual life;
The effort and thought ne...
2022-02-071h 02The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastPowerful Life Lessons from Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Aaron Smith discuss major life lessons that we can learn from Ayn Rand. The discussion was held on the occasion of Rand’s birthday.
Among the topics covered:
Rand’s conviction that business is a moral activity;Why not all businessmen live up to the essence of their profession;The moral radicalism of Rand’s view of business;Rand’s portrayal of career as a source of joy;Rand’s unique view of the role of the material world in a spiritual life;The effort and thought needed to find joy in a c...
2022-02-071h 02The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastPowerful Life Lessons from Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Aaron Smith discuss major life lessons that we can learn from Ayn Rand. The discussion was held on the occasion of Rand’s birthday.
Among the topics covered:
Rand’s conviction that business is a moral activity;Why not all businessmen live up to the essence of their profession;The moral radicalism of Rand’s view of business;Rand’s portrayal of career as a source of joy;Rand’s unique view of the role of the material world in a spiritual life;The effort and thought needed to find joy in a c...
2022-02-071h 02The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Unique Understanding of RacismIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss Ayn Rand’s distinctive understanding of racism.
Among the topics covered:
Why Rand thought racism is not fundamentally an issue of institutionalized power;Why Rand thought that racism is the idea that one’s character is produced by internal physiology;The difference between racism and having affection for one’s country;Why racism is a version of determinist collectivism;Whether individual freedom incentivizes racism;How racism rationalizes the desire for the unearned;Ayn Rand’s view of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;The invalidity of the concept of “stat...
2022-01-171h 01New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteAyn Rand’s Unique Understanding of RacismIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss Ayn Rand’s distinctive understanding of racism.
Among the topics covered:
Why Rand thought racism is not fundamentally an issue of institutionalized power;
Why Rand thought that racism is the idea that one’s character is produced by internal physiology;
The difference between racism and having affection for one’s country;
Why racism is a version of determinist collectivism;
Whether individual freedom incentivizes racism;
How racism rationalizes the desire for the unearned;
Ayn Rand’s view of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
The invalidi...
2022-01-171h 01The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Unique Understanding of RacismIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss Ayn Rand’s distinctive understanding of racism.
Among the topics covered:
Why Rand thought racism is not fundamentally an issue of institutionalized power;Why Rand thought that racism is the idea that one’s character is produced by internal physiology;The difference between racism and having affection for one’s country;Why racism is a version of determinist collectivism;Whether individual freedom incentivizes racism;How racism rationalizes the desire for the unearned;Ayn Rand’s view of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;The invalidity of the concept of “stat...
2022-01-171h 01The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhat ‘9 Life Lessons from Ayn Rand’ Gets Right (and Wrong)In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Onkar Ghate discuss the successes and errors of the video “9 Life Lessons from Ayn Rand,” which is an attempt to draw life guidance from Ayn Rand’s philosophy by the YouTube channel Philosophies for Life.
Among the topics covered:
Why Philosophies for Life’s treatment of Rand is worth discussing;The video’s well-intentioned but conventional attempt to present Rand’s view of reason;The video’s misunderstanding of what Rand means by selfishness and sacrifice;The contrast between Rand’s unconventional, principled conception of the virtue of honesty and the video’s conv...
2021-12-271h 06New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteWhat ‘9 Life Lessons from Ayn Rand’ Gets Right (and Wrong)In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Onkar Ghate discuss the successes and errors of the video “9 Life Lessons from Ayn Rand,” which is an attempt to draw life guidance from Ayn Rand’s philosophy by the YouTube channel Philosophies for Life.
2021-12-271h 06The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhat ‘9 Life Lessons from Ayn Rand’ Gets Right (and Wrong)In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Onkar Ghate discuss the successes and errors of the video “9 Life Lessons from Ayn Rand,” which is an attempt to draw life guidance from Ayn Rand’s philosophy by the YouTube channel Philosophies for Life.
Among the topics covered:
Why Philosophies for Life’s treatment of Rand is worth discussing;The video’s well-intentioned but conventional attempt to present Rand’s view of reason;The video’s misunderstanding of what Rand means by selfishness and sacrifice;The contrast between Rand’s unconventional, principled conception of the virtue of honesty and the video’s conv...
2021-12-271h 06The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastQuillette’s Anti-Intellectual Treatment of Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo, Robert Mayhew and Keith Lockitch discuss the philosophic significance of the anti-intellectual treatment of Ayn Rand in a recent article published in Quillette magazine.
Among the topics covered:
Quillette’s history of publishing heterodox, intellectually serious articles;The basic incompetence and unoriginality of Quillette’s piece on Ayn Rand;Why Rand appeals to the idealism of youth, and why critics sneer at young people’s interest in her;Why people often claim to have “outgrown” Rand;The meaning of Allan Bloom’s and Steven Pinker’s dismissals of Rand;The value of commenting...
2021-12-2052 minNew Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteQuillette’s Anti-Intellectual Treatment of Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo, Robert Mayhew and Keith Lockitch discuss the philosophic significance of the anti-intellectual treatment of Ayn Rand in a recent article published in Quillette magazine.
Among the topics covered:
Quillette’s history of publishing heterodox, intellectually serious articles;
The basic incompetence and unoriginality of Quillette’s piece on Ayn Rand;
Why Rand appeals to the idealism of youth, and why critics sneer at young people’s interest in her;
Why people often claim to have “outgrown” Rand;
The meaning of Allan Bloom’s and Steven Pinker’s dismissals of Rand;
The v...
2021-12-2052 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastQuillette's Anti-Intellectual Treatment of Ayn RandIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo, Robert Mayhew and Keith Lockitch discuss the philosophic significance of the anti-intellectual treatment of Ayn Rand in a recent article published in Quillette magazine.
Among the topics covered:
Quillette’s history of publishing heterodox, intellectually serious articles;The basic incompetence and unoriginality of Quillette’s piece on Ayn Rand;Why Rand appeals to the idealism of youth, and why critics sneer at young people’s interest in her;Why people often claim to have “outgrown” Rand;The meaning of Allan Bloom’s and Steven Pinker’s dismissals of Rand;The value of commenting...
2021-12-2052 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhat Jonah Goldberg’s Rejection of Ayn Rand RevealsIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Onkar Ghate discuss Jonah Goldberg’s public rejection of Ayn Rand, and what that shows about the conservative movement.
Among the topics covered:
Why Goldberg’s comments matter;How Goldberg’s adamant rejection of Ayn Rand betrays his ambivalence about the value of freedom;Why Goldberg says Rand doesn’t belong in the conservative movement;Whittaker Chambers’s dishonest, anti-American article about Atlas Shrugged;Why Ayn Rand’s opposition to religion threatens conservatives;The irrationality of Goldberg’s conservative view that everyone must respect religion;The anti-intellectuality of Goldberg’s reaction to Ayn...
2021-11-081h 11The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhat Jonah Goldberg’s Rejection of Ayn Rand Reveals
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Onkar Ghate discuss Jonah Goldberg’s public rejection of Ayn Rand, and what that shows about the conservative movement.
Among the topics covered:
* Why Goldberg’s comments matter;* How Goldberg’s adamant rejection of Ayn Rand betrays his ambivalence about the value of freedom;* Why Goldberg says Rand doesn’t belong in the conservative movement;* Whittaker Chambers’s dishonest, anti-American article about Atlas Shrugged;* Why Ayn Rand’s opposition to religion threatens conservatives;* The irrationality of Goldberg’s conservative view that everyone must respect religion;* The anti-intellectuality of Goldberg’s reaction to Ayn...
2021-11-081h 11New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteWhat Jonah Goldberg’s Rejection of Ayn Rand RevealsIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Onkar Ghate discuss Jonah Goldberg’s public rejection of Ayn Rand, and what that shows about the conservative movement.
Among the topics covered:
Why Goldberg’s comments matter;
How Goldberg’s adamant rejection of Ayn Rand betrays his ambivalence about the value of freedom;
Why Goldberg says Rand doesn’t belong in the conservative movement;
Whittaker Chambers’s dishonest, anti-American article about Atlas Shrugged;
Why Ayn Rand’s opposition to religion threatens conservatives;
The irrationality of Goldberg’s conservative view that everyone must respect religion;
The anti-intellect...
2021-11-081h 11New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteThe Ayn Rand University: ARI’s Expanded Educational ProgramIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Aaron Smith, Ben Bayer and Keith Lockitch discuss ARI’s ambitious plans for growing the Ayn Rand University, an alternative educational institution encompassing the existing undergraduate programs of the Objectivist Academic Center plus new graduate course offerings.
Among the topics covered:
Trends toward tribalism and intellectual conformity in the culture and particularly in academia;
The need to disrupt education by creating alternative institutions, especially in the humanities;
The vital role of philosophy and professional intellectuals in changing the course of a culture;
A history of ARI’s efforts to prov...
2021-10-1100 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastThe Ayn Rand University: ARI’s Expanded Educational Program
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Aaron Smith, Ben Bayer and Keith Lockitch discuss ARI’s ambitious plans for growing the Ayn Rand University, an alternative educational institution encompassing the existing undergraduate programs of the Objectivist Academic Center plus new graduate course offerings.
Among the topics covered:
* Trends toward tribalism and intellectual conformity in the culture and particularly in academia;* The need to disrupt education by creating alternative institutions, especially in the humanities;* The vital role of philosophy and professional intellectuals in changing the course of a culture;* A history of ARI’s efforts to provide intellectual training in Obje...
2021-10-1100 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastThe Ayn Rand University: ARI’s Expanded Educational ProgramIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Aaron Smith, Ben Bayer and Keith Lockitch discuss ARI’s ambitious plans for growing the Ayn Rand University, an alternative educational institution encompassing the existing undergraduate programs of the Objectivist Academic Center plus new graduate course offerings.
Among the topics covered:
Trends toward tribalism and intellectual conformity in the culture and particularly in academia;The need to disrupt education by creating alternative institutions, especially in the humanities;The vital role of philosophy and professional intellectuals in changing the course of a culture;A history of ARI’s efforts to provide intellectual training in Obje...
2021-10-1100 minThe Ayn Rand Institute PodcastThe Value of Ayn Rand’s Anthem to Today’s Students
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Aaron Smith and Sam Weaver draw on their classroom experiences to discuss the impact of Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem on students.
Among the topics covered:
* An overview of Anthem and how it’s used in classrooms;* Why Anthem’s story interests teenagers;* Anthem’s focus on the importance of intellectual independence;* How individualism is portrayed in the novel;* How the philosophical issues presented in Anthem are relevant to students’ lives;* Some of the features that make the novel unique;* The challenges in teaching Anthem, plus teachers’ guides and other resources;* Why teachers like to teac...
2021-09-2000 minNew Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteAyn Rand’s Repudiation of the UNIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Agustina Vergara Cid discuss Ayn Rand’s distinctive, philosophical perspective on the United Nations.
Among the topics covered:
Ayn Rand’s commentary on the UN as an example of her engagement with the important issues of her time;
Ayn Rand’s philosophical evaluation of the UN vs.
2021-08-161h 08The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand’s Repudiation of the UN
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Agustina Vergara Cid discuss Ayn Rand’s distinctive, philosophical perspective on the United Nations.
Among the topics covered:
* Ayn Rand’s commentary on the UN as an example of her engagement with the important issues of her time;* Ayn Rand’s philosophical evaluation of the UN vs. other conventional views;* The “grotesque pretense” of an organization with Soviet Russia as a charter member;* The consequences of the UN’s moral equivalence between free countries and dictatorships;* How the UN Human Rights Council provides moral cover for evil regimes such as Venezuela an...
2021-08-161h 08New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteWhy Ayn Rand Rejected ‘Conservatism’In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Keith Lockitch discuss the false viewpoint that Ayn Rand belonged to the “conservative” movement.
Among the topics covered:
Why people associate Ayn Rand with the “conservative” movement;
Rand’s own experience with the conservative movement;
What people saw conservatism as standing for in Rand’s time;
Rand’s view that the defense of freedom has to be based in the morality of self-interest, not altruism;
Rand’s central charge that conservatism was intellectually bankrupt and unwilling to reject altruism;
Rand’s response to the conservative arguments for freedom;
How R...
2021-07-091h 11The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhy Ayn Rand Rejected ‘Conservatism’
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Keith Lockitch discuss the false viewpoint that Ayn Rand belonged to the “conservative” movement.
Among the topics covered:
* Why people associate Ayn Rand with the “conservative” movement;* Rand’s own experience with the conservative movement;* What people saw conservatism as standing for in Rand’s time;* Rand’s view that the defense of freedom has to be based in the morality of self-interest, not altruism;* Rand’s central charge that conservatism was intellectually bankrupt and unwilling to reject altruism;* Rand’s response to the conservative arguments for freedom;* How Rand predicted the rise...
2021-07-091h 11New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteAyn Rand on God, Reason and AtheismIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and special guest Robert Mayhew discuss Ayn Rand’s views on God and religion.
Among the topics covered:
What Ayn Rand meant when she said that religion “is a primitive form of philosophy”;
What differentiates philosophy from religion;
How the rise of philosophy influenced and antagonized religion;
Why Objectivism is intransigently atheistic but not militant;
Why Rand thought of religion as an unworthy adversary to her philosophy;
Whether people believe in God because of arguments, or use arguments simply to rationalize a prior belief in God;
Why the co...
2021-06-141h 10The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastAyn Rand on God, Reason and Atheism
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and special guest Robert Mayhew discuss Ayn Rand’s views on God and religion.
Among the topics covered:
* What Ayn Rand meant when she said that religion “is a primitive form of philosophy”;* What differentiates philosophy from religion;* How the rise of philosophy influenced and antagonized religion;* Why Objectivism is intransigently atheistic but not militant;* Why Rand thought of religion as an unworthy adversary to her philosophy;* Whether people believe in God because of arguments, or use arguments simply to rationalize a prior belief in God;* Why the concept of God and of...
2021-06-141h 10The Ayn Rand Institute PodcastWhat Gave Ayn Rand the Moral Right to Collect Social Security?
Some myths never seem to die, especially the ones that draw life support from ceaseless social media invective. You cannot follow Ayn Rand on Facebook or Twitter without repeatedly encountering the accusation that she was a hypocrite for accepting Social Security benefits, since she opposed the welfare state in all its forms. Rarely, however, do her attackers bother even to read what she wrote on the subject. To clarify the issues, I wrote this article a few years ago, hoping to encourage careful attention to her reasoning as a prerequisite to passing judgment. Since the myth still lives, I’m pu...
2021-03-2208 min
Ayn Rand Centre UK PodcastWas Ayn Rand Wrong About A Woman President? Harry Binswanger & James Valliant, Chair: Gloria AlvarezUp 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/
2021-01-121h 59Ayn Rand Centre UK PodcastWas Ayn Rand Wrong About Homosexuality? | Dr. Harry Binswanger & James ValliantAyn 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 supporti...
2020-12-311h 53Ayn Rand Centre UK PodcastDebate: Was Ayn Rand Wrong About Native Americans? James Valliant & Nikos, Chair: Gloria AlvarezOne 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/
2020-12-261h 30New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteAyn Rand’s Critique of the ‘Left’In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Onkar Ghate discuss the philosophy behind the “left,” and Ayn Rand’s critique of it.
Among the topics covered:
The philosophical roots of the “left” as a political phenomenon;
Why Ayn Rand thought the ideas behind socialism, communism and fascism are evil;
Why Rand thought that these nominally secular ideas were still forms of mysticism;
Why Rand thought that conservative politicians of her time failed to oppose the left on principle;
How Rand differentiated the “New Left” from the old;
Environmentalism, racism and tribalism as outgrowths of “New Left”
2020-12-211h 04New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand InstituteChanging People’s Minds about Ayn Rand’s Controversial IdeasIn this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate And Ben Bayer talk about the Ayn Rand Institute’s approach to promoting Rand’s ideas in the face of cultural opposition, and what is needed to change people’s mind on important philosophical issues.
Among the topics covered:
Why changing minds is important;
ARI’s long-term mission of changing the culture’s philosophical ideas, as inspired by Ayn Rand’s view of the importance of philosophy;
Why it’s important to speak up about important issues of the day;
Why knowing one’s audience is important to persuasion;
A...
2020-12-141h 06
Philosophy for Living On EarthWhat Makes Ayn Rand’s Philosophy Distinctive? by Onkar GhateHave you ever wondered what Ayn Rand’s philosophy—which she called Objectivism—is all about? Why is she such a controversial figure with millions of fans who love The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged but also with many, many critics who call her books and ideas evil? Onkar Ghate, a senior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, discusses…
2019-11-0600 min