Heated disputes, protracted conflicts, and outright schisms are common in intellectual movements—even in the positive, rational movements, such as Objectivism. In the just-published essay “Of Schisms, Public and Private,” Onkar Ghate and Harry Binswanger discuss why schisms occur within intellectual movements, and the principles that guide ARI in navigating them. Elan Journo interviews Drs. Ghate … Continue reading Navigating Schisms in the Objectivist Movement
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Russian’s war against Ukraine has riveted world attention. Protesters within Russia have opposed their own regime’s war, and around the world many have voiced support for Ukraine. Onkar Ghate, Elan Journo and Aaron Smith analyze the philosophic meaning of the war, the global reactions to it, and the war’s wider implications for America and freedom. … Continue reading The Meaning of Russia’s War on Ukraine
Elan Journo and Keith Lockitch discuss the Academy Award-nominated film "Don't Look Up," a satire of our culture's attitude to climate change, and the philosophic ideas underpinning it. Recorded Feb. 23, 2022. https://youtu.be/rbytProzeSs
Elan Journo and Agustina Vergara Cid discuss Russia’s possible invasion of Ukraine, America’s stake in this crisis and U.S. foreign policy toward Russia. Recorded Feb. 16, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1a3e7P1Ziw
Elan Journo interviews Peter Schwartz about his book “The Tyranny of Need,” and the rational alternative to the prevailing morality of self-sacrifice. Recorded January 26, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5cJ1X-j_JI
With hospitals once again overburdened amid the pandemic, Ben Bayer and Elan Journo discuss the strains and "moral distress" felt by healthcare workers, driving some to quit the profession. Recorded January 19, 2022. https://youtu.be/3_H6UYXzAyU
What does it mean to be “selfish”? Being “selfish” is the easiest thing in the world, many people believe, since it means being thoughtless, emotion-driven, predatory. The terms “selfish” or “egoistic” bring to mind the image of an unscrupulous, deformed character. Think of the jerks, crooks, and villains of novels, movies, and TV — and … Continue reading Can an Egoist Be Virtuous?
The highly trafficked “Philosophies for Life” Youtube channel released a video attempting to distill “9 Life Lessons from Ayn Rand.” The 25 minute video has gained more than 44,000 views so far: how well does it succeed at its goal? Compared to how Rand is often treated by professional intellectuals, the video is remarkable for … Continue reading What “9 Life Lessons from Ayn Rand” Gets Right (and Wrong)