DOCSLIB.ORG

OCON 2019—Celebrating 50 Years of the Romantic Manifesto(Pp. 6–7)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
OCON 2019—Celebrating 50 Years of the Romantic Manifesto(Pp. 6–7) 2019 Q2 IMPACTA PUBLICATION OF THE AYN RAND® INSTITUTE OCON 2019—Celebrating 50 Years of The Romantic Manifesto (pp. 6–7) AynRand®Con 2019 Reason, Purpose, Self-Esteem: Keys to a Better Life OCTOBER 25 — 27, 2019 W HOTEL MIDTOWN – ATLANTA, GEORGIA “ To live, man must hold three things as the supreme and ruling values of his life: Reason—Purpose—Self-esteem. ” —Ayn Rand oin the Ayn Rand Institute, October 25–27, in Atlanta, at AynRandCon 2019, to learn about Rand’s unique Jperspective on these values and how they are the keys to a better life and society. AynRandCon is open to everyone—whether they are longtime Rand fans or first-time readers. Attendees will network with other intellectually active students and hear talks on the biggest philosophical questions in life. FEATURED SPEAKERS: Ben Bayer Harry Binswanger Yaron Brook Keith Lockitch Dave Rubin Gregory Salmieri Tara Smith Tal Tsfany Student travel and lodging scholarships are available. Interested in attending or sponsoring AynRandCon 2019? Visit aynrandcon.org The Ayn Rand Institute does not necessarily endorse the content of the lectures and courses offered. Conference payments do not qualify as tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. Ayn Rand® is a registered trademark and is used by permission ©2019 The Ayn Rand® Institute. Letter from CONTENTS the CEO Second Quarter Highlights 4 Quarter in Review ARI’s New Weekly Webinar Series: Philosophy for Living on Earth 5 elcome to this issue of Impact! I’m pleased to report on an eventful Wand exciting second quarter. OCON 2019—Celebrating Fifty Years of In this edition, you’ll learn about ARI’s increasing output of new introductory content—educational webinars, videos, courses and live The Romantic Manifesto 6 events, meant to be easily discoverable and interesting to intelligent and eager individuals who are starving for better ideas. (See page 5 and read about ARI’s new weekly webinar series, Philosophy for Living on Earth.) On pages 12–13, you’ll learn about a significant expansion of ARI’s live event offerings in 2019 and 2020—including new weekend-long and Spreading Objectivism: A Vision for one-day Ayn Rand Conferences (AynRandCons). ARI’s Future 8 In the “Objectivism and My Life” feature on pages 10–11, we interview a long- time contributor to the Institute, retired Army colonel Bradley Foster. Brad first read Atlas Shrugged as a young Army officer stationed overseas. Shortly after returning home, he co-founded University of Michigan Students of Objectivism—a successful club and a worthy recipient of assistance from the then-recently founded ARI. Brad’s life story and his insights about Objectivism and My Life: philosophy’s role in that story made for a fascinating interview. Interview with Bradley Foster 10 Finally, this Impact reflects on Objectivist Conference (OCON) 2019, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of The Romantic Manifesto. This OCON took attendees on a deep exploration of art—not only the Objectivist theory of esthetics, but also a tour de force of great art itself. There was a moving live performance of scenes from Cyrano de Bergerac, a beautiful classical concert, Building the Objectivist Community— a display of some of Ayn Rand’s favorite works, and other offerings. Many One Event at a Time energized attendees have already signed up for next year’s OCON, which will 12 be held in Austin, Texas. Learn more about OCON 2020 at aynrand.org/ ocon2020. I hope to see you there! Sincerely, The False Promise of Stoicism by Aaron Smith 14 Tal Tsfany, President and CEO Ayn Rand Institute IMPACT 2019 Q2 3 SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS 40 23.5M SPEAKING EVENTS POST IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD IMPRESSIONS 660K POST REACTIONS, CLICKS, ARI Campus and the Ayn Rand COMMENTS AND SHARES ARI University Mobile App: CAMPUS UNIVERSITY NEW YEAR-1 OBJECTIVIST ACADEMIC CENTER STUDENTS AND AUDITORS ENROLLED FOR • 50 THE FALL SEMESTER VIDEO HOURS CONSUMED IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2019 • 24.2K+ 4.1KNEW IN Q2 42K+CURRENT SUBSCRIBERS AVERAGE WATCH-HOURS PER MONTH • 8K+ HOURS OF VIDEO OF COURSE ENGAGEMENT VIA THE 77.3K+ WATCH-TIME AYN RAND UNIVERSITY MOBILE APP • 50% 52% U.S. 48% NON-U.S. APP DOWNLOADS, • 16K+COUNTRIES UP 8K+ FROM REACHED Q1 130K+FREE BOOKS SHIPPED YTD (BY JUNE 30) The New Ideal article “The False Promise of Stoicism” by ARI fellow and Objectivist Academic Center instructor Aaron Smith was picked up by Google News, helping it to become the publication’s most widely read piece to date. (See pp. 14–15.) 4 IMPACT 2019 Q2 ARI’S NEW WEEKLY WEBINAR SERIES: PHILOSOPHY FOR LIVING ON EARTH n an effort to encourage newcomers to read Here is a list of some of the questions that have been I Ayn Rand’s works, consume educational discussed in recent webinars: content and attend local Objectivist group • Does Love Require Sacrifice? meetings, the Ayn Rand Institute is hosting a • Can There Be Good Without God? new weekly webinar series called Philosophy for • What Is Self-Esteem? How Do I Get It? Living on Earth. • Can You Take Credit for Who You Are? • Should I Follow My Head or My Heart? The series was developed to increase the amount of easy- to-find introductory content on Objectivism for anyone • Is Selfishness the Root of All Evil? browsing online for related topics—and to support local • Should I Go by Reason or by Faith? community groups and their members with a steady stream • What Are Rights and Where Do They Come From? of content for discussion. • Isn’t Everybody Selfish? These free webinars feature twenty-minute presentations by • Isn’t Free Will an Illusion? Objectivist intellectuals, followed by forty-minute Q&As with online attendees. The series premiered on Saturday, July 20, Over one thousand people have already subscribed to this free 2019, and takes place weekly. Each webinar addresses crucial weekly webinar series. Subscribe now at courses.aynrand. issues in life (e.g., career, romance, self-esteem, morality) org/webinars to receive your personalized call-in details! from a philosophical perspective and does not presuppose You can browse past episodes on ARI’s YouTube channel knowledge of Objectivism. (youtube.com/aynrandinstitute) or on the ARI Live! podcast. IMPACT 2019 Q2 5 OCON 2019—CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS OF THE ROMANTIC MANIFESTO n June, more than 450 Ayn Rand admirers met in One of the art-related general sessions featured Yaron I Cleveland, Ohio, for ARI’s annual Objectivist summer Brook and Onkar Ghate exploring some of the insights into conference. Held at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, Objectivism one can get from the Romantic Manifesto and the conference featured five full days of programming to offering lessons to take—and not to take—from the book to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Romantic Manifesto— increase one’s enjoyment of art and of life. In a related session, and offered opportunities to learn about Ayn Rand’s Brook and Ghate discussed the difference between great art ideas and to socialize and network. and art you like; how to define your personal favorites; and The conference featured Harry Binswanger’s presentation of how, over time, to elevate your taste in art. his course Logic: The Cashing In, as well as talks by Yaron Although art was the focus of the conference, other Brook, Alex Epstein, Onkar Ghate, Robert Mayhew, Gregory philosophical topics were discussed in a variety of general Salmieri, Tara Smith, Tal Tsfany, Lisa VanDamme and others. sessions, talks and panels—some particularly timely. Brian Also on the program were events that included prominent Amerige, Yaron Brook, Dave Rubin and Gregory Salmieri social media personalities Gloria Álvarez and Dave Rubin of engaged in a panel discussion on the relationship between The Rubin Report. “big tech” companies and the issue of free speech. This event was livestreamed and has accumulated over 70,000 views so far on Dave Rubin’s YouTube channel. Rajshree Agarwal CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS and Tal Tsfany presented a general session about integrating There were many arts-related talks and events devoted to Rand’s philosophy into one’s life and career to achieve literature, music, sculpture and painting, as well as live happiness and live a life with purpose. Tara Smith examined performances, that gave this year’s conference a palpable the underappreciated implications of free speech on free emotional resonance. Quent Cordair Fine Art staged a markets. pop-up gallery offering its own programming for attendee The conference offered many opportunities to socialize enjoyment. Ann Ciccolella directed a performance of selected with other Ayn Rand admirers, including those new to Ayn scenes from Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, whom Rand’s ideas or attending the conference for the first time. Ayn Rand regarded as a top-rank Romantic playwright. ARI hosted a First-Timers Meet and Greet reception where Thomas Shoebotham conducted a classical concert first-time attendees were welcomed to the conference and featuring works by Edvard Grieg, Samuel Barber, and Pyotr given an opportunity to meet ARI staff, conference speakers Tchaikovsky. Lisa VanDamme’s lectures “Literature and and other first-timers. In addition to the opening and closing the Quest for Meaning” and “Keats, Life and Poetry” were receptions and dance, there was an attendee talent show, Ayn as moving as they were intellectually stimulating. The rare Rand Trivia night and a mixer and graduation ceremony for deep immersion into art made the conference especially Objectivist Academic Center students and alumni. Attendees meaningful to many. gathered after-hours at the hotel lobby, bar and outside 6 IMPACT 2019 Q2 garden for friendly discussions and other fun activities. Many attendees organized outings to the Cleveland Museum of Art, West Side Market, the USS Cod Submarine Memorial and other local attractions.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ayn Rand? Ayn Rand Ayn
    Who Is Ayn Rand? Ayn Rand Few 20th century intellectuals have been as influential—and controversial— as the novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand. Her thinking still has a profound impact, particularly on those who come to it through her novels, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead—with their core messages of individualism, self-worth, and the right to live without the impositions of others. Although ignored or scorned by some academics, traditionalists, pro- gressives, and public intellectuals, her thought remains a major influence on Ayn Rand many of the world’s leading legislators, policy advisers, economists, entre- preneurs, and investors. INTRODUCTION AN Why does Rand’s work remain so influential? Ayn Rand: An Introduction illuminates Rand’s importance, detailing her understanding of reality and human nature, and explores the ongoing fascination with and debates about her conclusions on knowledge, morality, politics, economics, government, AN INTRODUCTION public issues, aesthetics and literature. The book also places these in the context of her life and times, showing how revolutionary they were, and how they have influenced and continue to impact public policy debates. EAMONN BUTLER is director of the Adam Smith Institute, a leading think tank in the UK. He holds degrees in economics and psychology, a PhD in philosophy, and an honorary DLitt. A former winner of the Freedom Medal of Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge and the UK National Free Enterprise Award, Eamonn is currently secretary of the Mont Pelerin Society. Butler is the author of many books, including introductions on the pioneering economists Eamonn Butler Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, F.
    [Show full text]
  • Introducing More Students to Ayn Rand's Ideas
    Volume 11, Number 9, September 2005 Introducing More Students to Ayn Rand’s Ideas he 14,332 high school students who entered Ayn Rand’s works but, for lack of funding, cannot Tthe Ayn Rand Institute’s annual essay contest obtain enough copies for their classrooms. With in 2005 will soon receive an acknowledgement of the books, we also send suggested lesson-plans their effort and an invitation to read another of Ayn and teachers guides. Rand’s novels—in the form of a free copy of The In the last three years the Institute has distrib- Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged. uted more than 165,000 free books. Whereas, to In the fall ARI will send all students who date, the flyers have produced a steadily grow- submitted essays to The Fountainhead contest ing stream of book requests, the Web site has the last academic year a complimentary copy of potential to generate a torrent. Atlas Shrugged. These students are entering their ARI’s ability to supply books depends senior year in school or have recently graduated; on funding. The decision to invite teachers to those starting college are eligible to enter our request books online was made after the Institute contest on Atlas. received a million-dollar contribution to help All 9,525 students who entered the Anthem fund the program. contest as freshmen or sophomores in 2005 will soon receive a copy of The Fountainhead. Of these Foundation’s Grant Is Matched—Again former entrants, students now in the 11th grade are For the second straight year, a foundation in eligible to enter the Fountainhead contest.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Rational Egoism
    Understanding Rational Egoism CRAIG BIDDLE Copyright © 2018 by The Objective Standard. All rights reserved. The Rational Alternative to “Liberalism” and Conservatism OBAMACARE v. GOVERNMENT’S ASSAULT ANDY KESSLER ON Ayn Rand THE BRILLIANCE THE CONSTITUTION (p.11) ON CAREER COLLEGES (p.53) “EATING PEOPLE” (p.75) Contra Nietzsche CEO Jim Brown’s Vision OF LOUIS PASTEURTHE OBJECTIVE STANDARD THE WAR BETWEEN STANDARD OBJECTIVE THE for the Ayn Rand Institute EDUCATION IN INTELLECTUALS AND CAPITALISM Capitalism A FREE SOCIETY Because Science Alex Epstein on How to The Objective StandardVOL. 6, NO. 2 • SUMMER 2011 THE OBJECTIVE STANDARD The Objective Standard Improve Your World – 2014 VOL. 8, NO. 4 • WINTER 2013 Robin Field on Objectivism Forand theProfit Performing Arts The Objective Standard VOL. 12, NO. 1 • SPRING 2017 “Ayn Rand Said” Libertarianism It is Is Not an Argument VOL. 11, NO. 2 • SUMMER 2016 vs. THE OBJECTIVE STANDARD Time: The Objective Standard Radical Capitalism America CONSERVATIVES’FAULT at Her The Iranian & Saudi Regimes Best Plus: Is SPRING 2017 ∙ VOL. 12, NO. 1 NO. 12, VOL. ∙ 2017 SPRING (p.19) SUMMER 2011 ∙ VOL. 6, NO. 2 NO. 6, ∙ VOL. SUMMER 2011 MUST GO WINTER 2013–2014 ∙ VOL. 8, NO. 4 Plus: Ex-CIA Spy Reza Kahlili on Iran’s Evil Regime (p.24)Hamiltonian Ribbon, Orange Crate, and Votive Holder, 14” x 18” Historian John D. Lewis on U.S. Foreign Policy (p.38) LINDA MANN Still Lifes in Oil SUMMER 2016 ∙ VOL. 11, NO. 2 lindamann.com ∙ 425.644.9952 WWW.CAPITALISTPIG.COM POB 1658 Chicago, IL 60658 An actively managed hedge fund.
    [Show full text]
  • Ayn Rand and Youth During the 1960S
    UC Berkeley The Charles H. Percy Undergraduate Grant for Public Affairs Research Papers Title Radicals for Capitalism: Ayn Rand and Youth during the 1960s Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4tb298wq Author Tran, Andrina Publication Date 2011-05-31 Undergraduate eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California ““RRAADDIICCAALLSS FFOORR CCAAPPIITTAALLIISSMM”” Ayn Rand and Youth During the 1960s ANDRINA TRAN DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY There is a fundamental conviction which some people never acquire, some hold only in their youth, and a few hold to the end of their days – the conviction that ideas matter. In one’s youth that conviction is experienced as a self-evident absolute, and one is unable fully to believe that there are people who do not share it. That ideas matter means that knowledge matters, that truth matters, that one’s mind matters. And the radiance of that certainty, in the process of growing up, is the best aspect of youth. –Ayn Rand CONTENTS Acknowledgements 2 INTRODUCTION 2 I THE QUIETEST REVOLUTION IN HISTORY 11 II MARKETING OBJECTIVISM 24 III THE THRILL OF TREASON 32 IV LIFE, LIBERTY, PROPERTY: Persuasion and the Draft 38 V LIBERTARIANS RISING 46 EPILOGUE: MEMORY & HISTORY 52 Bibliography 55 Appendix 61 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Even a paper pertaining to egoism could not have come into existence without the generous support of so many others. I would like to thank the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, the Center for the Study of Representation at the Institute of Governmental Studies, and the Center for the Comparative Study of Right-Wing Movements for funding the various stages of my research.
    [Show full text]
  • “The Experience of Flying”: the Rand Dogma and Its Literary Vehicle Camille Bond Submitted in the Partial Fulfillment Of
    “The Experience of Flying”: The Rand Dogma and its Literary Vehicle Camille Bond Submitted in the Partial Fulfillment of the Prerequisite for Honors in English April 2017 © 2017 Camille Bond The greatest victory is that which requires no battle. Sun Tzu, The Art of War ​ CONTENTS INTRODUCTION: 2 WHY STUDY RAND? CHAPTER ONE: 8 ON THE FOUNTAINHEAD AND CHARACTER ​ ​ CHAPTER TWO: 39 ON ATLAS SHRUGGED AND PLOT ​ ​ CONCLUSION 70 WORKS CITED 71 Bond 1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To Bill Cain: Thank you for taking this project under your wing! I could not have asked for a more helpful advisor on what has turned out to be one of the most satisfying journeys of my life. To James Noggle and Jimmy Wallenstein: Thank you for your keen suggestions and advice, which brought new contexts and a clearer direction to this project. To Adam Weiner: Thank you for your assistance, and for the inspiration that How Bad Writing ​ Destroyed the World provided. ​ And to my family: Thank you for your support and encouragement, and for making this project possible. Bond 2 INTRODUCTION: WHY STUDY RAND? Very understandably, I have been asked the question “Why would you study Ayn Rand?” dozens of times since I undertook this project over the summer of 2016. In a decidedly liberal community, Rand’s name alone invokes hostility and disgust; even my past self would have been puzzled to learn that she would go on to spend a year of her life engaging academically with Rand’s work. Many of Rand’s ideas are morally repulsive; it can be physically difficult to read her fiction.
    [Show full text]
  • 200306 IMPACT02.Qxd
    Volume 9, Number 6, June 2003 Local Activism: Introducing Ayn Rand’s In the Media: Dr. Brook on PBS In May 2002 Dr. Yaron Brook was a panelist on Books Into Texas Schools The McCuistion Program; the topic was “The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Solutions for Peace.” That program re-aired last month, at various The Houston Objectivism Society (HOS), an At one school she suggested that her times, on PBS and cable channels throughout independent community group that promotes the department obtain copies of Anthem and Ayn the country. study of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, has long Rand’s play Night of January 16th. As a result, supported ARI’s projects. For several years a fellow teacher is using them in class, “because . and on Fox News Channel HOS has amplified the effect of our high school she saw them on the shelves, and she remem- On April 27 Dr. Brook was interviewed on the essay contest on Anthem and The Fountainhead bered me telling her how much my students Fox News Channel show At Large With by sponsoring prizes for contest winners in the enjoyed the books,” said Ms. Wich. Geraldo. He discussed the dangers of an Houston area. Since 1995 the members of HOS Iranian-backed attempt to install an Islamic have given more than $18,000 in scholarship Books Quickly Win Fans Among Students theocracy in post-war Iraq. money to local winners. The overwhelming response to Though the efforts of HOS Anthem and The Fountainhead, . and on C-SPAN have helped to encourage teachers she continued, “was extremely In April Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • The American Philosophical Association EASTERN DIVISION ONE HUNDRED TENTH ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM
    The American Philosophical Association EASTERN DIVISION ONE HUNDRED TENTH ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM BALTIMORE MARRIOTT WATERFRONT BALTIMORE, MARYLAND DECEMBER 27 – 30, 2013 Important Notices for Meeting Attendees SESSION LOCATIONS Please note: the locations of all individual sessions will be included in the paper program that you will receive when you pick up your registration materials at the meeting. To save on printing costs, the program will be available only online prior to the meeting; with the exception of plenary sessions, the online version does not include session locations. In addition, locations for sessions on the first evening (December 27) will be posted in the registration area. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REGISTRATION Please note: it costs $40 less to register in advance than to register at the meeting. The advance registration rates are the same as last year, but the additional cost of registering at the meeting has increased. Online advance registration at www.apaonline.org is available until December 26. 1 Friday Evening, December 27: 6:30–9:30 p.m. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING 1:00–6:00 p.m. REGISTRATION 3:00–10:00 p.m., registration desk (third floor) PLACEMENT INFORMATION Interviewers and candidates: 3:00–10:00 p.m., Dover A and B (third floor) Interview tables: Harborside Ballroom, Salons A, B, and C (fourth floor) FRIDAY EVENING, 6:30–9:30 P.M. MAIN PROGRAM SESSIONS I-A. Symposium: Ancient and Medieval Philosophy of Language THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED. I-B. Symposium: German Idealism: Recent Revivals and Contemporary Relevance Chair: Jamie Lindsay (City University of New York–Graduate Center) Speakers: Robert Brandom (University of Pittsburgh) Axel Honneth (Columbia University) Commentator: Sally Sedgwick (University of Illinois–Chicago) I-C.
    [Show full text]
  • Is Life the Ultimate Value? a Reassessment of Ayn Rand's Ethics
    Reason Papers Vol. 34, no. 2 Is Life the Ultimate Value? A Reassessment of Ayn Rand’s Ethics Ole Martin Moen University of Oslo 1. Introduction: The Problem of Ultimate Value We all value things. For example, we value friendships, prosperity, and knowledge. These seem to be good things and things worthy of pursuit. They seem better and more worthy of pursuit, at least, than do their opposites: enmity, poverty, and ignorance. A notable fact about the things we consider valuable is that most of them appear to be valuable not merely as things worth having for their own sake, but as things worth having for the sake of something else. Consider prosperity: Though we genuinely value prosperity—we want it, we think it is good, and we act to gain and keep it—we value it not merely so as to be prosperous, but so as to achieve something further, such as steady access to food, drink, and clothes. Were it not for the food, drink, and clothes—and the other things that prosperity brings about, such as transportation, medicine, and homes—a great deal, if not all, of the value of prosperity would be lost. Food, drink, and clothes, moreover, do not seem to be ends in themselves either. Though they are ends of prosperity, they are also—from another perspective—means to avoid hunger, thirst, and cold. Furthermore, avoiding hunger, thirst, and cold seems to be a means to yet another end: remaining in good health. Where does the chain of values end? It seems that the chain of values must end somewhere, for though some values can be values by virtue of being means to or constituent parts of further values, not all values can be values of this kind.
    [Show full text]
  • Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Ed
    ATLAS SHRUGGED (CENTENNIAL ED. PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Rand Ayn | 1192 pages | 01 May 2005 | Penguin Putnam Inc | 9780525948926 | English | New York, United States Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Ed. PDF Book They are all available in Signet editions, as is the magnificent statement of her artistic credo, The Romantic Manifesto. Richard McLaughlin, reviewing the novel for The American Mercury , described it as a "long overdue" polemic against the welfare state with an "exciting, suspenseful plot", although unnecessarily long. At the climax of the novel, the untalented but successful architect Peter Keating, a college friend of his, pleads with Roark for help in designing a prestigious project that Roark himself wanted but was too unpopular to win. These are two entirely different conceptions, with entirely— immensely and diametrically opposed —different consequences. Anthem In a world that places the good of society above all else, why is a man with a revolutionary invention that would benefit everyone forced to run for his life? What were your first impressions of her? The major novels of Ayn Rand contain superlative values that are unique in our age. Customers who bought this item also bought. On her way to Daniels, Dagny meets a hobo with a story that reveals the secret of the motor: it was invented and abandoned by an engineer named John Galt, who is the inspiration for the common saying. Written in , Anthem was first published in England; it was refused publication in America until , for reasons the reader can discover by reading it for himself. Retrieved September 21, Retrieved February 9, What happens to the world when the Prime Movers go on strike.
    [Show full text]
  • ARI Co-Hosts Third Conference for BB&T Professors
    Volume 14, Number 6, June 2008 A Message from ARI Co-Hosts Third Conference for John P. McCaskey BB&T Professors professor who wants to include Atlas AShrugged in his classes faces many chal- lenging questions, from “How do I teach the novel?” to “How do I get students to read such John P. McCaskey, PhD, is a long book in the first place?” For participants the founder and chairman in the BB&T Charitable Foundation-sponsored of the board of the Anthem programs for the study of capitalism, those Foundation for Objectivist questions—and many others—are addressed at Scholarship, as well as an the annual conference for BB&T professors co- Dr. John McCaskey ARI board member. The hosted by ARI and the Clemson Institute for the Left to right: Drs. Onkar Ghate, Tara Smith, Yaron Brook, Anthem Foundation is a Study of Capitalism in Clemson, South Carolina. C. Bradley Thompson 501(c)(3) organization, separate from ARI, that This year marked the third such confer- provides funding to colleges and universities for ence, which drew thirty-one attendees, including Yaron Brook lectured on Ayn Rand’s unique teaching, writing or research on Objectivism. eleven first-time attendees. defense of capitalism. For returning attendees, “These conferences give us a chance to Brook and Ghate were joined by two econo- Dear Impact readers, meet and interact with the BB&T-funded pro- mists for a roundtable discussion of economics I am excited to tell you about big organizational, fessors,” said Debi Ghate, ARI’s vice president and morality. operational, and managerial changes we are of Academic programs.
    [Show full text]
  • Ayn Rand Through a Biblical Lens by David S
    CHECK YOUR PREMISES: AYN RAND THROUGH A BIBLICAL LENS BY DAVID S. KOTTER. Foreword by Art Lindsley, Ph.D. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand has been ranked as second only to the Bible as one of the most influential books in the lives of modern readers, and more than 30 million copies of her books have been sold. Nearly a million dollars in cash prizes have been awarded in essay contests encouraging high school and college students to read Rand’s novels, and increasingly universities are making her books required reading. Aside from Rand’s success, why would the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics (IFWE) show interest in reviewing the thoughts behind her works, given that she was a virulent atheist, despised Christianity along with the Bible, condemned any form of altruism, exalted selfishness, and used the dollar bill as her symbol? First, even if you have no intention of reading Rand – and her works are certainly not for everyone – it is at least worth knowing what she believed and how her beliefs compare and contrast with the Bible. Second, any work that appeals to so many people likely contains some truths worth investigating. For example, I have learned specific truths through reading atheist, New Age, and neo-pagan works, even though I reject their overarching worldview. We at IFWE believe in common grace, which means that every favor of whatever kind that this undeserving world enjoys originates from the hand of God. While it is true that unbelievers eventually twist truth, they nonetheless have some truth to twist. In other words, non-believers have both honey – created truth – and hemlock – truth twisted by the Fall.
    [Show full text]
  • Highlights of the Past Year
    aynrand.org/impact Volume 17, Number 12, December 2011 Highlights of the Past Year RI’s mission is to foster a growing awareness, paign this fall, we received more orders for free A understanding and acceptance of Ayn Rand’s books in the first month of this academic year revolutionary philosophy of Objectivism, in order than in the same period over the last few years. to create a culture whose guiding principles are As a result, ARI projects it will be out of reason, rational self-interest and laissez-faire books for distribution by the end of this month. If capitalism—a culture in which individuals are free you would like to contribute to the Free Books to to pursue their own happiness. All of ARI’s activi- Teachers program so more high school students ties are geared towards achieving this end. are exposed to Ayn Rand’s ideas in the class- OAC instructor Keith Lockitch (at right) discussing environmentalism with Our efforts are focused on impacting three main room, please visit aynrand.org/freebooks to learn this year’s interns areas in the culture, those targets that, if impacted more about the program and how you can make a internship program for college students new to effectively, will most directly and widely change difference. Rand’s ideas but who are planning to pursue intel- the culture as a whole. These areas of focus are the Another effort to educate young people about lectual careers at its offices in Irvine, California. education system, which includes students and aca- Ayn Rand’s ideas includes ARI’s annual essay This year’s class, our largest yet, consisted of nine- demics; public policy, which includes think tanks, contests, most of which are held exclusively for teen students eager to learn about Rand’s scholar- politicians and activists; and business, the field that high school and college students.
    [Show full text]