Volume 11, Number 3, March 2005 Overflow Crowd at Lecture—Larger Audience on TV n February 4 “The Virtue of Selfishness,” a free The broadcast of Mr. Schwartz’s lecture brought In the Media: Television Interviews Opublic lecture by Peter Schwartz, drew a standing- Ayn Rand’s ideas to the attention of many more room-only audience. Crowding into the hall, many of people across America. The C-SPAN network is and Centenary Coverage the 350 people who attended stood along the walls, available to more than 80 million households. The some sat on the floor and others overflowed into the backdrop of the stage from which Mr. Schwartz On January 22 Yaron Brook, executive director of corridor. The one-hour lecture, which was followed by delivered his lecture was a large banner advertising ARI, appeared on Channel’s DaySide with a question period that lasted another hour, was taped the Ayn Rand Institute and our Web site. Linda Vester, arguing that U.S. compassion in the by C-SPAN 2 and broadcast on February 12. The centenary weekend as a whole was well war was self-destructive. On February 1 he was a Subtitled “Why Achieving Your Happiness Is attended. All the lectures drew a sizeable audience, guest on CNBC’s Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo, Your Highest Moral Purpose,” the lecture was part of and both the celebratory dinner on February 5 and the discussing a lawsuit by disgruntled investors the weekend of events in Orange County, California, breakfast with Dr. Yaron Brook on February 6 were demanding compensation for their losses. On January celebrating Ayn Rand’s centenary. Some of the people sold out. 31 the host of The O’Reilly Factor, Bill O’Reilly, who attended the lecture had flown in for the weekend, referred on air to an ARI op-ed on the Iraqi elections. * * * but many others were members of the general public During the month of January our writers were interested to learn more about Ayn Rand’s ideas. For 51 Institute donors, the centenary experience was interviewed on the radio 14 times. enhanced by a luncheon and panel discussion held * * * exclusively for participants in the Atlantis Legacy, Left: Peter Schwartz ARI’s planned giving program. Experts answered On and around February 2—the 100th anniversary Below: overflow questions about Ayn Rand’s life and the Ayn Rand crowd at his talk “The of Ayn Rand’s birth—there were numerous newspa- Virtue of Selfishness: Archives, a special collection of the Institute (this per articles about Miss Rand. The newspapers that Why Achieving Your event will be repeated at the New York celebration— ran feature articles include , Los Happiness Is Your see related announcement). An audio recording of Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Highest Moral Purpose” the proceedings will be made available to all Atlantis Chronicle, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Philadel- Legacy donors. For more information phia Inquirer and Orange County Register. The contact Kathy Cross at 310-876-1633 or latter also placed a sketch of Miss Rand at the top at [email protected]. of its front page, with the caption: “Commemorating * * * Ayn Rand. Idea’s Impact: The Philosophy of ‘Self.’” Most of the articles commented on—some attempted An online audio recording of Mr. to explain—Ayn Rand’s influence on the culture. Schwartz’s lecture was offered free of The tone of the articles ranged from the relatively charge to registered users of our Web site friendly to the sarcastic; unfortunately, inaccurate (www.aynrand.org) during the month of statements of Miss Rand’s views were common in February. During March we plan to offer the pieces. “Despite the poor quality of some of the an online audio recording of Dr. John articles,” said Dr. Yaron Brook, “we are pleased to Ridpath’s recent lecture “George Wash- see that Ayn Rand’s centenary received lots of media ington: Integrity and the Founding of attention. This coverage can help direct people to America.” Becoming a registered user of Ayn Rand’s works—from which a reader can draw our site is free. his own independent conclusions.”

News and Announcements in Brief essentials of Objectivism and in the nature of objective thought question-and-answer period with a panel of experts on Ayn Rand’s New Book on Ayn Rand This month Durban House Publishing and communication. For information about the OAC, and to apply, life and the Ayn Rand Archives (a special collection of the Institute). is set to release The Passion of Ayn Rand’s Critics: The Case please visit our Web site: www.aynrand.org/academic. Open exclusively and at no cost to Atlantis Legacy donors, the event will feature Dr. Michael Berliner (editor of Letters of Ayn Against the Brandens, by James S. Valliant (hardcover; 433 Internships at ARI The Institute is currently offering paid internship Rand), Jeff Britting (author of the illustrated biography Ayn Rand) pages). This book lays to rest myths about Ayn Rand’s life and positions for college students who are interested in academic and Dr. Shoshana Milgram (a literary scholar working on an in- character that have been propagated by her detractors. It includes careers. The deadline to apply is April 18, 2005. For further depth biography of Miss Rand). As with previous Atlantis Legacy extensive, previously unpublished excerpts from Ayn Rand’s information, please visit our Web site: www.aynrand.org/internships. personal journal. To preorder the book, call 1-800-729-6149 or events, no recordings of the question period will be offered for sale. Centenary Events in New York ARI will host a series of talks visit www.aynrandbookstore.com. Invitations to the event were mailed to all Atlantis Legacy on April 23 and 24 in to mark the centenary of Ayn donors early this year. If you have arranged a bequest or other Congratulations Impact is delighted to report that Dr. Tara Smith Rand’s birth. Among the guests scheduled to speak are Dr. Harry planned gift to ARI and did not receive an invitation, please contact was recently promoted to the rank of full professor of philosophy Binswanger, Dr. Michael Berliner, Dr. Yaron Brook, Dr. Shoshana Gift & Estate Planning Manager Kathy Cross at 310-876-1633 or at at the University of Texas at Austin and that Dr. Robert Mayhew Milgram and Jeff Britting, archivist at the Ayn Rand Archives. At the [email protected]. was also promoted to full professor of philosophy at Seton Hall reception and celebration dinner Mary Ann Sures will describe Ayn University. Dr. Smith is the author of Viable Values and is currently Rand’s enjoyment of New York City and answer questions about ARI Lecture Series 2005 On March 23 Dr. John Lewis will writing a book about Ayn Rand’s ethics of egoism. Dr. Mayhew is her. We invite you to join us. For more information, and to register, present “The Failure of the Homeland Defense: The Lessons the author of, most recently, Ayn Rand and “Song of Russia,” an please visit our Web site: www.objectivistconferences.com or call from History.” On May 24 Dr. Gary Hull will present “Antitrust Is excerpt from which we reprinted last month. 1-800-365-6552, ext. 239. Immoral.” Both of these events are free to the public and will take At Objectivist Summer Conference 2005 in San Diego (July (The February 2004 issue of Impact stated that ARI might place at the Hyatt Hotel in Irvine, California. Doors open 6:30 p.m.; 2–14), Dr. Smith will present a general lecture, “How ‘Activist’ hold a centenary celebration in St. Petersburg, the city of Ayn lecture begins 7:30 p.m. and is followed by a question period. For Should Judges Be? Objectivity in Judicial Decisions”; Dr. Mayhew Rand’s birth. Plans for such an event were canceled due to the more information and lecture descriptions, please visit our Web will present “The Rise and Fall of Ancient Greek Justice: Homer to erratic political situation in Russia.) site: www.aynrand.org. the Sermon on the Mount.” Atlantis Legacy Luncheon and Panel On April 23, in parallel Job Opportunities ARI is currently recruiting a Campus Club Applications to the OAC The deadline for applying to the with the Ayn Rand Centenary events in New York, ARI will Coordinator and a Mailroom Assistant. For full details, including Objectivist Academic Center for the 2005–06 academic year is host a special luncheon for participants in the Atlantis Legacy, information on how to apply, please visit: April 18. The OAC offers a systematic program of instruction in the the Institute’s planned giving program. The event will include a www.aynrand.org/employment. From the Ayn Rand Archives: Ayn Rand in California and New York

Throughout 2005 Impact will showcase archival photographs, documents and other items that illuminate Ayn Rand’s life and achievements. The Ayn Rand Archives is a special collection of the Institute.

sacrifice, either of oneself to others or of others to Selfishness Vs. oneself. Each man, according to Objectivism, is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. And Sacrifice for Ayn Rand, “Rationality is man’s basic virtue, the source of all his other virtues”: if he is to live as a man, Each month Impact suggests readings and other he must think and plan and act long-range. resources for fans of Ayn Rand’s fiction who wish In her introduction to The Virtue of Selfishness, to learn more about her philosophy, Objectivism. Ayn Rand discusses the distortion of the concept of selfishness, and in her essay “The Objectivist Ethics,” elfishness” in today’s culture is wrongly she sets out the foundations of her view of rational “Sequated with “evil.” As Ayn Rand observed: egoism. See also: “Galt’s Speech” in Atlas Shrugged “the image it conjures is of a murderous brute who and Roark’s courtroom speech in The Fountainhead tramples over piles of corpses to achieve his own ends, (both reprinted in For the New Intellectual). A step- who cares for no living being and pursues nothing by-step presentation of the Objectivist ethics can be but the gratification of the mindless whims of any found in Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, by immediate moment.” But the murderous brute is not Dr. Leonard Peikoff. Other helpful materials include: the representative of selfishness. the recent talk by Peter Schwartz, “The Virtue of This distorted view of selfishness implies that Selfishness”; “Reason and Selfishness,” by Dr. Darryl ethics entails the sacrifice of some men to others. Wright; and “The Pseudo-Egoism of Thomas Hobbes,” But the Objectivist ethics of selfishness totally rejects by Dr. John Ridpath.

ARI Op-Ed: “The Appeal of Ayn Rand” Ayn Rand in California, c. 1947. She lived at the Hollywood Studio Club until her marriage to Frank As part of ARI’s efforts to draw public attention to the centenary of Ayn Rand’s birth in February, we issued press releases O’Connor in 1929, after which they lived in various and op-eds. One of those op-eds, written by Dr. Onkar Ghate, is reprinted below. It was released on January 28. apartments in or near Hollywood. She moved to New York City, living there for nine years, before return- ing to Hollywood in 1943 to write the screenplay for February 2 marks the The conviction that ideas matter represents The Fountainhead. While living in the von Sternberg hundredth anniversary of the a profound dedication to self. It requires that one House in the San Fernando Valley, she wrote screen- birth of one of America’s regard one’s own reasoning mind as competent to plays for Hal Wallis and began Atlas Shrugged. She most controversial and judge good and evil. And it requires that one pursue and her husband returned to Manhattan in 1951. inspiring writers, Ayn Rand. knowledge because one sees that correct ideas are She continues to be indispensable to achieving the irreplaceable value wildly popular among the of one’s own life and happiness. “To take ideas young: some 14,000 high seriously,” Rand states, “means that you intend to school students per year live by, to practice, any idea you accept as true,” Dr. Ghate is a senior fellow submit entries to essay that you recognize “that truth and knowledge are of at the Ayn Rand Institute and contests on her novels and, crucial, personal, selfish importance to you and to an instructor at the Objectiv- in the past two years alone, your own life.” ist Academic Center. high school teachers have Her approach here is the opposite of the view requested over 130,000 copies of Anthem and The that ideals transcend this world, one’s interests and Fountainhead to use in their classrooms. They know human comprehension—that idealism is, in the that students respond to her stories and heroes as to words of the religious exhortation to America’s few other books. youth in Bush’s inaugural address, “to serve in a It remains, however, all too common for a young cause larger than your wants, larger than yourself.” person to be told that his interest in Ayn Rand is a The advice Rand offers the young? Think, stage he will soon grow out of. “It’s fine to believe reason, logically consider matters of truth and in that now,” the refrain goes, “but wait until you’re morality. And then, because your own life and older. You’ll discover that life is not like that.” happiness depend on it, pursue unwaveringly the But when one actually considers the essence true and the good. On this approach, the moral and of what Rand teaches, the accusation that her the practical unite. On this approach, there exists philosophy is childish over-simplification stands as no temptation to think that life on earth requires Ayn Rand in her apartment in New York City, c. 1952. condemnation not of her ideas but of the adult world compromise, the halfway, the middle of the road. In a 1943 letter from Hollywood, she wrote: “I miss from which the accusation stems. “In any compromise between food and poison,” New York in a strange way, with a homesickness I’ve The key to Rand’s popularity is that she appeals she writes, “it is only death that can win. In any never felt before for any place on earth. I’m in love to the idealism of youth. She wrote in 1969: “There compromise between good and evil, it is only evil with New York, and I don’t mean I love it, but I mean is a fundamental conviction which some people that can profit.” I’m in love with it. Frank says that what I love is not never acquire, some hold only in their youth, and a In a world where our President (as well as the real city, but the New York I built myself. That’s few hold to the end of their days—the conviction the religious warriors we’re battling against in the true. Anyway, I feel the most unbearable, wistful, that ideas matter.” The nature of this conviction? ) equates idealism with otherworldli- romantic tenderness for it—and for everybody in it.” “That ideas matter means that knowledge matters, ness, faith, and sacrifice of self, and where com- that truth matters, that one’s mind matters. And the mentators otherwise sympathetic to his message [Photos courtesy of the Ayn Rand Archives] radiance of that certainty, in the process of growing lament that it leaves no room for worldly compro- up, is the best aspect of youth.” mises, since, as Peggy Noonan puts it, “perfection To sustain this youthful conviction throughout in the life of man on earth” is impossible—Ayn life, Rand argues, one must achieve a radical Rand stands alone. She argues that perfection is independence of mind. Independence does not possible to man the rational animal. Hold your own mean doing whatever one feels like doing but life as your highest value, follow reason, submit rather forging one’s convictions and choosing to no authority, create a life of productive achieve- one’s actions rationally, logically, scientifically. ment and joy—enact these demanding values and It is refusal to surrender one’s ideas or values to virtues, Rand teaches, and an ideal world, here on the “public interest,” as liberals demand, or to earth, is “real, it’s possible—it’s yours.” the “glory of God,” as conservatives demand. Does an adult world that dismisses this From the Ayn Rand Bookstore It is refusal to grant obedience to any authority, philosophy as “simplistic” not convict itself? human or divine. The independent mind rejects The centenary of Rand’s birth is an appropriate Special posters, T-shirts, coffee mugs and lapel pins faith, secular or supernatural, and embraces reason time to recognize the thinker who was courageous commemorating the Ayn Rand Centenary are now on as an absolute. “The noblest act you have ever enough to take on that world and challenge its sale from the Ayn Rand Bookstore. To order, please performed,” declares the hero of Rand’s last novel, rampant skepticism, eager cynicism, and unyielding visit our Web site (www.aynrandbookstore.com) or call Atlas Shrugged, “is the act of your mind in the demand for compromise, the thinker who portrayed 1-800-729-6149. process of grasping that two and two make four.” and explained—at the most fundamental level—the She meant it. heroic in man. 2 A Conversation With Dr. Harry Binswanger

Dr. Binswanger, a longtime conversations like this: one of my colleagues said to HB: Yes, but I think rationalism is, to some associate of Ayn Rand’s, is another, “Suzuki holds that reality can come into and degree, inescapable for beginning students of a member of ARI’s Board of go out of existence 60 times within the time in which a Objectivism. Rationalism is the misunderstanding or Directors. He is the author man of vigorous health can snap his fingers. Isn’t that misapplication of concepts or ideas due to the fact that of The Biological Basis of marvelous!” At one point, this same professor turned to they are not fully and clearly tied to reality in one’s Teleological Concepts, the editor me and said out of the blue, “I know what your basic mind. When a person begins trying to understand a of The Ayn Rand Lexicon, principle is: ‘Existence exists’—that’s nonsense!” He very abstract idea, he’s very likely going to have a co-editor of the second edition was, by the way, the most distinguished professor in rationalistic grasp of it at the beginning. Insofar as of Ayn Rand’s Introduction to the department. Another colleague wrote an article on one is not fluent in the use of certain abstractions Objectivist Epistemology and, the philosophy of religion that maintained that there which, presumably, students aren’t—that’s why they’re until its closing in 1987, the editor and publisher is not enough evidence for the existence of God to students rather than professors—his grasp of those of The Objectivist Forum. Dr. Binswanger taught say that it’s possible that He exists, but there’s a new abstractions will be rationalistic. Ayn Rand never philosophy for many years at Hunter College epistemological category applicable here which people thought or acted rationalistically, but she didn’t have and at the New School for Social Research. He is have overlooked: hope. What can one say to something a super-Ayn Rand behind her giving her advanced currently teaching a yearlong course on ethics in like that? answers: she had to derive it all herself, first-hand, the graduate program of the Objectivist Academic Not all these people were nasty as individuals. from observation and induction. But students often, Center. Dr. Binswanger is writing a book on the nature A few were, and they could be trouble, but some of in effect, get ahead of their actual knowledge. As of consciousness. He is scheduled to speak at the them, like the professor who defended hope, were someone once said, Objectivists are given answers to centenary celebrations in New York in April and at the quite mild and pleasant. Nevertheless, I regarded them things they don’t even yet have the questions for. Objectivist summer conference in July. as completely alien. They weren’t anywhere near So unless the rationalism is there with a In the first part of this interview, published last Objectivism; most were Kantian, holding that the mind vengeance, unless it’s motivated and all-consuming, month, Dr. Binswanger discussed some of Ayn Rand’s is necessarily cut off from reality. I view it as a problem of default. The only way to contributions to the field of epistemology; in this Impact: Have professors’ attitudes towards avoid rationalism completely is to emulate Ayn Rand: second and final part he tells Impact about his career Ayn Rand changed across the decades since you’ve take the inductive approach and reduce everything to as a teacher and his interest in philosophy. been teaching? concrete, perceptual reality. HB: Very noticeably. In the sixties there was a Impact: Let’s turn from your teaching career to * * * large contingent of philosophers who would practically your interest in philosophy. How and when did you foam at the mouth at the mention of Ayn Rand’s name. originally become interested in the subject? Impact: You taught in academia for 12 years There were stories about professors who would go into HB: I was always interested in big, fundamental beginning in 1966. Did you have an opportunity to an introductory philosophy class and announce that any ideas. Until late in high school I associated those teach Ayn Rand’s ideas in your classes? student who wrote on Ayn Rand would automatically ideas with science, and I was interested in becoming Harry Binswanger: If I hadn’t had such an fail the course. But by the middle seventies, I began a physicist. In my senior year of high school I had a opportunity I never would have stepped into the to hear, “Well, you have this interest in Ayn Rand; it’s good, old-fashioned English teacher who helped me to classroom. I incorporated her ideas into my teaching in not my cup of tea, but different people have different see that there were deep, grand-scale ideas in literature, two senses. First, I always taught using the Objectivist interests.” Today she is still cold-shouldered by the ideas pertaining to more humanistic, value-laden, methodology and frame of reference. Whether I was average philosopher, but they are increasingly willing psychological issues. But I still hadn’t connected my teaching Kant or Marxism or the question of God, I to grant her ideas polite attention, if pressed. She’s no interest in literary themes with philosophy explicitly. would always ask: What does this idea mean? What longer anathema. The explicit interest in philosophy came only wider categories does this position fall under? For Impact: Since 1987 you’ve taught graduate-level from hearing Ayn Rand speak at MIT, when I was example, does it represent the primacy of existence or classes for the Ayn Rand Institute. How does teaching a freshman, followed immediately by my reading the primacy of consciousness? What are the arguments Objectivists differ from your experience teaching Atlas Shrugged and the precious few other Objectivist offered for and against it? What are concrete examples non-Objectivists? writings that then existed (this was 1962). It was only of the idea? How does this idea integrate with the HB: With Objectivists you have a value given then that I understood what the subject of philosophy deeper issues we’ve studied? I would focus the to you. They already love Objectivist ideas, so was, that Objectivism was one particular philosophy, discussion on essentials rather than going into nit- you don’t have to sell them on the importance of and that philosophic ideas ruled the world. Before picking details. philosophy or on the fact that there is a new and true Ayn Rand, it never occurred to me that philosophy Second, I brought in the content of Ayn Rand’s and exciting system of philosophy discovered by was a science, and that one could make a career in it. ideas explicitly. For instance, the very first course Ayn Rand. You don’t have to explain to them what Impact: Was there a particular aspect of I taught was on esthetics, and I included in the the tenets of Objectivism are. What I conceive my Ayn Rand’s philosophy that intrigued you? course reading material (alongside four or five job to be when I teach Objectivists is to take their HB: Other than that it was true and right? That essays by non-Objectivists on the philosophy of art) existing understanding of Objectivism and make it it was absolute, black-and-white, certain. When I first Ayn Rand’s “Psycho-epistemology of Art.” And I more solid, concretized, integrated and under their heard Ayn Rand speak, we were just coming out of organized the class around four questions: What control. And, in the process, to stimulate their own the Eisenhower years and going into the Kennedy- is art? Why does man need it? How is art created? independent thinking about questions they haven’t pragmatist years; all the intellectuals of the time What are the standards for judging art? So even if I previously considered. were very mealy-mouthed. Those were the days of hadn’t assigned any Ayn Rand, we would have been Impact: Have you noticed any particular conformity, anti-ideology, non-ideology, blandness. applying Ayn Rand’s ideas because of the way the challenges or difficulties the students face in improving I was always contemptuous of the wishy-washy, subject matter was presented. But I also covered their understanding of Objectivism? equivocal answers that I would hear from everyone Ayn Rand’s theories in great detail. HB: Concretization seems the hardest for them. around me. No one else would take a stand on Impact: What was your students’ reaction to the The students are generally good and the ideas of anything or say anything flat out, but Ayn Rand sure Objectivist ideas you taught? Objectivism are not completely floating for them, but did, and that was enormously attractive to me. HB: Generally there was in-class agreement with it seems that most lack a wealth of good examples that Impact: What area of philosophy interests you the Objectivist position. On the final exam I would they can call to mind easily. the most now and what projects are you currently give them questions like: Of the three political systems Impact: Is this a sign of “rationalism”? working on? we discussed—socialism, capitalism and the mixed HB: Within the understanding that philosophy economy—choose one and defend it. And three- is an integrated whole, the part of philosophy that quarters or more of them would take the Objectivist has always interested me most is epistemology. My view—and this was true whether I had said I agreed interest shifts to different issues in epistemology as with that position or not. I had students in 1966 writing my understanding progresses. As I understand one “Laissez-faire capitalism is the ideal social system for area, my interest goes to the next, un-understood the following reasons . . . ” and stating the reasons I’d area. The un-understood area for me right now is given in class. They could have picked socialism or the figuring out how to integrate all the separate points mixed economy but the majority of them didn’t. I’ve learned over the years into one overview. I have a However, I suspect that after the class was sense that I have a somewhat different perspective on over, many of them lapsed back into non-Objectivist consciousness as such than I used to. I’m trying to pin viewpoints, if they even were sincere in what they down exactly what that new perspective is. chose to defend on the tests. Teaching was wonderful As for my current projects, I’m writing a for me for the purpose of improving my own book on consciousness, but I haven’t made much understanding of ideas, but I don’t think it was very progress in the writing because I haven’t reached effective if the standard of “effective” is changing the overview yet, although I think I’m getting close the students’ philosophy. I don’t think any one course now. I’m also working continuously on my email can do that. For that to occur a student must have list, the Harry Binswanger List [an email list for more exposure to the right ideas and from an earlier Objectivists, moderated by Dr. Binswanger, for age. Or see the whole system concretized, as in Atlas discussing philosophic and cultural issues]. HBL is Shrugged. After a few years teaching, I started handing complementary to my work in epistemology because out free copies of Atlas to all my students at the end RegisterRegister forfor ObjectivistObjectivist SummerSummer ConferenceConference 20052005 many of the discussions are directly on subjects in of the semester, and I’m sure that did a lot more good, by March 31 to take advantage of discount pric- epistemology. And even the ones that aren’t directly on propagandistically, than anything I said in class. ing. The conference brochure has been mailed to all epistemology really are underneath. All the topics we Impact: What was your experience like with your ARI donors. If you have not already received yours, discuss help enlarge and concretize my understanding professor-colleagues? please let us know (www.objectivistconferences.com; of philosophy in general, and the integrated whole is HB: I thought they were a different species. For 1-800-365-6552, ext. 239). what I’m looking for. instance, when I taught at Hunter College, I overheard 3 Conference Preview: “Ayn Rand and the History of Ethics” A special focus of this year’s Objectivist summer In part, Hume derived his ethical views from his imperatives.” Although she regards life as the proper conference in San Diego (July 2–14) will be Ayn account of the nature of reason, which has also been ultimate value, there is no moral commandment Rand’s life and work. Several of the general lectures very influential. He argued that reason can discern the telling us, “Thou shalt live,” on her view. And yet will touch on this theme. Among those lectures is “Ayn means to our ends but can’t tell us anything about what she doesn’t think that we embrace this ultimate value Rand and the History of Ethics,” by Dr. Darryl Wright. ends to pursue—this has to be settled by reference to automatically, either—we have to choose to embrace Impact spoke with Dr. Wright about his upcoming talk; our feelings. I’ll be spending a lot of time on this aspect it. That raises the following question: If there’s nothing following is a brief preview. of Hume’s thought in my lecture. telling us that we should live, and yet we don’t value * * * Moving on to Kant, we can see his influence in our lives automatically, what is the status of the choice At this summer’s conference you the idea that to be ethical is to be selfless. Kant didn’t to live? Is it “arbitrary”? Is it “no better than” the will be speaking on Ayn Rand’s originate this idea, but he gave it new impetus at a time choice not to live? place in the history of ethics, and when there had been growing acceptance of the view Now, Ayn Rand’s answer is “no” to both questions. comparing her views to that of that the pursuit of enlightened self-interest could be But it can be difficult to see how there can be a third other influential ethicists, such as ethical. Kant also gave the most thoroughgoing defense alternative here—an alternative both to the subjectivist Hume and Kant. What are some there has been of the idea that moral requirements are view that the choice is arbitrary and to the intrinsicist concrete manifestations of the duties or what he called “categorical imperatives.” That view that living is our duty. Ayn Rand’s delineation of influence of these other ethicists is, they are requirements that must be fulfilled for their that alternative is part of what makes her ethical theory Dr. Darryl Wright in today’s culture? own sake, not as a means to any further end, such as so important historically. Let’s start with Hume. happiness, life, or anything else. This corresponds to the * * * He’s famous for the view that moral standards are way in which people today typically view morality—as Dr. Wright is an associate professor of philosophy at based on emotion rather than reason. This view is a set of “musts” hanging in a vacuum. As Ayn Rand Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. He has all around us today, of course. Almost anyone who would say, “they got it from Kant.” written and lectured on topics in ethical theory, the his- doesn’t think morality has a religious basis thinks that tory of ethics and political philosophy and is a frequent it has some form of subjective, ultimately emotional I’ve heard it argued that if you choose to live, then speaker at Objectivist conferences. This year Dr. Wright basis. In academia this is the dominant view, since Ayn Rand’s ethics of rational self-interest, and all is a guest instructor at the Objectivist Academic Center. the religious influence is much less than it is in the the Objectivist values and virtues, follow, but that culture as a whole. But ethical subjectivism’s reach it’s an arbitrary choice whether or not one chooses extends well beyond academia. Hume’s impact in this to live. Will you discuss this point in your talk?

connection has been tremendous. It’s not just that he Yes, I’m planning to. It’s a critically important ® Impact is published monthly by the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI) and is held a subjective view of ethics—he is one of the main issue, and I think I have a somewhat new angle on it, as complimentary to current donors who contribute $35 or more per year. sources for this view in the history of ethics, because of very recently. For information on how you can support ARI and to learn about our ® he developed it as systematically and comprehensively The issue arises because Ayn Rand rejects the projects, please visit our Web site: www.aynrand.org. Atlantis Legacy , the Institute’s planned giving program, and related indicia are registered as anyone ever has. Kantian idea that ethics is made up of “categorical trademarks. The Ayn Rand Archives is a special collection of the Ayn Rand Institute. Objectivist Conferences (OCON) and the Ayn Rand Bookstore are owned by Second Renaissance, Inc., which is operated by the Ayn • “The History of England (part 1), 1066–1215,” by Andrew Lewis Rand Institute. Second Renaissance, Inc., and the Ayn Rand Institute do not necessarily endorse the content of the lectures and courses offered. Optional Courses • “Three Great Greek Historians,” by Dr. John Lewis All photos of Ayn Rand are used by permission of the Estate of Ayn Rand. (first week only) Purchases from the Ayn Rand Bookstore do not qualify as tax-deductible Impact is pleased to announce the roster of optional courses contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. that will be offered at Objectivist Summer Conference 2005. The • “Wal-Mart: The Story of the World’s Greatest Retailer,” by Dr. Edwin A. Locke Editor: Elan Journo Assistant Editor: Dan Norton courses listed are either four and a half, five or six hours long. Editorial Advisors: Dr. Yaron Brook, Mark Chapman, Anu Seppala With one exception, all courses and the workshop are available in • “The Philosophy and Influence of Sir Francis Bacon,” Designer: Simon Federman Printing: David Antonacci both Week 1 and Week 2 of the conference. by John P. McCaskey Copy Editor: Donna Montrezza * * * • “‘Check Your Premises’: A Practical Guide for the Active Mind,” Headquarters: 2121 Alton Parkway, Suite 250 Irvine, CA 92606-4926 Phone: 949-222-6550 Fax: 949-222-6558 • “The Impact of the Scottish Enlightenment on the Industrial by Dr. Lee Pierson Revolution,” by Dr. Andrew Bernstein • “The Sublime Art: An Introduction to the Elements of Poetry,” © The Ayn Rand Institute 2005. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced without permission. • “The Elements of Thinking in Principles,” by Craig Biddle by Jason Rheins • “Achilles, the Tortoise and the Objectivity of Mathematics,” • “The Hierarchy of Knowledge,” by Greg Salmieri by Dr. Pat Corvini • “Giuseppe Verdi: The Man and His Operas,” • “The History of America (part 4): The Industrial Republic, by Sandra Schwartz 1877–1920,” by Dr. Eric Daniels • “Money, Banking and the Business Cycle,” • “Postmodernism,” by Dr. Robert Garmong by Dr. Brian Simpson • “Ayn Rand: Breathing Reason and Passion Back Into • “Gems of Short Fiction,” by Lisa VanDamme Psychology,” by Dr. Ellen Kenner • Dance Workshop on Foxtrot, with Ted Gray and Marilyn George

Commentary: Preserving a Legacy

Each month Impact features a regular column by In my view each new book that draws on the Institute’s executive director, Dr. Yaron Brook, the Archives underscores afresh the value of this who looks at the wider context of ARI’s activities. special repository. Consider Ayn Rand Answers, which is due out later this year. It consists of n a corridor of our office in Irvine stands an edited transcripts of her responses to audience Iordinary-looking metal bookcase. On it are questions at lectures and other events. Implicitly reference copies of more than a dozen books by dispelling scores of myths and misconceptions various authors and editors, issued by different about what Ayn Rand espoused, and explicitly publishing houses and concerning an assortment conveying a wealth of incisive observations by of subjects. This collection of books, which grows Miss Rand—the book gives readers her views, in with each passing year, is remarkably valuable, her own words, on topics ranging from politics although none of the books is rare or out of print. to romantic relationships. The book is a trove of These books are some of the first fruits of provocative and original observations, and hints at the Ayn Rand Archives, a special collection of some of the dazzling materials of the Archives. the Institute. Their value lies in the fact that The Archives contains the physical record—in they provide accurate information on Miss Rand handwritten notes, in photographs, on audio and, in many cases, reproduce her own words. tapes—of Ayn Rand’s development and intellectual And these books in particular give readers and achievement. (For a flavor of what sort of researchers something like first-hand contact with things are in the Archives, leaf through the new her ideas. illustrated biography, Ayn Rand, by ARI archivist You are surely familiar with some of the Jeff Britting.) This physical record can endure books in the collection, for example (in no only if it is carefully housed and protected from special order), Journals of Ayn Rand, Letters of disintegration. It can be of value to researchers Ayn Rand, Essays on “We the Living,” Russian only if it is properly organized, catalogued and Writings on Hollywood, Ayn Rand and “Song of indexed. It can yield more books on Ayn Rand and Russia” and The Early Ayn Rand. Some books on Objectivism—books that are much needed— are on subjects only tangentially related to Ayn only if it is preserved. And we’re doing so. Rand and whose authors have contacted the This is another—and a vitally important— Archives for help with fact-checking or with way in which we work to advance the wider and sometimes substantive questions. (The staff of deeper understanding of Ayn Rand’s seminal the Archives has fielded umpteen queries from achievements. I look forward to the day when scholars and graduate students from around the we need not one but 10 bookcases to house new world seeking accurate documentary information books born of the Archives. on Miss Rand’s life and works.) —Yaron Brook

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