Best Aaron Rand Podcasts (2024)

In this special event celebrating Independence Day, Nikos Sotirakopoulos interviews Onkar Ghate about his 2007 talk “Atlas Shrugged: America’s Second Declaration of Independence.” The episode includes a full rebroadcast of the talk.Mentioned in the discussion is Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged (https://aynrand.org/novels/atlas-shrugged/).The podcas…

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AddSpace Ep. 124 | Flawless Like Her Ass Cheeks 1:25:52

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2M ago1:25:52

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Bacon, Justin, and Aaron talk the WNBA's history of Great White Hopes, Bacon's obsession with Coral Island, the NCAA's loss of relevance, and narrative intent vs. narrative execution. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @ljay90 Theme Song: @Willieev

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AddSpace Ep. 123 | They Are What They Say 1:24:48

2M ago1:24:48

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Bacon, Justin, and Aaron talk how much GamersTM can be soothed with ass cheeks, Drake and the difference between being beloved and being tolerated, and appreciate Helldivers a bit more before another attempt is made to ruin it. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @ljay90 Theme Song: @Willieev

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AddSpace Ep. 122 | Restorative Play 1:32:47

2M ago1:32:47

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Bacon and Aaron are joined by professional Dungeon Master, game designer, and writer Neosoulgod to discuss the nuances of creating inclusive experiences and the genuine healing that play can provide. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Guest: @neosoulgod Theme Song: @Willieev

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AddSpace Ep. 121 | Diversity From Unlikely Places 1:34:18

3M ago1:34:18

1:34:18

Bacon and Aaron are joined by writer Jeffrey Rousseau to discuss Helldivers and Dragon's Dogma 2, specifically DD character creator and how future games can step up. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Guest: @JRpotential Theme Song: @Willieev

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AddSpace Ep. 120 | Evergreen Review: Thirsty Suitors 52:20

4M ago52:20

52:20

Bacon and Jaila review the love letter to queer 2nd-generation immigrants that is the game Thirsty Suitors. ALSO a note from Bacon and Aaron about where the hell we've been! Host: @Baconzilla Host: @blasianbytch Theme Song: @Willieev

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Happiness Team Presentation by Tal Tsfany 1:25:28

4M ago1:25:28

1:25:28

Happiness Team is a life-changing workshop and accountability team, aimed to systematize the pursuit of happiness using Ayn Rand’s deep, life-serving discoveries. In this session, you’ll get started on the road to understanding who you are, what you want and how to get it. You’ll come away with a workbook of exercises and actionable practices for l…

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The Galileo Affair by Dan Schwartz 59:45

4M ago59:45

59:45

The Galileo Affair is widely viewed as the classic example of a scientific genius being persecuted by religious dogmatists. Yet, in recent decades, some philosophers and historians of science have put forward a new interpretation that defends the Church’s position philosophically and puts (at least some of) the blame for the conflict on Galileo. Is…

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Mickey Spillane’s Miami (and More) by Shosana Milgram 58:29

5M ago58:29

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Ayn Rand admired Mickey Spillane as a writer and a crusader: “a brilliant literary talent” and a “moral absolutist.” Several of his novels, including the two-book series about Morgan the Raider (a pirate with an enigmatic past and mysterious motivations) were set partially or completely in Miami. One character, amazed at his first glimpse of the ho…

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AddSpace Ep. 119 | Corporations Can't Be Homies 1:53:23

6M ago1:53:23

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Bacon, Aaron, and Jeffrey talk about the fresh year of layoffs in the gaming industry, which projects to exceed last year's layoff numbers and it is only February. We include a friendly reminder that corporations are never your friends and your employers will never be quite a loyal as we'd like. Host: @Baconzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @jrpotentia…

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AddSpace Ep. 118 | The Machine Learning Apocalypse 1:55:15

6M ago1:55:15

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Bacon, Justin, and Jaila team up for the first time ever to discuss the licensed music game e-jungle, the anger around Suicide Squad, Palworld's attempt to stir our collective brain juices, and how Machine Learning has taken the incorrect title of "AI" to new heights and depths. Host: @Baconzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @ljay90 Host: @blasianbytch …

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Aristotle’s Method of Scientific Investigation by Gregory Salmieri 1:30:11

6M ago1:30:11

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This lesson explains Aristotle’s method of scientific investigation, focusing on Aristotle’s logical works—especially the Posterior Analytics. Salmieri discusses Aristotle’s view of the kinds of questions we seek to answer when we investigate; for example, the nature of definitions and their relationship to scientific demonstrations, and the format…

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Aristotle’s Theory of Universals by Gregory Salmieri 1:31:14

6M ago1:31:14

1:31:14

In this lesson, Salmieri explains Aristotle’s theory of universals and how that theory makes possible scientific understanding (epistēmē) of this world based on sense-perception. The lesson explains that universal knowledge, for Aristotle, is a power to know particulars as falling under kinds. Salmieri concludes with a discussion of a famous chapte…

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AddSpace Ep. 117 | A Tale of Moisturized Faces and Tiny Pimps 1:13:12

6M ago1:13:12

1:13:12

Bacon, Aaron, and Justin discuss the slate of incoming updates for FF14, including a revamp of lighting for brown skin, the introduction of the furry muscle momma class, and when the terms "friend" and "hoe" become interchangeable. Host: @Baconzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @ljay90 Theme Song: @Willieev…

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Aristotle on the Different Types of Knowledge by Gregory Salmieri 1:29:40

7M ago1:29:40

1:29:40

In this lesson, Salmieri discusses Aristotle’s view of the types and degrees of knowledge. In particular, he explains what is distinctive about the type of knowledge that Aristotle calls epistēmē (scientific understanding) and relates it to Objectivism’s view of the importance of thinking in principle. He also introduces Aristotle’s concept of tech…

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AddSpace Ep. 116 | Birthday Vintage 1:59:01

7M ago1:59:01

1:59:01

Bacon, Aaron, and birthday person N'Jaila discuss pre-Katt Williams news including how unprepared we are for Unreal Engine 5, desires for the new year, and the need to upgrade one's equipment. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @blasianbytch Theme Song: @Willieev

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Stoicism and Objectivism on What (and How) to Value by Aaron Smith 1:01:28

7M ago1:01:28

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The ancient Stoics held that we suffer in life because we value the wrong things and/or have the wrong attitude toward our values. If we want to live the good life, they held, we need to radically change the way we value. Given the growing popularity of Stoicism in the culture today, it’s worth examining what this reorientation to values amounts to…

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Augustine’s War Against Earthly Pride by Ben Bayer 1:28:43

7M ago1:28:43

1:28:43

St. Augustine’s philosophy marked a decisive turning point in the history of the West, the first systematic repudiation of the ancient Greek philosophical outlook in favor of Christian religion. Augustine’s ethics was especially crucial. He fundamentally repudiated the content of pagan views of virtue even as he retained certain trappings of their …

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The Reading Wars Today by Sam Weaver 58:29

7M ago58:29

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After decades of debate, and despite the overwhelming strength of the evidence in favor of phonics, reading education is still a controversial topic in the United States. Many educators continue to resist phonics in favor of anti-conceptual methods that amount to not teaching reading at all. This talk will present the recent history and current sta…

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AddSpace Ep. 115 | A Word About Our Lord and Savior Lancer 1:49:01

8M ago1:49:01

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Bacon, Aaron, Justin, and BAP get together to discuss the Game Awards, Bacon explains the expansive lore of the tabletop RPG Lancer, while we all discuss how shockingly lucrative Grand Theft Online has been for a decade. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @ljay90 Host: @ashy3classy Theme Song: @Willieev…

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Saving Math from Plato by Harry Binswanger 1:31:27

8M ago1:31:27

1:31:27

Mathematics is the headquarters of Platonism—the reification of abstractions and the primacy of concepts over percepts. Even Euclid defined “line” as “breadthless length,” something not of this world, and the moderns define “one” in terms of nonbeing (the null set). In this lecture, drawing on a few incisive statements by Ayn Rand, Dr. Binswanger g…

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AddSpace InterviewSpace #1 | Jay-Ann Lopez 32:46

8M ago32:46

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Justin kicks off the first of a new ADDSpace interview series by sitting with the CEO of Black Girl Gamers Jay-Ann Lopez to discuss their career, motivation, and community management on a massive scale. Host: @ljay90 Guest: @jayannlopez_ Theme Song: @Willieev

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AddSpace Ep. 114 | A Great Year For Gaming? 1:40:24

8M ago1:40:24

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Bacon, Aaron, and writer, social commentator, thought leader, observer, activist, creator, game critic, author, and speaker Jeffrey Rousseau discuss the best year for gaming products happening in parallel with the worst year for gaming labor. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @jrpotential Theme Song: @Willieev…

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Why We Are Losing Our Freedom of Speech by Peter Schwartz 1:26:24

8M ago1:26:24

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Freedom of speech used to be an unquestioned value. Even as society endorsed the use of force in other realms, the individual’s right to express ideas freely was widely acknowledged. Today, that right is coming under increasing attack. Why? And what can we do to counter this ominous threat? Mr. Schwartz discusses the fundamental relation between fo…

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AddSpace Ep. 113 | Predator 8: Hunting for Love 2:09:50

8M ago2:09:50

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Bacon, Aaron, and N'Jaila Rhee talk the Five Nights at Freddie's Movie, the binds of film chronology, and how we intend to spice up future Predator movies. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @blasianbytch Theme Song: @Willieev

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Happiness II: Objective Confidence by Jean Moroney 59:03

9M ago59:03

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An important component of happiness is confidence in your future success. How is such confidence possible, especially with ambitious goals that involve significant risks? In this talk, Ms. Moroney will discuss how the Objectivist ethics and epistemology help you establish objective confidence that you will be successful. A companion to her previous…

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AddSpace Ep. 112 | The Sophisticated Adult Section 2:11:41

9M ago2:11:41

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Bacon, Aaron, and N'Jaila Rhee talk the Bootytalk Era in adult films, Alan Wake 2, growing up with your favorite band, the possible end of Destiny 2, and how much Konami hates making games for you. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @blasianbytch Theme Song: @Willieev

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How to Be an Earthly Idealist by Don Watkins 59:57

9M ago59:57

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Many are attracted to Objectivism for its idealism. But they often struggle to successfully use Objectivism as a guide for living on earth, and experience its ideals as a source of frustration, confusion, and guilt. In this talk, Don Watkins draws on his experience as Ayn Rand University’s Director of Coaching and Mentoring to discuss what gives ri…

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The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God by Robert Mayhew 59:45

9M ago59:45

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Anselm of Canterbury (11th century) was the first to present the ontological argument, purporting to demonstrate God’s existence through a mere analysis of the definition of God. Aquinas rejected the argument, but Descartes revived it. Kant was thought by many to deliver it a death blow, but it continues to be resuscitated. This lecture is an exerc…

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Moral Cognition: Telling Right from Wrong by Gregory Salmieri 1:29:40

9M ago1:29:40

1:29:40

What is the relationship between abstract moral principles (such as those that make up the Objectivist ethics) and the ability of people who do not (yet) grasp these principles to tell right from wrong? To what extent (and in what ways) can someone who doesn’t understand why something is good (or bad) know that it is good (or bad)? In this talk, Dr…

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Justice, Moral Judgment, and the Danger of Psychologizing by Onkar Ghate 1:29:30

9M ago1:29:30

1:29:30

Ayn Rand’s novels and nonfiction essays contain a wealth of material on the psychological dimensions of philosophical ideas and principles. But in one of those essays she also cautions about the danger of “psychologizing.” We’ll explore aspects of how to extract the action-guiding value of the psychological dimensions of philosophical ideas that sh…

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The Left’s Long War on Israel by Nikos Sotirakopoulos 53:18

9M ago53:18

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When it comes to Israel’s mortal enemies, the usual suspects are Arab authoritarian regimes, Iran, and the antisemitic far right. And yet, some of the most dangerous wannabe-destroyers of Israel have come from the left. Whether it has been communist states, or terrorist groups, or “peaceful” organizations, the left’s war on Israel has been long and…

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AddSpace Ep. 111 | Private Affairs 2:01:47

10M ago2:01:47

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Bacon, Aaron, and a returning N'Jaila Rhee talk the Sims in 2023, and our private lore affairs including aging rock band drama and N'Jaila's encyclopedic knowledge of Mortal Kombat lore, and the potential return of net neutrality. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @blasianbytch Theme Song: @Willieev…

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Living Objectively – Integrating Objectivity Into Your Every Day by Tara Smith 1:22:06

10M ago1:22:06

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Objectivity isn’t simply a tool for concept-formation or analyzing arguments. Objectivity affects how you treat your friends, how you do your work, how you set your goals. This lecture probes objectivity’s role in everyday living. It considers ways that objectivity (or its lack) manifests itself in a range of domains and ways in which well-intended…

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AddSpace Ep. 110 | The Abundance Conundrum 1:44:09

10M ago1:44:09

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Bacon, Aaron, and writer Jeffrey Rousseau discuss the problem of abundance, too many games, too little time, and an advertising machine that heavily relies on making consumers feel badly about both. We also have a sneak peek in an ADDSpace group play of the procedural storytelling RPG Wildermyth. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Host: @jrpotenti…

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AddSpace Ep. 109 | The Problematic Dungeon Master 2:08:59

11M ago2:08:59

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Bacon, and Aaron talk about treading water during the coming flood of games, review Baldur's Gate, and remind aspiring writers about the difficulty of forging a slave narrative. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ansfreeman Theme Song: @Willieev

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AddSpace Ep. 108 | Drowning In Videogames 1:46:54

11M ago1:46:54

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Bacon, Justin, BAP, and Aaron try to tread water in the coming deluge of games, discuss the problematic writing but excellent gameplay of Baldur's Gate 3, and prepare our bodies to receive Armored Core 6. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ljay90 Host: @ashy3classy Host: @ansfreeman Theme Song: @Willieev

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How Objectivism Can Fuel Your Happiness by Tal Tsfany 1:07:55

11M ago1:07:55

1:07:55

Objectivism is a philosophy for living on earth. Happily. In this talk, ARI CEO Tal Tsfany will share concepts and actionable practices for leveraging Objectivism toward achieving the state of consciousness we call happiness. This interactive session will cover tools and techniques for answering questions such as “Who am I?” “What do I love?” What …

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Inside ARU: Philosophy and Work with Keith Schacht 54:15

12M ago54:15

54:15

Ayn Rand University is an online school of philosophy whose mission is to educate our students about Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism and to provide them with the intellectual, career and life guidance they need to flourish.In this clip, from the ARU course “Philosophy, Work and Business,” instructors Tal Tsfany, Onkar Ghate and Don Watkins talk to…

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Inside ARU: Philosophy and Work with Yaron Brook 54:43

12M ago54:43

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Ayn Rand University is an online school of philosophy whose mission is to educate our students about Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism and to provide them with the intellectual, career and life guidance they need to flourish.In this clip, from the ARU course “Philosophy, Work and Business,” instructors Tal Tsfany, Onkar Ghate and Don Watkins talk to…

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AddSpace Ep. 107 | What Games Make You Happy? 1:39:47

12M ago1:39:47

1:39:47

Bacon, Justin, and Aaron talk what games make us happy, the concept of happiness in gaming, the first of many Bluelock discussions, Activision losing the entire Cybertron game series, and announcements from Final Fantasy Fanfest. Host: @B4c0nzilla Host: @ljay90 Host: @ansfreeman Theme Song: @Willieev…

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The Immorality of the U.S. Immigration System by Agustina Vergara Cid 41:40

12M ago41:40

41:40

Opponents of immigration often say those who want to come to America should “get in line” and follow the law. But the U.S. immigration system sets legal immigrants up for failure, and penalizes the best people who want to make America their home. The system is profoundly unjust both for immigrants and for Americans as well. Agustina Vergara Cid, an…

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Q&A Panel and Conclusion of Conference with Onkar Ghate, Robert Mayhew, and Gregory Salmieri 1:07:51

1y ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Attendees take this final opportunity to pose any lingering questions the conference may have raised.Recorded live at Ayn Rand Con Europe 2023By Ayn Rand Institute

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Russia’s War in Ukraine by Yaron Brook 1:29:42

1y ago1:29:42

1:29:42

The war in Ukraine continues nearly a year and a half since Russia’s initial invasion. In this talk, Dr. Brook will illuminate the causes and consequences of this war. What were the factors that led to it, and what is its current status? What lessons can we learn about the state of our culture by looking at the response in the West to the war in Uk…

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Anti-Americanism and Anti-Capitalism by Nikos Sotirakopoulos 44:30

1y ago44:30

44:30

When America was attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001, Greece was among the countries with the strongest anti-American sentiment, together with the likes of Pakistan and Iran. At the same time, it was one of the few remaining countries with a strong Communist Party, and with leftist ideas having a significant pull in society. Why do anti-Am…

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Reason and Faith — Their Methods, Their Consequences, Their Relationship by Tara Smith 41:53

1y ago41:53

41:53

This lecture clarifies the basic nature of reason and of faith. It explains the superiority of reason by highlighting its role in the acquisition of knowledge and the advance of human progress. Finally, it explores the prospects for reconciling reason with faith, finding that any attempts to partner the two serve only to destroy the benefits of rea…

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Aristotle’s Lyceum by Robert Mayhew 53:50

1y ago53:50

53:50

In this talk, after a quick look at the life of Aristotle and his establishment of a philosophical school at the Lyceum, Dr. Mayhew will describe the grounds and buildings of the Lyceum, its use as a school of philosophy, and the possible reasons for its steady decline as a cultural influence in the centuries following Aristotle’s death. A brief ac…

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Man’s Life as the Standard of Value in the Ethics of Ayn Rand and Aristotle by Gregory Salmieri 51:48

1y ago51:48

51:48

“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 t…

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