New Ideal, from the Ayn Rand Institute
A curated selection of content from the pages of New Ideal, the journal of the Ayn Rand Institute. At New Ideal, we explore pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, which upholds the ideals of reason, individualism, and capitalism. https://newideal.aynrand.org
Will Europe’s Immigration Problems Happen in the U.S.?
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate, Nikos Sotirakopoulos, and Agustina Vergara Cid discuss Europe’s immigration policies, its failure to assimilate immigrants and adopt rational policies toward them, and what America needs to learn from Europe’s failures to avoid these problems.
Among the topics covered:
The need to distinguish normal immigration from a refugee crisis; What statistical data show is happening in Europe; The rise in violence against women and Jews in Europe; Europe’s evasion and denial of the dangers of militant Islam; Immigrant crime and welfare benefits in Europe versus in the...In Defense of Life Extension
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Dan Schwartz and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss the significance of Dr. Peter Attia’s new book Outlive and challenge some common arguments against life extension.
Among the topics covered:
Why we should care about extending our lives and our health; How Peter Attia’s book fits into and changes the debate on life extension; Why the egalitarian argument against life extension is wrong; Why the “limited natural resources” argument against life extension is wrong; Why the “boredom,” “urgency” and “quality of life” arguments against life extension are wrong; Why the “glut of the able” argu...Religious Skeptics Should Question Their Moral Theology
In this episode, Ben Bayer reads aloud his article, “Religious Skeptics Should Question Their Moral Theology.” In that essay, he argues that even though more secular people have rejected God and religion as such, they should take one more step and reject the conventional morality that comes from traditional religious beliefs.
Special Announcement: We’re Releasing a Huge Trove of Essays on Rand’s Fiction and Philosophy
In this special episode, Ben Bayer and Elan Journo preview the release of scores of in-depth historical, literary, and philosophical essays on Ayn Rand’s novels. Originally included in a series of books edited by Robert Mayhew, these articles are a tremendous educational resource that can greatly add to the public understanding of Rand as a novelist and seminal philosopher.
Philip Kitcher’s Critique of Today’s Useless Philosophy
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer, Mike Mazza and Aaron Smith discuss What’s the Use of Philosophy?, a recent book by leading philosopher Philip Kitcher, in which Kitcher calls out academic philosophy for its useless work and corrupt methods.
Among the topics covered:
Why it is significant that an established professor of philosophy has written a damning critique of his own profession; Kitcher’s radical claim that philosophy has become disconnected from life, practical guidance, and useful methods, and his willingness to question whether the profession has any legitimate value; How Kitcher goes...What is a Woman? and Gender War Tribalism
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss Matt Walsh’s film What Is a Woman? and how it reflects a deeper tribalism about sex and gender roles within the so-called culture wars and our current political climate.
Among the topics covered:
How Walsh’s film is much more propaganda than a sincere documentary; Why appeals to common sense can’t settle questions of sex and gender; Walsh’s appeal to the Maasai tribe reveals a mentality that wants to return to a more primitive view of gender roles; How Walsh’s “documen...In Defense of Self-Esteem
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Ziemowit Gowin and Tristan de Liège defend self-esteem against attacks and misrepresentations by presenting Ayn Rand’s distinctive view of self-esteem as a psychological and moral necessity for successful living.
Among the topics covered:
Why we should care about how to think about self-esteem as a value; Rand’s view of self-esteem as portrayed in her fictional characters; Why self-esteem is not the result of the opinions of others or an automatic recognition of one’s inherent value; Why self-esteem is a necessary condition for happiness and success; Why sel...The Dishonest Debate on Immigration and National Security
When discussing the impact of immigration on national security, most anti-immigration advocates focus on the alleged risks: foreign terrorists and spies living among us. But they rarely consider the positive contributions immigrants make to our national security. How do immigrants impact national security? Why is the debate on this topic biased against immigrants?
OCON 2023: The Pre-Game Show
The Objectivist Summer Conference 2023 is just around the corner, so join us for a preview of some of the talks the attendees will enjoy. Meet some of our first-time speakers and hear what animates them ahead of the biggest Objectivist event of the year. Presenters include Agustina Vergara Cid, Elan Journo, Dan Schwartz, Nikos Sotirakopoulos, and Sam Weaver.
The ‘Social Justice’ War on Science
A recently published paper, “In Defense of Merit in Science,” documents the growing influence of “Critical Social Justice” ideology in major scientific institutions. This ideology opposes the idea that we can acquire objective knowledge about reality using scientific methods. Major universities and prominent scientific journals are setting policies based on this ideology and are pressuring scientists to conform to its tenets.
