Objectivism
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Webinars
The Atlas Society conducts live interactive webinars on Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. All courses are free of charge and include an opportunity for participants to ask questions.
To take a course, simply click on the hyperlinked course title on the advertised day and time of the class, and type your name in the "Guest" slot. Or you may register in advance.
Note: If you wish to participate in the live Q&A part of the presentation, you must use a microphone headset. You'll want to test your headset in advance of the program. If you do not wish to participate in the Q&A, you may simply listen to the program over your computer speakers or via headphones.
Upcoming Interactive Webinars
1.9.2012 New webinar schedule will be posted shortly.
On-Demand Webinars
POLITICS AND CULTURE
Progressives: Are They for Progress? (December 19, 2011)Today the term “Progressive” is represented by the Occupy Wall Street/occupy anywhere movement and by the left wing of the Democratic Party. In this interactive webinar, William R Thomas examines the history and values of the Progressive movement. He considers what “progress” means and how the idea of progress relates to the secular, statist, environmentalist, egalitarian, and pro-happiness aspects of today's Progressivism.
Conservatism and Elections: Untangling the Philosophy (December 12, 2011)
Conservatives for decades have dominated the Republican Party. Yet American political conservatism has consisted of an uneasy and often conflicting coalition concerned with economic, social, and foreign policy. This reflects internal problems within the conservative philosophy itself. Ed Hudgins gives an overview of the evolution and tenets of conservatism. He goes on to discuss the political and social challenges that it has sought to address and the state of conservatism today in light of the upcoming 2012 elections.
Justice in War: Foreign Policy 2 (November 17, 2011)
William R Thomas discusses justice in the context of war-fighting. Should there be restrictions on weapons or tactics? Is there a workable distinction between combatants and non-combatants? To answer these questions we need to ask what the goals of war-fighting are and how justice in wartime differs from justice in the normal context of life. Sixty-four minutes.
Free World Order: Objectivist Foreign Policy 1 (November 9, 2011)
Explore the basic structure and goals of foreign policy on Objectivist premises in this webinar. With the Iraq war winding down and NATO victorious in Libya, how should we be looking at foreign policy in the 21st century? Is there a free world as opposed to an unfree world? Does it matter that even the most free countries have mixed political/economic systems that restrict freedom? Should a free country even have a government diplomatic corps? How can free countries best deal with each other and how can they best deal with tyrannical or oppressive foreign governments? Fifty-two minutes.
VIRTUES AND VALUES
Family Relations: An Individualist View (January 9, 2012)
Each of us is an individual, yet each of is born of parents and shares the genes and customs of our family. Family ties are the model of duty and community in traditional thought. Yet while rational family ties can be a unique and highly valuable social connection, there are no unchosen duties and no one is bound by their clan or tribe. William R Thomas presents.
Friendship for Egoists (November 28, 2011)
Objectivism is an egoist philosophy. It holds that you should put yourself first. In that context, what does it mean to be a friend? In this webinar, William R Thomas discusses what friendship is, what Objectivism can teach us about it, and what kinds of errors Objectivists are prone to make in friendship.
Independence in an Interconnected World (November 14, 2011)
Is it possible to live independently in an interdependent society? Do we have any knowledge we can really call our own?
If we depend on businesses and experts to bring us information, products, and truth, in what sense can we really be independent? William R Thomas explains the Objectivist virtue of independence in this webinar. Fifty-one minutes total.
Pride: Living as a Self-Made Soul (June 29, 2011)
In this webinar William R Thomas discusses pride as "the first and last of the virtues." Pride connects directly with the radical egoism of the Objectivist ethics. And it sums up the ethics, too, being a commitment to moral excellence. The webinar considers in what sense a proud person is “arrogant.” Is pride competitive? It also looks at why self-esteem requires competence and moral rectitude. One hour and nine minutes in total.
Benevolence, Goodwill, and Trust (March 25, 2011)
In this webinar, presented on March 25th, 2011, William R Thomas presents his view that goodwill and trust are Objectivist social values. He goes on to discuss the virtues of honesty and integrity as means of earning trust, and presents David Kelley's concept of benevolence, arguing that it is the key virtue for winning goodwill.
Justice: Treating Others Objectively (March 4, 2011)
Judge others, and prepare to be judged. We live in society, but how can we deal with others in a way that promotes rational, productive actions and denies support to the irrational and evil? What is needed is objective moral judgment and a commitment to treating others as a they deserve. TAS Director of Programs William R Thomas explains and discusses the Objectivist virtue of justice in this interactive webinar
Integrity: Living as a Whole Person (November 12, 2010)
Are you true to your values and your world-view? Integrity is the virtue of acting consistently for the sake of long-range values. William R Thomas discussed the nature of integrity and aspects of this virtue such as emotional integrity, courage, confidence, and sincerity. This webinar is part of series on the virtues of Objectivism.
The Virtue of Rationality (October 21, 2010)
Are you rational? Or do you yield often to vices such as emotionalism, bias, and dogmatism? William R Thomas leads this interactive webinar discussing the elements of the Objectivist virtue of rationality and the importance of this virtue in living a successful life.
Honesty: An Objectivist View (Oct. 1, 2010)
Can courtesy be dishonest? When is lying compatible with honesty? William R Thomas presents this interactive webinar on the virtue of honesty from an Objectivist perspective.
Productiveness: Responsibility for Value (Feb. 4, 2011)
An individualist life and a harmonious society are only possible because we can apply reason to the production of the values we need. As individuals, the crucial skill on which our lives depend is our ability to do productive work and be responsible for fulfilling our needs. In this interactive webinar, William R Thomas explains and discusses the Objectivist virtue of productiveness.
ATLAS SHRUGGED
Atlas Shrugged Part 1: Hank Rearden (May 11, 2011)
In this recorded webinar, William R Thomas fills in the back story of Hank Rearden, the heroic steel titan of the movie Atlas Shrugged Part 1. Drawing on Ayn Rand's novel, Thomas discusses the deep conflicts that run through Rearden's inner life and his social dealings, conflicts that are not fully brought out in the film alone. Rearden's errors include a willingness to bear others' burdens without limit, a moral relativism, and an acceptance of a radical dichotomy between mind and body.
Atlas Shrugged Part 1: Dagny Taggart (May 4, 2011)
Atlas Shrugged Part 1: The Ideas Behind the Movie (April 27, 2001)
In this interactive webinar, William R Thomas discusses the fundamental ideas represented in the movie Atlas Shrugged Part 1. He discusses the objectivity of Dagny Taggart versus her brother James, the idea that profit-seeking is noble and right that Hank Rearden struggles to defend, the power-seeking of Wesley Mouch, and the principle of non-coercion that underlies all of Dagny's dealings.