Lecture 1: The Role of Philosophy | The Basic Principles of Objectivism

Lecture 1. The Role of Philosophy. What is philosophy?—The historical role of reason—The bankruptcy of today's culture—Objectivism—Objectivism vs. subjectivism.

For ten years—from 1958 to 1968— Nathaniel Branden's lectures on "Basic Principles of Objectivism" were given at Nathaniel Branden Institute in New York City and, via tape transcription, to groups in over eighty cities throughout the United States and abroad. More than 35,000 students attended these lectures.

"Basic Principles of Objectivism" is a detailed, 20-lecture, systematic exposition of the philosophy defined by Ayn Rand and introduced in her novels, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. The lectures are devoted to a presentation of Rand's philosophy—and to Mr. Branden's application of objectivism to his own field, psychology. Special emphasis is given to the concepts of human nature, mental health and personal development. The entirety of "Basic Principles" will be published online this year, and will be available in iTunes.