The Rational Egoist Jim Valliant and Michael Liebowitz objectivity as a guide to self-improvement.
Jim Valliant and Michael Liebowitz continue their ongoing series using OPAR as a practical guide to self-improvement.
In this episode, they turn to one of the most demanding—and most liberating—virtues: Objectivity.
Drawing from OPAR (Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand), Jim and Michael examine what objectivity actually requires in daily life. Not neutrality. Not emotional detachment. But an uncompromising commitment to reality as it is, judged by evidence, logic, and context.
They explore why objectivity is not automatic, why it must be chosen, and why so many people evade it—especially when facts threaten comfort, identity, or moral posturing. The discussion moves from epistemology into psychology, showing how habits of subjectivism and social conformity quietly erode self-trust, independence, and long-range thinking.
This is not an academic exercise. It is a practical conversation about how objectivity functions as a tool of self-improvement:
how it sharpens judgment, stabilises emotions, clarifies values, and anchors self-esteem in reality rather than approval.
If self-improvement is about becoming more effective at living, then objectivity is the non-negotiable starting point.
About Jim Valliant
Jim Valliant is an Objectivist philosopher and author best known for his meticulous scholarship and commitment to intellectual honesty. His work is respected for its precision, moral seriousness, and refusal to compromise facts for sentiment or social approval. Jim brings clarity and rigor to philosophical discussions, always grounding abstract principles in reality and logic.
About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational Egoist
Michael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.
His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defence of individual rights and intellectual clarity.
He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:
Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crime
https://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit-Hole-Corrections-Encourages/dp/197448064X
View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Liberty
https://books2read.com/u/4jN6xj
About Xenia Ioannou – Producer of The Rational Egoist
Xenia Ioannou is the producer of The Rational Egoist, responsible for overseeing the publishing, presentation, and promotion of each episode to ensure a consistent standard of clarity, professionalism, and intellectual rigour.
She is the CEO of Alexa Real Estate, a property manager and entrepreneur, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ayn Rand Centre Australia, where she contributes to the organisation’s strategic direction and public engagement with ideas centred on reason, individual rights, and human freedom.
Xenia also leads Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup in Adelaide, creating a forum for thoughtful discussion on Ayn Rand’s philosophy and its application to everyday life, culture, and current issues.
Join Capitalism and Coffee here:
https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-rand-meetup/
Follow Xenia’s essays on reason, independence, and purposeful living at her Substack:
https://substack.com/@xeniaioannou?utm_source=user-menu
Because freedom is worth thinking about — and talking about.
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