Onkar Ghate

Philosopher Onkar Ghate discusses the relationship between morality and religion, challenging blind obedience to authority in morality and exploring the historical source of religious duty. The podcast debates moral absolutism vs. moral grayness, rethinks morality with reason and religion, and delves into the causal nature of free will in morality.

Onkar Ghate, a senior scholar at the Ayn Rand Institute and lecturer on Objectivism, delves into the philosophical underpinnings of contemporary crises in Western society. He argues that our current challenges stem from a failure of the Enlightenment to articulate a morality of self-interest. Ghate critiques the fallout from events such as 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic as manifestations of a blind rebellion against self-sacrifice, advocating for Ayn Rand's Objectivism as a necessary moral framework to reclaim Enlightenment gains.

Onkar Ghate, a critic of pro-immigration arguments, teams up with Agustina Vergara Cid, who advocates for the moral and economic benefits of immigration. They dive into the flaws of conventional pro-immigration views, revealing how these arguments often stem from altruism and can infantilize immigrants. The duo critiques diversity quotas for perpetuating racism and challenges the notion that immigrants only take jobs 'Americans won't do.' Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on individual freedom versus collectivism in today's immigration debate.

Philosophy expert Onkar Ghate discusses the moral implications and irrationality of supporting anti-Israel and pro-Hamas protests on college campuses. The episode explores anti-Semitic trends at Columbia University, navigating free speech on campus, and the boundaries of freedom of assembly in public spaces. It also analyzes the challenges faced by Jewish individuals during protests and compares media treatment of different demonstrations.

Defenders of Ayn Rand, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer, challenge Jordan Peterson's critique of Rand's philosophy. They analyze Ayn Rand's characters in 'Atlas Shrugged', the concept of self-interest and responsibility, the relationship between the free market and axiomatic primacy, the clash between Greek rationality and Christianity in science, the limitations of Rand's work, and the essence of life in Rand's worldview.