The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast

Examining the concept of 'Do-Gooders' and whether their actions are moral exemplars or taken too far. Exploring the sacrifices and struggles of individuals who dedicate themselves to doing good. Tensions between living a highly moral life and personal happiness. Stephanie's journey from religious guilt to questioning her altruistic beliefs. Reflection on rejection of Christianity, philosophy, and unlimited altruism, and the search for a better moral framework.

In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo, Onkar Ghate, Nikos Sotirakopoulos, and Tal Tsfany discuss the recent developments in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. They assess the cultural significance of Hamas' aggression and methods, the theocratic nature of the movement, and how Western reactions have been either impotent or, worse, encouraging violence against Israel. Among the topics covered: What makes Hamas' aggression tragically significant; Tsfany's experience of how the conflict has drastically escalated over the last decades; How terrorism became a deliberate strategy of the Palestinian movement; How U.S. leaders evaded the religious nature of Hamas; The Biden Administration’s lack of moral clarity; The fact that Hamas and its Western apologists share the same irrational ideas; The academic rejection of capitalism as proof of their destructive motives; What a Hamas government would look like if it wiped out Israel; The Iranian protesters as the only real hope for positive change in the Middle East; Whether Hamas can be completely separated from the Palestinian people. Mentioned in this podcast and relevant to the discussion are Elan Journo’s What Justice Demands and ARI’s resources on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The podcast was recorded on October 11, 2023. Listen to the discussion below. Listen and subscribe from your mobile device on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. Watch archived podcasts here. https://youtu.be/trV6Q3fp7cE Podcast audio:

Onkar Ghate, Elan Journo, and Boaz Arad discuss the Hamas invasion of Israel, the consequences of moral agnosticism, the role of U.S. foreign policy, the moral corruption of appeasement, and the evasion of ideas in the conflict. They emphasize the need for a strong response and the pursuit of victory. The chapter also touches upon the failure of US foreign policy after 9/11, Israel's foreign policy and the Gaza blockade, and the quest for real peace.

Cristiano Ronaldo's recruitment by Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia's investment in football and diplomatic agreement with the United States, the authoritarian nature of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia's PR campaign and celebrity involvement, defense pacts and progress in Saudi Arabia, superficial reforms vs. fundamental changes in Saudi Arabia, hope for change in Saudi Arabia

Explore the critique by Ayn Rand on the libertarian movement and the incompatibility of its doctrines, highlighting the divided nature of the movement. Discuss the historical relationship between libertarianism and the left, examining various strands within the movement such as anarchism and paleolibertarianism. Delve into the lack of ideological coherence among libertarians and the role of individual action in creating order. Also, discover a recommended book on the history of libertarianism and a preview of the next episode on Saudi Arabia and football.

Exploring the concept of independence in an interconnected society and rejecting the idea that interdependence implies dependence. The podcast examines the metaphysical perspective of collectivism and emphasizes the importance of independent thinking and individual actions. It also discusses the concept of 'man is an end in himself' and clarifies that independence does not mean rejecting help from others.

Listen to Ziemowit Gowin and Dan Schwartz discuss ambition, rationality, the virtues, and the foundations of morality in Ayn Rand's ethics. They debunk the misconception that ambition is solely about financial success and explore the importance of aligning work with one's values. The podcast also delves into the difference between Ayn Rand's virtue of rationality and Aristotle's virtue of practical wisdom. They explore the concept of choosing to live and discuss a hypothetical ethical dilemma.

Philosopher Harry Binswanger and English professor Shoshana Milgram discuss Ayn Rand's view of Romantic art. They explore the origins and essence of Romanticism, its connection to individualism and volition, and the need for its revival. They also delve into Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' as a Romantic artwork and the difficulty of defining an objective aesthetics of music. The episode concludes with an announcement of a conference on Romanticism in art and music.

The podcast explores Ayn Rand's rejection of the concept of original sin, discussing its negative implications on morality, nature, justice, and reason. It delves into the influence of beliefs, values, and feelings on character and explores the connection between original sin and morality, culture, and politics. Ayn Rand's critique of racial egalitarianism and her perspective on the rejection of original sin are also discussed. The principle of the mind-body relationship and its connection to original sin is explored, along with Ayn Rand's view of ethics and objective virtues.

In this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Elan Journo discuss the Biden administration’s recent prisoner swap with the Iranian regime and how it reflects the delusional attitudes and non-objective thinking that lead to America’s continuous foreign policy failures with regard to Islamic totalitarianism. Among the topics covered: The details of the prisoner swap; The often delusional attitude of American policymakers toward Iran; How the media has failed in its responsibility to question the Biden administration’s policies on Iran; How the nature and history of the Iranian regime pertain to the current situation; The importance of understanding the Iranian regime’s role in the broader Islamist movement; How a refusal to think in principles and consider the wider context has caused repeated foreign policy failures; Why the return of this pre-9/11 mentality bodes poorly for America’s future foreign policy; The threat Iran poses today. Mentioned in this podcast and relevant to the discussion is the book Failing to Confront Islamic Totalitarianism: What Went Wrong After 9/11, edited by Ghate and Journo, and Journo’s book What Justice Demands: America and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. The podcast was recorded on August 31, 2023. Listen to the discussion below. Listen and subscribe from your mobile device on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. Watch archived podcasts here. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H7B-KMn_OVc&pp=ygUYSXJhbiBheW4gUmFuZCBJbnN0aXR1dGUg Podcast audio: