The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast

Discussion on the parallels between America and the late USSR, Ferguson's oversight of the role of ideas, the potential for authoritarianism, and misidentifying the root causes of American decline.

https://youtu.be/GdlePIECjGc Podcast audio: In this episode of New Ideal Live, Onkar Ghate and Adi Dynar discuss the Supreme Court's overturning of its 1984 Chevron doctrine, which held that courts should sometimes defer to a federal agency’s interpretation of a vague law. Among the topics covered: How Chevron gave the executive branch the power to make law, thereby incentivizing the passing of vague laws; How Chevron made it harder for individuals to challenge regulations; The majority opinion’s insufficient stress on the issue of the separation of powers; Why the argument that courts lack factual expertise is a smokescreen; How the practice of deference relies on a presumption in favor of government power; The Court's failure to articulate the principle of the rule of law; Why it is unlikely that this decision will cause legal chaos. The podcast was recorded on July 3, 2024. Listen and subscribe from your mobile device on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. Watch archived podcasts here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEKVbWwlqhM Podcast audio: In this episode of New Ideal, Mike Mazza responds to an episode of Neil deGrasse Tyson's StarTalk, in which neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky argues against the existence of free will. Among the topics covered: The meaning and stakes of the free will debate; Why determinists are wrong to focus on atomistic choices about preferences: How free will is established philosophically and presupposed by science. The podcast premiered on June 27, 2024. Listen and subscribe from your mobile device on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. Watch archived podcasts here.

https://youtu.be/hGoQ52C0PAg Podcast audio: In this special episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo interviews Robert Mayhew, Tara Smith, and Greg Salmieri at the Objectivist summer conference in Anaheim, California. They celebrate the release of Smith's new book on the First Amendment and the republication of the essays in Mayhew's series on Ayn Rand's novels, discussing the importance of written content in advancing an intellectual movement. Among the topics covered: The role of books in fueling an intellectual movement; How the essay collections came about and its importance in Rand scholarship; Notable pieces from the essay collections; Celebrating Smith’s book on the First Amendment; The failures of the free speech movement; Rand’s distinctive perspective on intellectual freedom; The future of Objectivist intellectual work; Questions on pursuing an intellectual career, studying Rand, and the First Amendment. Mentioned in this podcast are Smith’s book The First Amendment: Essays on the Imperative of Intellectual Freedom and Mayhew’s essay collections on Rand’s novels. The podcast was recorded on June 16, 2024. 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/LaS-oLBiRbI Podcast audio: In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo interviews Tara Smith about her new book Egoism Without Permission: The Moral Psychology of Ayn Rand’s Ethics. Among the topics covered: What Rand means (and doesn't mean) by egoism and the virtues; Why  having desires and owning your emotions are crucial to having a good life, even though emotionalism is bad; Why the independent person does not seek permission for pursuing his happiness; Why self-esteem must be earned and sustained; Why self-interest means being interested in one’s values; How egoists can still fall prey to accidental sacrifices; The importance of introspection for egoism and flourishing; Smith’s message in Egoism Without Permission. Mentioned in the discussion are Tara Smith’s books Egoism Without Permission: The Moral Psychology of Ayn Rand’s Ethics and Ayn Rand’s Normative Ethics: The Virtuous Egoist and Leonard Peikoff’s Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand. The podcast premiered on June 12, 2024. Listen and subscribe from your mobile device on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. Watch archived podcasts here.

https://youtu.be/z5ptDg7iHlA Podcast audio: In this episode of New Ideal Live, Robertas Bakula interviews three of ARI's fellows to discuss their upcoming talks at Objectivist Summer Conference in Anaheim, California, which is being held from June 13 to 18. Among the topics covered: Jason Rheins’ talk “Socratic Wisdom,” concerning the value of knowing your own ignorance; Tristan de Liège’s talk “How to Value Friendship,” which will explore how the principles of Objectivism can help us deepen our friendships; Mike Mazza’s talk “Karl Popper’s Rejection of Induction,” which will address how Popper’s widely embraced philosophy of science actually undercuts the rationality of science. Virtual passes to the conference remain open for purchase through June 18. The podcast premiered on June 7, 2024. Listen and subscribe from your mobile device on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. Watch archived podcasts here.

https://youtu.be/N3B8VRLXjeg Podcast audio: In this episode of New Ideal Live, Sam Weaver and Onkar Ghate discuss the nature and significance of the Trump phenomenon. Among the topics covered: Why Trump’s base of support is significant; Why it’s important to study the Trump phenomenon; The meaning and consequences of Trump’s 2016 election Trump’s anti-intellectual character; Understanding Trump’s persistent support; Analyzing Trump’s presidency; The current state of political violence in America; How Democrats and tribalism enable Trump; Bernie Sanders, Trump, and the resurgence of populism. Mentioned in this podcast are Onkar Ghate’s articles "One Small Step for Dictatorship” and “The Anti-Intellectuality of Donald Trump: Why Ayn Rand Would Have Despised a President Trump,” and two podcast episodes: “The Storming of the Capitol” and “The 2024 Elections.” The podcast was recorded on June 5, 2024 . Listen and subscribe from your mobile device on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. Watch archived podcasts here. ARI has a philosophical mission, and as such its function is to analyze current events from that framework. Given our 501c3 status, our function is not to advocate for or against particular candidates.

The podcast discusses the chaotic events at the Libertarian Party's convention, where Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke. Topics include disunity on the concept of liberty, the stance against Israel's war in Gaza, the lack of a coherent positive ideology, Trump's authoritarianism support, and the LP's betrayal of Americans who believe in liberty.

Discussing the dominance of DEI in American institutions, the questionable nature of DEI, how it is sold as justice for marginalized groups, the package deal of 'diversity', moral relativism in 'inclusion', equality of results in 'equity', and why business leaders can't resist DEI despite impracticality.

Harry Binswanger, philosopher and friend of Ayn Rand, discusses the 1968 Columbia protests and compares them to current campus protests. Topics include communist revolution hopes, university tolerance, Ayn Rand's analysis, long-term legacy, and the worsening nature of today's protests.