The Rational Egoist

Challenging the Status Quo: Corruption, Third Party, and Prison Reform In this episode of the Rational Egoist podcast, host Michael Liebowitz engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Larry Sharpe, a seasoned business consultant, entrepreneur, political activist, and podcaster. Together, they explore some of the most pressing issues in the political landscape, including the impact of corruption on the political process, the viability of a third party, and the need for prison reform. Drawing from his experience as a Libertarian candidate for governor of New York, Sharpe offers insightful perspectives on how government corruption is contributing to the rising cost of living, and how a third party could serve as a viable alternative to the two-party system. They also delve into the need for prison reform, and how it can help reduce crime and save taxpayers money. Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights into some of the most pressing issues facing our society today. Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate of reason and his views have been heavily influenced by the philosopher Ayn Rand. Liebowitz has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason. In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party for Connecticut - USA and has been involved in a number of political debates advocating for individual rights and freedoms through his YouTube videos and interviews. Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of the writings of Ayn Rand. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand. He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest. Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism. In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issues.

Examining the flaws of government intervention - The Rational Egoist In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz engages in a discussion with special guest Michael Mechanic, senior editor of Mother Jones, and author of "Jackpot: How the Super Rich Really Live, and How Their Wealth Harms Us All". The episode some common views on inequality and the merits of this perspective. The conversation begins with a discussion on inequality, with Mechanic questioning how much money a CEO of a company can take out of their own business compared to other workers and speculating on when should the government step in and limit what they can take. However, Liebowitz challenges the notion that inequality is the primary issue and instead argues that the real problem lies in any hindrance or interference in the creation of wealth by those who produce it. Mechanic criticizes the government for providing tax breaks to the rich, which he argues allows them to use philanthropy to pay very little tax. However, he also advocates for giving more power to the government in socialism, which Liebowitz counters as a flawed solution that will only lead to more corruption. The conversation becomes more philosophical as Liebowitz questions Mechanic's moral standard for judging the accumulation of wealth as wrong. Mechanic argues that the government should intervene and stop people from accumulating wealth, but this idea is met with criticism by Liebowitz, who asserts that an individual has no right to initiate force against another person and therefore cannot delegate a right they do not have, to the government. Overall, The Rational Egoist provides a stimulating discussion that challenges traditional views on inequality and highlights the importance of individual rights and free market capitalism. The rational egoist suggests that society should value the freedom to create wealth without hinderance, rather than focusing on the distribution of wealth based on arbitrary factors such as social status and needs. Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate of reason and his views have been heavily influenced by the philosopher Ayn Rand. Liebowitz has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason. In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party for Connecticut - USA and has been involved in a number of political debates advocating for individual rights and freedoms through his YouTube videos and interviews. Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of the writings of Ayn Rand. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand. He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest. Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism. In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issues.

The Paradox of Selflessness: How Wokeism and Trumpism Betray Rational Self-Interest In this episode of Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz and guest Robert Tracinski, Senior fellow at the Atlas Society and author of "Who is John Galt, Anyway? A Pocket Guide to Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged," explore the challenges of civil discourse in the age of wokeism and Trumpism. Drawing on their expertise in rational egoism, Liebowitz and Tracinski discuss the paradox of selflessness as it manifests in these two irrational beliefs. Wokeism promotes a collectivist mindset that seeks to suppress individual thinking and expression, while Trumpism emphasizes a cult of personality that values loyalty to the leader over rational self-interest. Liebowitz and Tracinski argue that both of these ideologies betray the true spirit of rational self-interest, which requires individuals to pursue their own goals and values in cooperation with others, without sacrificing their own well-being to the demands of the collective or the authority of the leader. The conversation also touches on the challenges of engaging in civil discourse in the era of social media and the importance of protecting individual rights and freedoms in order to build a more prosperous and just society for all. Ultimately, Liebowitz and Tracinski make the case that a rational egoist approach, based on the pursuit of rational self-interest, is the key to achieving true progress and prosperity in society, and that the irrational beliefs of wokeism and Trumpism are holding us back from achieving our full potential as individuals and as a society. Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate for the philosophy of Objectivism, as developed by Ayn Rand, and has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason. In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party in the United States, and has been involved in a number of political campaigns advocating for individual rights and freedoms. Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of Objectivism. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand. He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest. Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism. In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issues.

Socialism vs Individualism: The Battle for Human Rights and Freedom Welcome to this episode of The Rational Egoist, hosted by Michael Liebowitz. In this episode, Michael interviews Todd Feinburg, host of The Todd Feinburg Show on WTIC. They dive into a discussion about the principles laid out in the founding documents, particularly the Declaration of Independence, which they argue are obvious statements of human nature but not upheld in reality by socialism. Michael and Todd explore the concept that everyone deserves the fruits of their own labor, but our current system violates those rights. They also discuss the idea that those who can see objective truths are gaslighted by socialist ideology. They further elaborate on the point that because socialism is not based on solid truths, the entire house of cards can crumble on a few wrong decisions. The conversation also touches on the difficulty of identifying what the government is doing and how legislation often benefits the government rather than the public. They argue that we can see the government stealing and squandering our money, and that it is essential to hold them accountable. Join Michael Liebowitz and Todd Feinburg as they provide insightful analysis and thought-provoking commentary on the impact of socialism on our society and the need for individual rights and freedoms. Tune in to The Rational Egoist for this fascinating conversation.

The Rational Egoist - Examining Unicorn Governance and the Messiah Complex In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz interviews Michael Munger, an economist and professor at Duke University, on the topic of unicorn governance and the messiah complex. Munger discusses his article on the conceptions that people have about what the economy should look like, and how this often leads to people on the left wanting an ideal government with benevolent motives. However, this model does not work, and blaming capitalism and greedy landlords only serves to avoid fixing the real problem with government. The conversation also delves into the concept of the messiah complex, where people blame the current government for not working and vote for someone else in the hope that they will be better. Munger highlights the importance of trusting free markets and self-interest, and how this has worked better than advocating for government responsibility. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode to gain insights into the complexities of human decision-making and the flaws of government-led collective efforts.

The Rational Egoist - Understanding Prison Computations and the Failures of Rehabilitation Programs In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz interviews Carlos Rebollo on the topic of prison sentence computations and the failures of rehabilitation programs. The discussion focuses on the psychology of criminal behavior and the need for proper psychological frameworks in designing effective rehabilitation programs. The conversation also delves into the challenges with the computation of prison sentences, including the lack of clear criteria for reductions and the failure of government-led collective efforts in treating criminal behavior. Carlos shares his own experiences of rehabilitation and highlights the importance of fostering the correct objective psychology and morality in the process. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode to gain insights into the complexities of the criminal justice system and the need for more effective approaches to reform.

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Rational Egoist, where host Michael Liebowitz delves into thought-provoking topics from a rational perspective. In this episode, Michael is joined by renowned journalist and author Jacob Sullum to discuss the controversial and complex issue of the War on Drugs.The conversation explores the unintended consequences of drug prohibition and its impact on individual rights and freedom. Our hosts examine how prohibiting people from taking drugs leads to the imposition of taxes on drugs, driving up costs and reducing accessibility for those who may require them for legitimate medical purposes.Jacob and Michael also discuss how the prohibition of drugs forces manufacturers to create concentrated and adulterated versions, often laced with other substances to avoid detection. This not only poses a significant risk to users but also fuels a dangerous black market that operates outside the bounds of safety regulations and oversight.Furthermore, they shed light on how the War on Drugs restricts the medical use of certain substances, preventing doctors from prescribing potentially beneficial treatments to their patients. This overreach of government intervention in healthcare decisions ultimately leads to errors and suboptimal patient outcomes.Join Michael Liebowitz and Jacob Sullum as they dissect the complexities of the War on Drugs from a rational lens, advocating for rational self-interest and individual liberty

In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz interviews Murray Sabrin, an emeritus professor of finance and author of several books, including "Health Care: Navigating the Boom/Bust Cycle" and "From Immigrant to Public Intellectual: An American Story." They discuss how injecting money into the economy impacts and manipulates the markets artificially, leading to unsustainable boom and bust cycles. Sabrin argues that taxes, spending, regulation, and subsidies have ruined the economy, leading to an economic fascism in America where the government tells people what to do with their own properties. The distortion of the economy created by the Federal Reserve is not based on organic growth and is therefore not sustainable, leading us towards fascism. Tune in to this thought-provoking discussion on the impact of government intervention on the economy.

In this episode of "The Rational Egoist" podcast, hosts Michael Liebowitz and Andy Duncan delve into the contentious topic of secession in America. Is it possible for a state or group of individuals to legally secede from the Union without violating individual rights? Michael explores this question from an objectivist perspective, examining the principles of individual freedom and the right to rebel against tyrannical governments if you are an individual or consenting group of individuals, but cautions that forced secession violates the very principle that it is based on and that is individual human rights. Moreover, the hosts explore the role of individuals in shaping society through a consistent and principled message. Can one person or a small group of individuals make a significant impact on society by advocating for their beliefs and values? The hosts examine the power of persuasion and the importance of a clear, consistent message in effecting change.Tune in to "The Rational Egoist" podcast to explore the complex and provocative topic of secession in America from a rational, individualist perspective.

In this episode of "The Rational Egoist" podcast, Michael Liebowitz interviews James Valliant to delve into the philosophy of Objectivism and its applications in daily life.Valliant explains Ayn Rand's philosophy that rights are inherent to human nature and not granted by society or government. He highlights how every individual has the right to life, liberty, and property by virtue of their existence as a rational being.Liebowitz and Valliant discuss the Objectivist perspective on morality, which is grounded in the objective standard of life. They explain how individuals must act in a way that promotes their own life and flourishing while respecting the rights of others. Reason, the ability to think abstractly and logically, is the fundamental means of knowing beyond a perceptual level and the most critical tool for survival.The podcast also explores the crucial role of freedom in the operation of reason. Liebowitz and Valliant emphasize how a loss of freedom not only eliminates the ability to reason but also contributes to developing long-term psychological effects.The speakers also discuss the topic of criminals and their anti-conceptual mentality. They explain how criminals lack ethics and act without regard for the rights of others, whereas rational egoists recognize the importance of respecting the rights of others as a means of promoting their own self-interest.This podcast with Michael Liebowitz and James Valliant offers an insightful exploration of Objectivism and its applications in daily life. Their discussion aims to inspire individuals to live according to the principles of rational self-interest and individualism while respecting the rights of others.