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activism \ altruism \ Ayn Rand \ capitalism \ free markets \ Objectivism \ selfishness
Free Minds and Free Markets: An Interview with Don Watkins
WATKINS: The basic difference between our book and most political books is that ours is philosophic. We try to get underneath today’s superficial debates, and tackle the important issues that will determine the direction of this country.
business \ economic freedom \ human rights \ liberty \ marriage \ mind and body \ personal freedom
The Freedom to Commit to a Dream
The popular prejudice that tolerates the restriction of economic liberties but decries the violation of civil liberties is just that—a bigoted prejudice that has no role in a civilized society.
culture \ fundamentals \ politics \ principles
Fundamentally Adrift: Today’s Ideological Debates Require a Deeper Perspective
Only fundamental principles can provide an intellectual compass to guide our understanding of issues in a way that allows us to see the basic direction in which a given idea will take us.
capitalism \ envy \ inequality \ Occupy Wall Street
Why Protest Inequality?: Unmasking the Deeper Motivation of the Occupy Movement
Why, in spite of massive evidence that profits motivate entrepreneurs to innovate in ways that enable so many of us to live comfortably, is there still a sense that inequality is unfair?
ethics \ morality \ sacrifice \ selfishness
A Moral Operating System: Software for Living
Damon Horowitz begins his recent TED presentation with the following question: What’s better, iPhone or Android? Nearly everyone in the audience immediately raised a hand in favor of one or the other. Then Horowitz asked which moral framework is better: that of John Stuart Mill or Immanuel Kant? Few hands were raised for either. The [...]
From “Yes We Can!” to “Why Bother?”
Rescuing Idealism from Today’s Political Cynics Barack Obama energized an entire generation of young people in 2008 with his declaration, “Yes we can!” “HOPE,” “PROGRESS” and “CHANGE” emblazoned the iconic red and blue posters portraying the confident young Obama gazing optimistically into the future. But as those posters began to fade in 2010, young people [...]
To Study or Not To Study
The false alternative between achieving academic goals and having fun Each September, students arrive on college campuses and prepare for the academic challenges ahead. They arm themselves with lists, schedules, and planners as they seek out classes, bookstores, and financial aid offices. The air seems alive with a sense of energy as students begin the [...]
productive work \ relationships \ virtue \ work
The Spiritual Value of Work
What’s more important – your work or your relationships? That’s the question posed by David Brooks in his op-ed in the New York Times. He references the case of Sandra Bullock, whose career success has recently been overshadowed by her husband’s infidelity. There are other common examples of the work-versus-relationship struggle –the businessman who goes [...]
sacrifice \ selfish \ selfless
The Unselfish Actions of Today’s “Selfish” Men
Selfishness requires consideration for the long-range consequences of one’s actions. Over the past year, we have seen many highly-publicized instances of people being caught acting dishonestly. Investor Bernie Madoff was caught running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of billions. Golfer Tiger Woods admitted to engaging in more than a dozen affairs over the course [...]
employment \ purpose \ selfish \ university
Taking the Pain out of Productivity
The problem with the perceived divide between work and life. With graduation day looming for this year’s college class, millions of students will soon be joining those already seeking employment, while the employed nervously hope their positions are safe. Media commentators and political leaders, following the public’s lead, have fixated on the issue of “jobs”–how [...]
