Philosophy is often disparaged as an ivory-tower pursuit that makes no difference in the real world. But if you know how to look, you can see its influence everywhere.

This talk by Steve Simpson, director of Legal Studies at the Ayn Rand Institute, explores how today’s widespread acceptance of determinism has made many people suspicious of free speech. In contrast, the controversial positions that ARI takes on free speech reflect its philosophical understanding of free will.

The talk was delivered at Ayn Rand Student Conference 2016 on November 5, 2016, at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.

Image: benjaminec via Shutterstock.com.