“There is a fundamental moral difference between a man who sees his self-interest in production and a man who sees it in robbery. The evil of a robber does not lie in the fact that he pursues his own interests, but in what he regards as to his own interest. . .”
“Happiness is the successful state of life, pain is an agent of death. Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values. . . . "
On August 8 and 9, 2016, Andrew Bernstein, Objectivist philosopher and author of books such as The Capitalist Manifesto: The Historic, Economic and Philosophic Case for Laissez-Faire, will deliver no less than three lectures at El Foro Objetivista (The Objectivist Forum) in Guatemala.
Isn’t summer the perfect time to read a good book? We think so. That is why we at ARI have compiled a summer reading list with a selection of great books covering today’s important issues from a distinctly Objectivist perspective. These books address topics such as the inequality debate, the threat from Islamic totalitarianism, the state of American education and other significant issues.
This Saturday, April 9, guest hosts Amanda Maxham and Aaron Smith will talk about the meaning of selfishness, benevolence and altruism; whether it’s selfish to have (or not have) children; the disturbing environmentalist trend of viewing children as “carbon burdens.”
In Defense of Selfishness, a new book authored by Peter Schwartz, boldly challenges the idea that self-sacrifice is a virtue. Since its June 2 release, the book is, unsurprisingly, often discussed in relation to Ayn Rand’s The Virtue of Selfishness since the dominant theme is reminiscent of Rand’s earlier work. In light of this commentary, Schwartz addresses this comparison.
On June 10, 2015, ARI’s Distinguished Fellow Peter Schwartz gave a talk in New York City at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center. In his talk, Peter discussed the ideas in his new book, In Defense of Selfishness: Why the Code of Self-Sacrifice Is Unjust and Destructive. Peter’s talk, which was delivered as a part of ARI’s Road to a Free Society tour, was recorded by C-SPAN and is now available online.
