The Culture of Reason Center

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Suggested materials of value to students of Objectivism.

To understand the philosophy of Objectivism requires a serious commitment to the study of various writings and lectures that have been made available since the birth of the Objectivist movement. Since the Objectivist philosophy challenges the past 2,000 years of thought, it is no surprise that some students may find it difficult at times to integrate the principles and totally break free from ideas rooted in altruism, collectivism and mysticism. To assimilate the fundamental principles of Objectivism may not be particularly difficult. However, the application of basic principles to specific concretes presents students with innumerable challenges. At The Culture of Reason Center (CRC), we recognize that every individual contributes a different context of knowledge and different methodologies for handling abstract ideas. By studying Objectivism in a group that is committed to truth and rational persuasion, one can appreciate that others may alert us to facts and perspectives we had not previously considered.

If I were asked to summarize the philosophy of Objectivism in a single sentence, I would say that Objectivism holds: a)      that existence, reality, the external world, is what it is, independent of man's consciousness, independent of anyone's knowledge, judgment, beliefs, hopes, wishes or fears - that facts are facts, that A is A, that things are what they are; b)      that reason, the faculty that identifies and integrates the material provided by man's senses...

John Galt is a fictional character from Ayn Rand's novel.  Galt is an inventor who embodies the virtues of an egoist, capitalist and individualist. Galt's character serves as a heroic counterpoint to a socialistic, altruistic economic social structure. The world in Atlas Shrugged is crumbling due to oppressive bureaucratic practices that interfere with the economy and stifle individual liberty and judgment. In this sense, John Galt can be metaphorically compared to Atlas of Greek Mythology who held the world on his shoulders.

Ayn Rand (1905- 1982) was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright and screenwriter. She is highly known for her best-selling fiction novels: The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged as well as for defining and developing a revolutionary philosophical system called Objectivism. Rand was born and educated in Russia, then emigrated to the United States in 1926. She first achieved fame with the publication of The Fountainhead in 1943 and her magnum opus Atlas Shrugged was published in 1957.

This test has been designed to assess your comprehension of the Introduction to Logic Lectures by Dr. Leonard Peikoff. Questions have been formed from lecture 2 only (Discs 4-6). There are 25 questions - each is worth 4 points. This test can be taken by students before and after listening to the lectures (as a pre and/or post-test). Only reading Ayn Rand's fictional work will not be sufficient preparation to excel on this test. This assessment can help students of Objectivism and study-group organizers determine the ideal study materials and is not intended to evaluate one's agreement with Objectivism.

We are pleased to announce that we will be offering Dr. Leonard Peikoff's audio lecture course Introduction to Logic. Since the course consists of roughly 27 hours of material, we will only be listening to the first disc of each of the 10 lectures in the course. To keep pace with the group, participants are required to listen to the remaining portions of each of the lectures on their own time.

This test has been designed to assess your comprehension of the Introduction to Logic Lectures by Dr. Leonard Peikoff. Questions have been formed from lecture 1 only (Discs 1-3). There are 25 questions - each is worth 4 points. This test can be taken by students before and after listening to the lectures (as a pre and/or post-test). Only reading Ayn Rand's fictional work will not be sufficient preparation to excel on this test. This assessment can help students of Objectivism and study-group organizers determine the ideal study materials and is not intended to evaluate one's agreement with Objectivism.