Egoism Without Permission: Exploring Ayn Rand’s Ethics with Dr. Tara Smith

Dr. Tara Smith, philosophy professor specializing in Ayn Rand’s ethical thought, joins philosopher Arkadiusz Synowczyk to explore Rand’s ethics, based on her latest book Egoism Without Permission. Come and join us!

Rand’s moral philosophy often elicits strong reactions, yet it offers a unique perspective that resists being forgotten. In this SuperSalon, we will join Tara Smith, a leading expert on Ayn Rand’s ethics, and embark on an in-depth exploration of Ayn Rand’s ethical framework. Drawing on Tara’s latest book, Egoism Without Permission: The Moral Psychology of Ayn Rand’s Ethics, we will go through the core tenets of Rand’s moral psychology, address common misconceptions and highlight the practical applications of egoism in everyday life.

Discussion topics will include:

• The nature of self-interest and its misinterpretations.
• How Rand’s concept of rational self-interest contrasts with common views on morality.
• The psychological underpinnings of Rand’s ethical system.
• Practical implications of living by Ayn Rand’s principles of egoism.

Pre-event media (optional):

• Excerpt from Egoism without Permission by Tara Smith
• Rubin Report: Why Selfishness is a Virtue by Onkar Ghate and Tara Smith
• Can Selfishness Be a Moral Ideal? by Aaron Smith

Quotes from the book:

• Egoism has an image problem. The term is shadowed by unsavory associations… Yet, on even modest reflection, the person who leads such a life hardly seems to ‘have it made.'”
• “If we are to assess egoism judiciously, we must first have an accurate understanding of what it commends. To understand that, in turn, requires a clear understanding of its aim, self-interest.”
• “Flourishing is not a static condition but an ongoing series of activities… it is not something that one can complete and place squarely in the past: Done. Over.”

Tara Smith is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, where she holds the BB&T Chair for the Study of Objectivism and is the Anthem Foundation Fellow. She is the author of Judicial Review in an Objective Legal System (Cambridge University Press, 2015), Ayn Rand’s Normative Ethics: The Virtuous Egoist (Cambridge University Press, 2006), Viable Values: A Study of Life as the Root and Reward of Morality (Rowman & Littlefield, 2000), and Moral Rights and Political Freedom (Rowman & Littlefield, 1995), as well as numerous articles in moral, legal, and political philosophy.

Arkadiusz Synowczyk holds a BA in philosophy from Newcastle University (UK). He is interested in epistemology, philosophy of science, and philosophy of language, with a particular interest in the problem of induction and the practical applications of philosophy. He has hosted salons on Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn, the relationship between religion and science, and more. Besides his academic activities, he develops his YouTube channel and Substack blog where he shares his thoughts and ideas on philosophy and related topics.

This event will be recorded.

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