Rand vs Arendt: Meeting the Novelist and the Philosopher

Daniel Golliher presents a discussion about two of modern America’s most profound thinkers, with all of their sharp similarities and differences. 

She fled the rise of totalitarianism in Europe in the early twentieth century, and, after coming to America, she settled in Manhattan.

Her work and her personality were a force, and in between cigarettes she produced some of the most consequential, and controversial, writing of the twentieth century. Not surprising—even today being a champion of freedom and a foe of totalitarianism draws slings. 

Who is this woman? Or rather, women? 

Ayn Rand and Hannah Arendt might seem quite similar upon first glance, but upon closer inspection their differences bloom. 

In this salon we’ll be discussing what distinguishes these two philosophers (who both, interestingly, wouldn’t call themselves pure philosophers): their public personas and relationship to wider culture, their views on politics, their books, and their legacies.

This salon will be an experiment to test interest in a longer series on Rand and Arendt, so please bring all your questions and enthusiasm!

To watch before the salon:

• This interview with Ayn Rand
• This interview with Hannah Arendt

To read before the salon:

• This will be a wide-ranging discussion, so it would be ideal to have read at least one book by each of the thinkers. If you need suggestions based on length or subject matter, contact Daniel. If you don’t have time to commit to a book, no problem! 
• The Wikipedia bio of Hannah Arendt
• The Wikipedia bio of Ayn Rand

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