Books on Amazon
Explore Atlas Shrugged
By Diana Brickell
Do you want to better understand and appreciate Ayn Rand's epic novel Atlas Shrugged?
Explore Atlas Shrugged is an in-depth course consisting of a podcast series, study questions, and other resources by philosopher Dr. Diana Brickell. The course breaks Atlas Shrugged into 20 manageable sessions, each covering about 65 pages of the novel.
- The study questions will help you better understand the novel on your own, as well as enable you to lead a successful reading group or class on Atlas Shrugged. The course contains over 1400 questions, organized into "core" and "extra" categories. You can preview the study questions for each session below.
- Each podcast is an in-depth look at the events, characters, and ideas from that portion of the novel. The course contains over 22 hours of lively and engaging podcasting. You can preview the podcast for each session below.
- Explore Atlas Shrugged also includes a Plot Outline, a Character Inventory, Questions for a Book Club, and a FAQ on Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups.
Explore Atlas Shrugged will inspire fresh insights into the complex events, characters, and ideas of Ayn Rand's epic novel, whether you've read it just once or a dozen times before.
Explore Atlas Shrugged is available as an online course, and the print materials (meaning, everything except the podcasts) are available in paperback and kindle formats. Purchasers of those editions pay just $10 for access to the podcasts.
Responsibility & Luck: A Defense of Praise and Blame
By Diana Brickell
Does the pervasive influence of luck in life mean that people cannot be held responsible for their choices? Do people lack the control required to justify moral praise and blame?
In his famous article "Moral Luck," philosopher Thomas Nagel casts doubt on our ordinary moral judgments of persons. He claims that we intuitively accept that moral responsibility requires control, yet we praise and blame people for their actions, the outcomes of those actions, and their characters – even though shaped by forces beyond their control, i.e., by luck. This is the "problem of moral luck."
Philosopher Diana Brickell argues that this attack on moral judgment rests on a faulty view of control, as well as other errors. By developing Aristotle's theory of moral responsibility, she explains the sources and limits of a person's responsibility for what he does, what he produces, and who he is. Ultimately, she shows that moral judgments are not undermined by luck.
In addition, this book explores the nature of moral agency and free will, the purpose of moral judgment, causation in tort and criminal law, the process of character development, and more.
Purchase Premium Content
Philosophy in Action offers premium content for sale, and you can order that below. As you place your order, you're welcome (but certainly not obliged) to add a tip for our work spreading rational principles for real life far and wide with Philosophy in Action Radio. You can also create a recurring tip here.
You can pay online via PayPal. Or you can send a check or money order via the US Mail, including with your bank's bill pay service. If you want to pay by some other method, choose "Other" below and explain in the comments.
Once you submit this form, you'll be automatically redirected to a page for payment. Within 24 hours of the receipt of payment, you will receive an email with information on how to access your purchase. If you have any questions or further comments, please email me at [email protected].
If you'd like to set up a recurring tip to Philosophy in Action, please use this form.
