Whew! The abstract and outline of my six-lecture “Objectivism 101″ course for TOC’s summer seminar is done too! Given that I only just started revising these lectures, some of it is likely to be not-entirely-accurate by the time the seminar rolls around. But since the outline covers six hours of lecturing, it’s pretty short on detail anyway.

Objectivism 101 Abstract

Ayn Rand’s novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged offer a unique and inspiring moral vision, but translating those ideals into daily life can be a challenge. In these lectures, we will survey the basic principles of Objectivism, from metaphysics to aesthetics. We will focus on both the theory and practice of the philosophy, contrasting it with common religious and cultural views. Although no familiarity with the philosophy of Objectivism is presumed for this course, acquaintance with Ayn Rand’s two major novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged will be helpful. Each session will draw upon ideas and themes from the earlier lectures, so attendance of all the lectures is recommended.

Objectivism 101 Outline

I. Ayn Rand and Philosophy

  Ayn Rand's life and work

  Philosophy

          The questions of philosophy

          Philosophy as universal, inescapable, and influential

          Philosophy in everyday life

  Objectivism in brief



II. Reality and Reason

  Metaphysics

          Primacy of existence

          Primacy of consciousness

  Epistemology

          Perceptual and conceptual awareness

          Reason

                  The data of the senses

                  The method of logic

                  The effort of volition

          Emotions

  God and the supernatural



III. Life and Happiness

  Ethics

          The ethics of Western culture

          Why do we need ethics?

          Life and happiness

          Rational self-interest

          Moral principles

          Values and virtues

  Social ethics

          Sacrifice of self or others

          The Trader Principle

          Individualism

  Mind-body integration



IV. The Virtues

  Virtue

          Rationality

          Productiveness

          Independence

          Honesty

          Justice

          Benevolence

          Integrity

          Pride

  The self-made soul



V. Individual Rights and Capitalism

  Politics

          Individual rights

          Negative (and not positive) rights

          Coercion

          Government

  Economics

          Economic systems

          Capitalism

          The critiques of capitalism

          Defending capitalism



VI. Art as Spiritual Fuel

  Aesthetics

          Art as spiritual fuel

          Art and philosophy

          Sense of life

          Standards in art

  Objectivism

          Objectivism as a system

          Studying Objectivism

          The future of Objectivism

Now I have a week to revise and complete my Advanced Seminar paper on philosophy of mind. Oy.