For Friday’s episode of Philosophy in Action Radio, I posted a preview of my podcast and study questions for “Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 15.”
The online version of Explore Atlas Shrugged – meaning, all 20 sessions of podcasts and study questions, plus other resources – can be purchased for just $20. The written materials are also available from Amazon in paperback and kindle formats, and purchasers of those editions pay just $10 for access to the podcasts. For more information, including previews of other sessions, visit Explore Atlas Shrugged.
Session 15 of Explore Atlas Shrugged covers:
- Part 3: Chapter 4: Anti-Life
- Part 3: Chapter 5: Their Brothers’ Keeper (Sections 1-2)
Preview the Podcast
Listen or Download:
- Duration: 25:12 (Preview) / 1:20:15 (Full Podcast)
- Download Preview: Standard MP3 File (8.7 MB)
- Art, Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand, Epistemology, Ethics, Literature, Metaphysics, Objectivism, Philosophy, Politics
Preview the Study Questions
Note: The pagination of the hardcover, softcover, and kindle editions differs from that of the small mass market paperback. The study questions cite only the pagination from the larger editions. I don’t recommend using the mass market paperback.
Part 3: Chapter 4: Anti-Life
Section 1 (864-885)
Jim Taggart wanders the streets of New York City seeking to celebrate the impending nationalization of d’Anconia Copper. He comes home to his wife Cherryl and forces a celebration on her. She reflects on the past year of her marriage, and then she flees in horror from Jim’s words.
Core Questions
- How did Jim accomplish the deal that will nationalize d’Anconia Copper? Is that an achievement worthy of celebration? Why or why not? What does he think and feel about it? (864-71)
- How has Cherryl changed since her wedding? What kind of person is she now? What has she learned about Jim? What does she see in him now? (868-85)
- What is Jim’s view of love? How does he need Cherryl? Is his view of love right or wrong? Why? What does it mean in practice? (876-7, 881-2, 883-4)
- What are the similarities and differences between Jim’s marriage to Cherryl and Lillian’s marriage to Hank Rearden? Which is worse? (873-83)
- How and why is Cherryl already damaged by Jim by the time she sees his true nature? Could she recover? Should she try? (882-3)
Extra Questions
- Why is Jim disturbed by the bum’s indifference to the money given to him? (864)
- What is Jim’s motive in his wheeling and dealing, if not money? Why doesn’t he want to think about that? (867)
- Why – and in what way – does Jim want to celebrate the nationalization of d’Anconia Copper with Cherryl? Is that desire innocent or honest? (868)
- How does Cherryl act toward Jim upon his return home? Why? What does she seek from him? (868-85)
- What is Cherryl’s attitude toward Jim’s “welfare philosophy”? Why? Who is right? (870)
- Why does Jim want to buy Cherryl something with the money he’ll earn from the nationalization of d’Anconia Copper? What is her response – and why? (870-1)
- What does Cherryl think of Dagny Taggart now, including her radio broadcast revealing her affair with Hank Rearden? What is Jim’s response to Cherryl’s questions about that broadcast? (871-2)
- Is Cherryl right that Jim is like her father? How are they similar? How are they different? (873)
- How and why did Cherryl learn to be a woman worthy of the name “Mrs. Taggart”? What was Jim’s response to those efforts? What does that reveal about him? (874-6)
- By what means did Cherryl learn about the true nature of Jim’s work? What was she tempted to do instead? Why did she choose to pursue her course to the end? How did Jim react to her discoveries? What does that reaction reveal about him? (876-7, 879-80)
- Is Cherryl right that Jim is not merely a “phony in his own business” but “an unpaid phony, an unvenal phony”? Why does she think that’s worse than being a con artist? Is she right? (876)
- What is Jim’s view of politicians, in contrast to his view of industrialists? Is he right or wrong? (878)
- Why does Jim want Cherryl to toast to Francisco d’Anconia? Why does she refuse? Is she right? (885)
About Explore Atlas Shrugged
Explore Atlas Shrugged is a series of 20 sessions of podcasts and study questions by me, philosopher Dr. Diana Hsieh. Each session covers about 65 pages of the novel, organized chapter-by-chapter and section-by-section. The podcasts are an in-depth look at the events, characters, and ideas from that portion of the novel. The whole series contains over 22 hours of lively and engaging discussion in podcast form. The study questions will help you better understand the novel on your own – or help you lead an engaging reading group. The series includes over 1400 questions, organized into “core” and “extra” categories.
You can preview the full series of podcasts and questions, as well as purchase access for just $20, here: Explore Atlas Shrugged. You can also purchase the series below.
Also, the written materials are available from Amazon in paperback and kindle formats, and purchasers of those editions pay just $10 for access to the podcasts.
Purchase Explore Atlas Shrugged
Access to the online version of Explore Atlas Shrugged costs just $20. It’s half off – just $10 – for purchasers of the paperback and kindle editions of the book version. Also, if you contribute to Philosophy in Action’s Tip Jar via recurring weekly or monthly contributions (or the equivalent), please email me for free access.
Terms of Sale: (1) You may share the podcasts with members of your household, but not beyond that. (2) You may share the study questions with members of your household, as well as with participants in your online or in-person Atlas Shrugged Reading Group. (3) Do not ever post the podcasts or study questions in any public forum.
Praise for Explore Atlas Shrugged
The response to Explore Atlas Shrugged has been overwhelmingly positive, including the following remarks:
I require students to read Atlas Shrugged in my introductory economics class. Dr. Hsieh’s Explore Atlas Shrugged podcasts were an essential tool to help communicate the novel’s lesson and hold effective class discussion. Do not attempt to teach the book without consulting the podcasts first!
— Bailey Norwood, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University
And:
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Diana – our GLO Atlas Reading Group is going so very well. We have about 12-13 people attending, and it is truly the most fun we’ve had in a long time. So much rewarding fun comes out of your ideas and organization. Can’t thank you enough for your efforts!!!
And:
I just wanted to send you a quick note and thank you for your efforts on Explore Atlas Shrugged. As part of the Charm City Objectivists Society we used your questions and podcast to help kick off our reading group yesterday for session one. We had epiphanies all around the table from someone who is a firm student of Objectivism to a person who had read Atlas Shrugged but is new to Objectivism. I know that neither Ray (our moderator) or myself could have undertaken this kind of thing without the wonderful resource you have created. You have helped me make a difference in my community and I thank you for it.
And:
The other day, I began listening to your Explore Atlas Shrugged podcasts. I have read and listened to the book several times, but it has been admittedly too long since the last time. Although I can not adequately express how much experiencing your podcasts has meant to me and the extent to which they have reinvigorated me, I did want to thank you…Thank you.
About Philosophy in Action Radio
Philosophy in Action Radio focuses on the application of rational principles to the challenges of real life. It broadcasts live on most Sunday mornings and many Thursday evenings over the internet. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.
