Preliminary Note: Feel free to forward this announcement (officially here) to anyone you think might be interested in attending. If you plan to come in from out of town for the event, you might want to contact Lin Zinser for recommendations on where to stay and what to do, as well as to request notice of other Front Range Objectivism get-togethers that weekend. Personally, I very much enjoy Tara Smith’s work (both in lecture and in print, both as a philosopher and as a person), so I’m really looking forward to her visit to Denver. To hear her speak is a rare treat — and well worth the effort and expense of travel for those of you not lucky enough to live within easy reach of our fine city.
Front Range Objectivist Supper Talks is pleased to announce its next event: A lecture on “Egoistic Justice and Some of its Practical Implications” by Tara Smith on February 19, 2005 in Denver, Colorado.
Abstract
People frequently complain that injustice results from selfishness. Ayn Rand demonstrated that nothing could be farther from the truth.
This lecture will explore Ayn Rand’s illuminating account of the egoistic nature of justice. After tracing the practical case for being just, we will consider four of the unconventional implications that flow from this: the emphatic need to judge other people; the diametrical opposition between justice and today’s ubiquitous ideal of egalitarianism; the proper place of forgiveness in a just man’s life; the proper place of mercy in a just man’s life. When, if ever, are forgiveness and mercy justified? Is either of them ever not merely permissible, but required?
Since injustice is the result not of too much egoism, but of too little, a fuller understanding of the egoistic character of justice can fortify us to exercise the virtue of justice more consistently and to reap thereby its selfish rewards.
More Details
The “Egoistic Justice and Some of its Practical Implications” lecture will be hosted at the West Woods Golf Club at 6655 Quaker Street, Arvada, Colorado (a suburb of Denver). There will be a social hour (with cash bar) beginning at 6:00 pm, followed by buffet dinner at 7:00, and Dr. Smith’s talk at 8:00. The cost is $45 for adults and $25 for students.
Reservations with Lin Zinser are required by February 15. E-mail lin(at)zinser.com or send your check or money order to FROST, 8700 Dover Court, Arvada, CO 80005.
Anyone is welcome, including interested non—Objectivists. Please contact Lin Zinser for details at lin(at)zinser.com or snail-mail your reservation and check to 8700 Dover Court, Arvada, CO 80005. You may also call her at 303.431.2525.
About Tara Smith
Dr. Smith is associate professor of philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. She is the author of Moral Rights and Political Freedom (Rowman & Littlefield, 1995), a book on individual rights, and Viable Values: A Study of Life as the Root and Reward of Morality (Rowman & Littlefield, 2000). In addition to these books, Dr. Smith has published articles and/or lectured on such topics as self-interest, objectivity, affirmative action, business ethics, pride, justice, forgiveness, and romantic love. Dr. Smith has also presented seminars on clear thinking to businessmen.
About FROST
FROST is an organization which brings national and internationally known speakers affiliated with the Ayn Rand Institute to the Denver metro area to speak on a variety of subjects. For further information about FROST, please view the FROST Page or contact Lin Zinser at lin(at)zinser.com.
