Introducing Children to Objectivism
Q&A Radio: 10 August 2014, Question 3
I answered a question on introducing children to Objectivism on 10 August 2014. You can listen to or download the podcast of just this question below – or check out the whole episode of Philosophy in Action Radio.
How should I introduce my teenagers to Atlas Shrugged and Objectivism? I'd like to introduce my teenagers to Ayn Rand's novels, as well as to the principles of her philosophy of Objectivism. How should I do that? My concern is that I'll bungle it up and bore them to death or succeed too well and convert them into Objectivist jerks for the next ten years. What's a rational approach for parents?
My Answer, In Brief: If you've been living your philosophy, you've been teaching it to your children as well. You should not take a heavy-handed approach, but instead wait for them to express some interest in the ideas.
Tags: Atlas Shrugged, Children, Education, Epistemology, Ethics, Metaphysics, Objectivism, Parenting, Philosophy, Politics
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- Duration: 13:26
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Relevant Links
- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
- Philosophy in Action: Jenn Casey and Kelly Elmore on Parenting without Punishment
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I'm Dr. Diana Brickell. I'm a philosopher specializing in the application of rational principles to the challenges of real life. I received my Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2009. My book, Responsibility & Luck: A Defense of Praise and Blame, is available for purchase in paperback and Kindle. The book defends the justice of moral praise and blame of persons using an Aristotelian theory of moral responsibility, thereby refuting Thomas Nagel's "problem of moral luck."
My radio show, Philosophy in Action Radio, broadcasts live over the internet on most Sunday mornings and some Thursday evenings. On Sunday mornings, I answer questions applying rational principles to the challenges of real life in a live hour-long show. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers co-hosts the show. On Thursday evenings, I interview an expert guest or discuss a topic of interest.
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