We asked for your questions about Objectivist philosophy and you submitted them. Join Aaron Smith, Mike Mazza, and Sam Weaver to discuss Objectivism's answers to questions about the value of physical health, the rationality of helping others, and moral relativism.
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Mike Mazza, Aaron Smith and Sam Weaver answer questions about Objectivism submitted by the podcast’s audience.
Among the topics covered:
Mentioned in the discussion are Ayn Rand’s essays “What Is Capitalism?” and “The Ethics of Emergencies” from her book The Virtue of Selfishness.
If you’d like to ask a question to be answered on a future episode, please send an email with “Podcast question” in the subject header to newideal@aynrand.org.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:33 Objectivism on valuing physical health
0:02:00 Philosophy vs. personal choice
0:09:54 Physiques of Rand's fictional characters
0:14:03 Physical attractiveness as a goal
0:20:26 Life-extension technology
0:23:24 Enjoyable but risky activities
0:28:47 Objectivity of values
0:30:08 The concept "objective"
0:38:32 Rand's "immortal robot"
0:44:06 Rationally aiding other people
0:45:24 Rational vs. emotionalistic reasons
0:51:07 Helping strangers out of good will
0:54:59 Introspecting about helping others
Overview article available
here