Thursday Course Descriptions
Each day of the Seminar provides you a choice of sessions designed to
meet your own interests and level of knowledge.
Experiencing The Moral Ideal
Robert James Bidinotto
Are '"rational rituals" a contradiction in terms, as some claim? Or is it
possible to craft forms of spiritual expression consonant with a
rational philosophical ideal? And if so, what might they be? Robert
Bidinotto, director of membership development for The Objectivist
Center, grapples with these questions, surveys the existing
spiritual practices of many Objectivists, and offers suggestions for
how to infuse one's daily life with a sense of meaning, inspiration,
and idealism.
How American Universities Avoid Accountability
Robert L. Campbell, PhD
In an age of rapid progress
in the information economy, American universities still operate as
cumbersome bureaucracies, avoiding accountability through concealed
spending patterns, cross-subsidies, and perverse incentives. In
addition to Robert Campbell's teaching duties at Clemson University, he
has served on the faculty-adminstration budget accountability
committee from 1996 to 1999.
Egoism, Benevolence, and Human Rights
Nathaniel Branden,
PhD
What is the role of self-interest with regard to benevolence and
respect for the rights of others, in the context of the Objectivist
ethics? Nathaniel Branden will challenge participants to rethink
some common assumptions in this area, including the idea that
every moral decision should begin with the question, "How does this
relate to my self-interest?" Nathaniel Branden is internationally
known for his contributions to psychological theory and practice.
Recent books include The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem,
Taking Responsibility, The Art of Consciousness,
and Self-Esteem at Work.
Rational Egoism in Rand and Spinoza
Kevin Hill, PhD
In the
historical tradition of philosophers who challenged altruism, Baruch
Spinoza maintained a form of rational egoism that is strikingly
similar to Ayn Rand's. Kevin Hill will explore those similarities, as
well as the differences in their theories of free will, moral
judgment, and toleration. Kevin Hill is a professor of philosophy
at Northwestern University and author of Nietzsche's Critiques.
Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mind: A Workshop for
Teenagers
Debra Ross
 Success in business rests on
the entrepreneur's willingness to live by his or her own judgment.
Similarly, success in life requires that we take responsibility for
our own decisions; we also must learn to set rational goals and
actively seek opportunities to achieve them. The best time to start
developing an entrepreneurial attitude toward independence,
responsibility, and productivity is during the teen years. This
small-group discussion workshop, designed for high school students
and recent graduates, will provide strategies for teens to develop
themselves as individuals. Debra Ross is president of Axton
Enterprises, a consulting firm that provides computer training and
software development for mail-order businesses.
Visual Logic in Architecture
Fred Stitt
Through illustrations of
historical achievements in architecture, from ancient Egypt to Frank
Lloyd Wright, Fred Stitt will show that the most powerful aesthetic
effects of architecture are the product of internal mathematical and
geometric organizing principles. In 1993, Mr. Stitt founded his
experimental school, the San Francisco Institute of Architecture, "a
safe place for the Howard Roarks of our time."
Self and Others: A Panel on Egoism
Nathaniel Branden, Kevin
Hill and David Kelley
To discuss the issues raised in their
morning lectures, Nathaniel Branden and Kevin Hill will join David
Kelley for a panel discussion on the concept of self-interest, the
nature of toleration and its bases, and the egoistic reasons for
respecting others.
The Theory of Productive Exercise
Francisco Villalobos
The bewildering mass of fads and misinformation about physical exercise
is frustrating to many people. Francisco Villalobos will clarify the
fundamental issues of exercise science so that anyone with a sincere
interest in the subject can gain a firm understanding of how
to construct his or her own exercise program. Mr. Villalobos has
several years' experience as a personal fitness trainer, and
has developed fitness and dietary regimens for hundreds of men and
women of all ages and physical predispositions.
How to Win Arguments
Carolyn Ray, PhD
Carolyn Ray will examine
some of the pitfalls of reasoning and communication that occur in
arguments, especially in the kinds of arguments Objectivists tend
to have with others. Carolyn Ray received her doctorate from Indiana
University, where she taught classes in philosophy and logic. She is
currently a philosophical consultant.
Inside a Composer's Mind
Richard Speer
How does a composer turn
abstract ideas into actual melodies, harmonies, and rhythms?
Performing at the piano, then explaining the ideas behind several of
his original pieces, including the "Prelude in B Minor,"
composer/pianist Richard Speer will share his insights on the process
of music-making in the romantic tradition.
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