Sunday Course Descriptions
Each day of the Seminar provides you a choice of sessions designed to
meet your own interests and level of knowledge.
Introduction to Objectivism (six sessions)
William Thomas, MA
Objectivism is both a profoundly inspiring moral vision and a
truly practical guide for living. In this course of six short
lectures, William Thomas provides a structured introduction to the
key ideas of Objectivism for those who are new to Ayn Rand's work or
who have loved her novels but are not deeply familiar with her
philosophy. He will show how Rand?s philosophy is illustrated both
in her fiction and in real life, and contrast it with philosophic and
religious views that pervade our culture today. Topics include:
reason as one's only absolute in dealing with reality; happiness as the
moral reward of productive achievement in life, and capitalism as
the social system characterized by justice, freedom, and human
heroism. In the process, Mr. Thomas will explain key Objectivist
terms such as "the primacy of existence," "the choice to think,"
"the choice to live," and "the trader principle." William Thomas
is The Objectivist Center's manager of research and training. He
writes regularly on Objectivism in Navigator and is the co- author
with David Kelley of The Logical Structure of Objectivism.
Philosophical Method (six sessions)
David Kelley, PhD
In this
six-unit course, David Kelley will discuss the methodology for
analyzing philosophical issues and establishing philosophical
conclusions. Topics to be discussed include:
- Using the Objectivist
theory of concepts as a tool of analysis
- Identifying the essential
properties of a concept, essential reasons for a conclusion, and
essential questions in an issue
- The role of questions in defining
one's cognitive purpose
- Contextual thinking versus rationalism
Dr. Kelley will illustrate methodological issues with
examples drawn from his research in epistemology and from his
work on The Logical Structure of Objectivism.
The course is intended
for advanced students and scholars. It presupposes a
solid understanding of Objectivism and of the principles of
inductive and deductive logic. Some knowledge of the history
of philosophy is also desirable. Dr. Kelley, the Executive Director,
is the author of The Evidence of the Senses, Unrugged Individualism:
the Selfish Basis of Benevolence and A Life of One's Own: Individual
Rights and the Welfare State, among other works.
The State of the Culture
David Kelley, PhD
In his annual talk to
open the conference, David Kelley reports on the state of
the Objectivist movement and discusses major trends in the culture
at large. In addition to other topics this year, he will discuss
the status of reason as a cultural value. Dr. Kelley has taught
philosophy at Vassar College and Brandeis University and published
widely on philosophical, cultural, and political topics.
From Nietzsche to Heidegger (two sessions)
Stephen Hicks, PhD
The German intellectual world of the first half of the 20th
century was marked by themes of decline, emotionalism,
and belligerence, as intellectuals such as Spengler and Heidegger on
the "right" and the members of the Frankfurt school on the "left"
both influenced and reacted to developments in modern science and
to World War I and the Great Depression. Stephen Hicks is professor
of philosophy at Rockford College, and is currently Senior Fellow at
The Objectivist Center where he is working on postmodernism.
Teaching a Child to Read
Mary Heinking
Mary Heinking will apply
Objectivist principles to the practice of teaching a child to read.
The talk will cover the special importance of reading for children,
an overview of the various teaching methods and their impact on a
child's conceptual faculty, a description of the different stages
in the process of learning to read, and suggestions for encouraging
a life long love of reading. Ms. Heinking is a project director and
executive with one of the world's largest engineering and construction
firms. She is the author of the Jan-99 Navigator article "Treasure
Hunting for Children's Books." Ms. Heinking and her husband
homeschool their daughter, Elizabeth.
Oedipus, Hamlet, and the Meaning of Tragedy
Susan McCloskey, PhD
 Two of the
most influential texts in Western literature,
Sophocles' Oedipus Rex and Shakespeare's Hamlet, deal with
the perennial question of why good people sometimes meet tragic
ends. Each play locates its answer in a different conception of
human nature, human action, and the way of the world. This lecture
examines both plays to explore questions of interest to
Objectivists, such as fate and free will, human efficacy, and the
benevolence of the universe. Susan McCloskey is president
of McCloskey Writing Consultants, which offers seminars and writing
and editorial services to legal, corporate, and private clients. She
received her Ph.D. in English Literature at Princeton University
and taught at Vassar College, where she was director of the
humanities program.
The Divided Legacy of Noam Chomsky
Robert L. Campbell, PhD
Robert Campbell will trace the sources of Noam Chomsky's impact
on psychology. Chomsky's positive influences have helped demolish
the pretensions of behaviorism and open the way for modern psychology.
His other contributions, however, have encouraged fallacious
reasoning and are now thwarting the growth of psychology
and cognitive science. Dr. Campbell is professor of psychology at
Clemson University. He has published articles on expertise,
mathematical development, moral development, and on theories of
human development. Currently, he is on the advisory board of the
Journal of Ayn Rand Studies.
Acting Techniques for Personal Growth
Nell Robinson, MA
The techniques that actors use to create full, rich, imaginary characters
on stage can also be applied to oneself and one's actual life.
The goal of the workshop is to develop greater imagination,
spontaneity, expressiveness, and sense of creative purpose. Techniques
include imagery, theater games, and improvisation. This is not an
acting class; no formal acting is involved and no previous training
or experience is necessary. Nell Robinson is a theatrical producer,
director, and teacher with a background in psychology. This course
is limited to 20 participants, first come, first served. See
registration form.
Obstacles to the Pursuit of Happiness (two sessions)
Shelda Bond, MA
Healthy psychological functioning is a prerequisite in the
pursuit of happiness. This workshop will focus on expanding
the participant's emotional fund of knowledge as a means to
achieving that end. Through exercises and discussion, Shelda Bond
will help participants to enhance their ability to function in a
more emotionally intelligent manner. Ms. Bond is a
licensed psychotherapist. She has worked as adjunct professor at
Towson State University and as staff psychologist with Maryland
Drug Abuse. She was a partner and co-executive director in a private
practice dealing with women's issues, family and couples
therapy. This course is limited to 25 participants, first come,
first served. See registration form.
Introduction to Modern Mathematics (three sessions)
David Ross, PhD
 In this non-technical
introduction to modern mathematics,
David Ross will show how its three main branches—
abstract algebra, topology, and analysis—constitute the science
of measurement. The course will presuppose only an elementary
background in mathematics. Key principles will be illustrated by
puzzles, hands-on demonstrations, and examples from
biology, economics, and other fields. Dr. Ross is a mathematician at
Kodak Research Labs and a frequent speaker at previous Seminars.
Real Rhetoric: Writing a Speech
Ed Hudgins, PhD
A hands-on review
of how to choose and assemble the elements of a good speech with
emphasis on rhetorical devices and methods. Extensive use of examples
will be made to help illustrate these techniques. Ed Hudgins
received his doctorate from Catholic University.
Seminar on Anarchy, State and Utopia (three sessions)
Eric Mack, PhD
This limited-attendance seminar will focus on central themes and
arguments in Robert Nozick's renowned philosophical defense
of classical liberalism. Participants will receive reading
assignments and study questions in advance. Eric Mack is professor
of philosophy at Tulane University where he is also a member of the
faculty of the Murphy Institute of Political Economy. Dr.
Mack specializes in social and political philosophy, ethics and the
philosophy of law. Open to students only. See registration form
for details on how to apply.
Spain Filtered, Spain Unfiltered
Eric Barnhill
For the Romantics,
the culture of Spain was exotic and dangerous, and many
composers incorporated "Spanish-sounding" music into their work.
This program contrasts those works with authentic Spanish pieces,
with music by Moskowski, Debussy, Gottschalk, Soler, Mompou, and
Albeniz. Eric Barnhill will perform the music and comment on
its significance. An accomplished pianist, Mr. Barnhill has
performed in major concert halls in Europe, Canada, and the
United States. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music in
New York.
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