| 2005 Summer Seminar |
—William Perry, J.D.
Course Description:
There are substantial superficial similarities between Ayn Rand and Jose Ortega y Gasset as philosophers. Both were criticized for writing and speaking about philosophy to popular audiences. Both had philosophies that emphasized individualism. Rand read Ortega and even listed him in her journals as the "vague" model for the character who later became Hugh Akston in Atlas Shrugged. There are substantial differences as well since Rand acknowledged the influence of Aristotle, and Ortega started as a Cartesian. William Perry will explore the differences and similarities between Rand and Ortega, and suggest some aspects of Ortega's work that would be interesting to Objectivists.
William E. Perry is a retired prosecutor. He has spoken previously at the 2002 TOC Summer Seminar on "The Role of the Prosecutor—What it is and What it Should Be." and at the 2003 TOC Summer Seminar on "The Laws of Self Defense." He received his A.B. in Dramatic Art from the University of California at Davis in 1969, and his J.D. from the University of Arizona in 1975. He began reading Rand in 1963 and Ortega in 1970. He was a founding member and co-leader of Arizona Objectivists and has made numerous presentations there and at other Objectivist groups.
Bill is currently Director of Community Relations for The Objectivist Center.
Schedule: Monday, 11:30 - 12:45 PM
Track: Philosophy