Navigator, November, 2001

Defending Our Values: The Objectivist Center Position Statement
Using the principles of Objectivism, TOC’s executive director, David Kelley, sets forth a position on how the United States ought to engage in the war on terrorism.

America’s Heroism
Heroism in America is not present when one sacrifices his life for the sake of another, says TOC’s manager of research and training, William Thomas. It exists when man acts to preserve what he values.

The Irrelevence of the Avant-Garde
Internationally known concert pianist Eric Barnhill observes that composers can offer us nothing today, musically or intellectually.

Individualism and Community
The new clamor for national unity, says Shawn E. Klein, strikes at the heart of America’s individualistic tradition.

Articles:

“It Was Like a Movie”
During Hollywood’s golden era, movie studios would produce grand, Romantic films—the type of productions that intrigued a young Ayn Rand. Now, says Richard Speer, America’s entertainment capital is churning out nihilistic films that rival the visions of al-Qaeda.

Taming the Animal Within
Damian Moskovitz, a recent Harvard University graduate, reviews Mean Genes. Though studying evolutionary psychology to help us improve ourselves is a useful tool, says Moskovitz, the two researchers who wrote this book commit bad philosophy and sloppy science.

Logbook:

TOC Hires a New Development Director

Other Logbook items:

Navigator Web Special
Objectivist Center Updates Moves to Yahoo! Groups
Web Site Traffic Increases After Terror Attacks
Sightings
Soundings

Suggested Readings on Evolutionary Psychology