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Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:50amSanction this postReply
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Hi All,

We have a tradition at work of Friday afternoon beer & pizza, followed (optionally) by a brief presentation by one of us on an interest, hobby, whatever. Recently two of my colleagues gave a presentation on Christianity & the Christian worldview (at least according to their take on Christianity).

So, this Friday, I'm giving a presentation on Objectivism. My rough outline is as follows:

1. Why is philosophy important?
2. Introduce Objectivism & Ayn Rand
3. The four fundamentals - metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics
4. Give some examples of how Objectivism can help one live a great life
5. Close with mention of SOLO, TOC & (gulp) ARI as sources of information, along with a brief mention of the limitations of the latter.

Does anyone have any suggestions for giving a presentation such as this? This is the first time I've given a presentation on something that doesn't involve software development or ways of shooting people with replica weapons.



Post 1

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:58amSanction this postReply
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Sounds like fun. I'm sure you'll do fine with it.

I've taught the 5 (!) branches of philosophy a number of times and have found politics to be a snoozer most of the time. Art, the one you omit, is one of the better topics for discussion because people are so passionate about their favorite movies, favorite music and favorite cartoon characters.

Epistemology can also lose people so make sure you prepare some good examples that they can relate to. Good luck! Remember you are only a guide.


Post 2

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 12:05pmSanction this postReply
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Lance - thanks for the suggestion; I'll give some thought to a more thorough treatment of art in my presentation.

Don't worry w.r.t. the tone of the presentation; I've already made it clear in my invitation email that I've only been studying the philosophy for a while, & intend my presentation solely as an introduction & source of further information.

What I will hopefully make clear *during* the presentation is that anyone who claims to be the sole, indisputable higher authority for all matters pertaining to Objectivism has clearly lost sight of the fundamentals of the philosophy. *cough*ARI*cough*.

Post 3

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 12:18pmSanction this postReply
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Sounds interesting. Please post on how it turns out.

John

Post 4

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 12:19pmSanction this postReply
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deleted double
(Edited by John Newnham on 11/22, 12:20pm)


Post 5

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 1:07pmSanction this postReply
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Hi Duncan,

Some pedagogical tips:

O'ism is weird and often unsettling to many people not familiar with it, so you might want to look for the common ground that O'ism shares with what your audience knows and is comfortable with. Also, it helps to have a theme. One theme that I find most effective is the theme of the heroic sense of life. Show how that permeates the 5 branches. Last, I hope you'd want your audience to enjoy the info you present, not just learn it, so my advice is: don't be an a-hole -- something O'ists often have a problem with. Do your best to empathize with your audience, and this shouldn't be a prob. Eh. You look like a nice guy, so it probably won't be a problem anyway. G'luck.

Jordan


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Post 6

Monday, November 22, 2004 - 1:18pmSanction this postReply
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Duncan,

There's a lot of possible ways of presenting it.  You could present the philosophy, like a quick overview.  I think that has limitations.  You might peak their curiosity, but they might just think you're strange.

You could discuss instead what Objectivism has to offer.  Why it's useful, and why they should look into it.  That's different from trying to sketch out the philosophy, although you might give some details for clarification.

One approach I've been thinking about is discussing the issues in each branch of philosophy that is most important to an outsider.  For instance.

1.)  The nature of emotions and their connection to reason.  Not many people understand this connection, and so end up waging a war inside themselves pitting the two against each other.

2.)  Expanding on the first point, talk about the objective requirements for happiness, and that there are objective requirements for happiness.  Happiness isn't anything goes.  The emotion is not a primary...it's a consequence.  And if you want real happiness, some means are better than others in achieving it.

3.)  Morality as a guide to choosing values/actions.  We make choices all the time, and yet most people don't try to understand their decision making process.  Are they being consistent?  Are they relying too heavily on their emotions because they can't see how to logically compare the choices?  That's what ethics is all about.  Learning to compare and contrast every possible value, and choose competently between them, instead of just a set of rules they have to follow.

4.)  Capitalism as a system of freedom.  Show that freedom vs. statism is the important comparison, and bash the left/right political spectrum false dichotomy.  Show that it's not theft for the rich vs. theft for the poor and bash the usual communist/fascist dichotomy.

Another thought is to discuss the inevitability of philosophy.  How you don't have a choice about having one, only the choice to analyze it and correct it.  Rand's "Philosophy: Who Needs It" essay is a good source.

And my last thought, project the consequences of your views.  I wrote an article called "An Objectivist World" (I think).  It discussed what a future world might look like.  You could do that, or project a single person who has integrated and understood the ideas. 

Good luck.


Post 7

Monday, November 29, 2004 - 4:27pmSanction this postReply
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How did your presentation go?

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Post 8

Saturday, January 15, 2005 - 8:28amSanction this postReply
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Its great that you are out there giving presentations on objectivism.  I am a powerpoint guru by trade and would gladly help sprinkle pixie dust on future presentations.  Here is a presentation I did for school a few years back.  The assignment was to make a presentation or website of a book.  While most of the students were doing kids books, I took on Atlas Shrugged.  I also added an interesting cast. Click the slide show icon on the bottom right and enjoy!  http://www.wheelerdesignworks.com/html/Atlas_Shrugged.mht

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Post 9

Saturday, January 15, 2005 - 4:29pmSanction this postReply
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Big katdaddy knows whereof he speaks!

That was an outstanding effort. 

Jillian Anderson as Dagny is a great choice.  Over the years, casting Atlas has been a hobby among Objectivists. 

(Daryl Hannah... Michael Douglas... Dustin Hoffman (different roles at different ages)...  Rock Hudson... Jane Fonda... Kirk Douglas...  it just depends on how old you are.)

In any event, your talent, skill, insight, awareness and devotion are evident by observation.


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Post 10

Monday, January 17, 2005 - 4:08pmSanction this postReply
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Thanks for your public and private compliments on the presentation.

Yes, I'm a groovy geek and I love the X-Files.  Scully has always reminded me of Dagny because of her rationality. They are both my heroes. What do you think of my character choices?  The only one based in reality is Bill Gates. The rest are from the X-Files, chosen either because of their character similarities or just based on what I would imagine that the characters would look like.  I haven't quite finished casting it. Any suggestions? 


Post 11

Monday, January 17, 2005 - 4:53pmSanction this postReply
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katdaddy,

Your presentation is great! It didn't load from the mozilla firefox browser the first time I tried it, but this time I used IE and it worked great.

I don't know about Bill Gates as John Galt. Somehow not convincing. A young [and alive] Richard Feynman would be better. I agree Jillian Anderson as Dagny is a great choice.

I really enjoyed this. You're awesome! I've never used this expression before, but... Galt bless you! [That only hurt a little].

Post 12

Monday, January 17, 2005 - 9:06pmSanction this postReply
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My casting call:

Craig T. Nelson: Hank Reardon
Jo Beth Willians/Sigourney Weaver: Dagny Taggart
Jimmy Smits: Francisco D'anconia
Roy Brocksmith: Jim Taggart(or any of the Washington lobby)
Christian Bale: Owen Kellog
Topher Grace: the Wet Nurse
Juliet Lewis: Cheryl Taggart
David Hyde Pierce: Philip Reardon
Cary Elwes:Ragnar Djaneskold
Shawn Wallace: Washington Lobby member

For some reason, when I first read ATLAS, I immediately imagined Craig T. Nelson as Reardon. I think of his performance in Poltergeist when he passionately defends his family; when he jumps up from the chair, commanding the supernatural to "LEAVE US ALONE!." The fact that he was the voice of Mr. Incredible in THE INCREDIBLES doesn't hurt, either.
Jo Beth Williams may have been suggested since she was the wife in POLTERGEIST, but I think she also has the perfect combination of feminine grace combined with the fury of a mother wolf when her children are threatened.

And Roy Brocksmith is the perfect politician; you may remember him from TOTAL RECALL. Hyde Pierce (Niles from "FRAZIER") would make a perfect Philip Reardon, wimpy, whiny, and would be a good comic foil to the serious older brother.

Post 13

Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 1:56pmSanction this postReply
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I'm not sure if there are any celebrities that I could picture playing any of the Atlas Shrugged characters (except for Antonio Banderas as Francisco, that has to be obvious). I would hold open auditions to find new talent in the same way that Lucas had to for Star Wars.

Adam


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Post 14

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 4:23amSanction this postReply
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Interesting casting choices. Here's the next round of casting director. Since I am fairly new to this forum and don't know the cast of characters here, lets put an interesting twist on it.

Using the members of Solo and the Objectivist community in general, lets create a new cast for both Atlas and Fountainhead.  Which part would you audition for and who would you nominate for various characters?  Realizing that there are no villians or collectivists here, we may have to reach into the world of political figures for the bad guys.

I will start the game by auditioning for the part of Eddie Willers....


Post 15

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 7:49amSanction this postReply
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I'll audition for the role of the woman who fainted on the stand at the "super-weapon" demonstration. ;-)  Oh, just to add that I think I'll be brilliant in it!

(Edited by Hong Zhang on 1/19, 8:06am)


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Post 16

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 8:38amSanction this postReply
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What an interesting twist!  I'm going to think abou this some more, but I'd like to recommend Leonard Peikoff for the role of Robert Stadler.  The perfect example of reason gone awry.

Jason

Disclaimer:  I KNOW that both their irrationalities are not examples of reason but rather its opposite, but I liked the way the phrase feels on the lips!


Post 17

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 5:03pmSanction this postReply
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I call young Francisco ;-)

-Michael-san


Post 18

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 8:39pmSanction this postReply
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I claim Owen Kellog!

I nominate Joe Rowlands for Ellis Wyatt.

Post 19

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 9:09pmSanction this postReply
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While I would love to audition for Dagny, I'm just not tall enough, dammit.  And I am NOT kissing Antonio Banderas.  Blech.

But I could really do a fine job on the launch of the John Galt line.  Oscar-worthy performance.

I think Joe would be better at Galt.  Linz is a shoo-in for Ellis Wyatt, what with that temper and all.  And I'm sure he would adore the overalls/lunchbox ensemble.  :)  Most importantly, he'd get to throw a glass at the fireplace in a violent display of anger. HA!


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