Look Who it Was Random video

The Morality of Freedom

4,190 views · Published 2 June 2014 · 0:42 · Indexed 5 October 2026

Channel: Ayn Rand Institute · 2014 · Nonprofits & Activism

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Do all people desire freedom? If we look at the history of human civilization and at popular political movements of today and the past century, argues Onkar Ghate, the answer is definitely no. The fact that freedom is not a self-evident value underscores the importance of understanding its actual nature and value, especially for those interested in living free.

Toward this end, this lecture provides an overview of the philosophical foundations of freedom as a moral and political ideal as well as a philosophical analysis of the rise and decline of liberty as an ideal in the West.

Specifically, this lecture examines the Age of Enlightenment, arguing that the essence of Enlightenment philosophy inspired its leading figures to define and embrace political liberty. Along the way, Dr. Ghate discusses why the Enlightenment is best understood as a championing of reason and a rejection of obedience to authority; what the basic Enlightenment argument is for liberty; and why this argument couldn't withstand the increasing attacks from nineteenth- and twentieth-century thinkers. The lecture concludes with a brief discussion of Ayn Rand's philosophy and how it can be seen as providing a new case for the ideals of the Enlightenment.

Access the full course at: https://campus.aynrand.org/campus-courses/the-morality-of-freedom

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Headquartered in Irvine, California, the Ayn Rand Institute works to introduce young people to Ayn Rand's novels, to support scholarships and research based on her ideas and to promote the principles of reason, individual rights and laissez-faire capitalism.

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