TOS Admin's Articles
Announcements
The Fall Issue of The Objective Standard
TOS Admin August 14, 2013
First, a quick announcement about a change in The Objective Standard’s publishing schedule: Beginning with the Fall 2013 issue, the quarterly will be published a month earlier than in the past. The new schedule is as follows. Fall: print edition mails on August 15, electronic editions post on August 20;…
Philosophy
What the Poor Owe the Rich
TOS Admin July 20, 2013
In this episode of Reason at Large, Craig Biddle discusses what the so-called poor owe the rich, focusing on several of the many things for which the poor should thank the rich, including the goods and services they produce, the jobs they make possible, the legitimate aspects of government they…
Announcements
TOS Now Uses MailChimp
TOS Admin July 19, 2013
As part of a larger website migration underway, TOS has transferred its email lists from an old server to a new one at MailChimp. If you subscribe to our free TOS commentary & announcements list, you likely received a newly formatted email through that list last Monday. (If you subscribe…
Philosophy
Why use “Islamist” Rather than “Muslim”?
TOS Admin July 9, 2013
In this episode of Reason at Large, Craig Biddle answers the question, "Why do you sometimes use the term 'Islamist' rather than 'Muslim' to refer to Muslims?" In answering, Biddle points out that some Muslims take their religion seriously and thus seek to convert or kill unbelievers, and some Muslims…
Philosophy
Why Choose to Live?
TOS Admin July 7, 2013
In this episode of Reason at Large, Craig Biddle answers a question from Eric: "Objectivism holds that morality presupposes the choice to live. But why should I choose to live?" In answering, Biddle discusses the nature of the question, the reason the questioner doesn't really need an answer to the…
Philosophy
Morally Judging Muslims and Other Religionists
TOS Admin July 6, 2013
In this episode of Reason at Large, Craig Biddle answers the question, "You've argued that people should be intolerant of Islam. How does this apply to individual Muslims, not all of whom truly or fully embrace Islam?" In answering, Biddle discusses the need to account for the context of a…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism
Is Objectivism a Cult?
TOS Admin July 5, 2013
In this episode of Reason at Large, Craig Biddle addresses the question, "If an Objectivist is someone who accepts Ayn Rand’s entire philosophy as true, how is Objectivism different from a cult?" In answering, Biddle discusses the essence of Objectivism, the nature of a cult, and the absurdity of positing…
Philosophy
Don't Tolerate Islam, Condemn It
TOS Admin June 28, 2013
In this episode of Reason at Large, Craig Biddle answers a question from Amy: "You’ve said that people should be intolerant of Islam. How do you square this with the right to freedom of religion?" In answering, Biddle discusses the difference between respecting rights and being tolerant, the fallacy of…
Announcements
The Summer Issue of The Objective Standard
TOS Admin June 15, 2013
The print edition of the Summer issue of The Objective Standard has been mailed, and the online version has been posted to our website (a few days early). The contents of the Summer issue are: FEATURES In Memory of Joshua Lipana (1991–2013) Craig Biddle The End of Central Banking, Part…
Economics
Introduction to “The End of Central Banking, Part I” by Richard M. Salsman
TOS Admin March 10, 2013
Here is the introduction to Richard Salsman’s article “The End of Central Banking, Part I,” from the forthcoming (Spring 2013) issue of The Objective Standard: This year marks the centenary of the law establishing the U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve (Fed), so it’s an appropriate time to assess the…
Announcements, Philosophy
“Christianity is Only the Second Worst Evil in Western History? I Agree.”
TOS Admin March 9, 2013
Here's a taste of the full transcript of the debate between Dinesh D'Souza and Andrew Bernstein, “Christianity: Good or Bad for Mankind?” which will be published in the forthcoming (Spring) issue of The Objective Standard. “If Mr. D’Souza’s argument is, ‘Well, the Communists and the Nazis murdered more people than…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Philosophy
The Trinity of Liberty Q&A, with Craig Biddle
TOS Admin February 15, 2013
This is the Q&A from Craig Biddle's speech "The Trinity of Liberty: Individualism, Individual Rights, and Independent Thinking," delivered at Hungry Minds Speaker Series, Denver, CO, Feb 2, 2013. Biddle answers questions about egoism, moral principles, the proper use of the term "selfishness," the nature of individual rights, and the…
Philosophy
Video: Christianity: Good or Bad for Mankind? — Dinesh D'Souza vs. Andrew Bernstein
TOS Admin February 14, 2013
For the first time ever, a top Objectivist intellectual, Andrew Bernstein, debates a top Christian apologist, Dinesh D'Souza. "New Atheists," such as Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, and Michael Shermer, have debated Mr. D'Souza in the past, but their critiques of Christianity have been based on skepticism, subjectivism, relativism. Dr. Bernstein's…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Politics & Rights
Video: The Trinity of Liberty: Individualism, Individual Rights, and Independent Thinking
TOS Admin February 12, 2013
What are the essential principles that give rise to and support a free society? This is the most pressing question mankind faces today, and its answer is the least understood. In this speech, delivered at Hungry Minds Speaker Series in Denver, CO, Craig Biddle argues that a free society depends…
Announcements
D’Souza-Bernstein Debate Details
TOS Admin February 6, 2013
The debate between Dinesh D’souza and Andrew Bernstein—on the question, “Christianity: Good or Bad for Mankind?”—takes place this Friday at 7:00 PM CST, in Hogg Auditorium, at University of Texas–Austin. Auditorium tickets and Livestream access can be purchased here. (Auditorium tickets are expected to sell out the night of the…