Next Meeting: Tuesday November 17th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

This is going to be our last meeting until February 2nd.

Session 10: November 17, 2009: Pages 567 - 632
*Part 2: Chapter 7: The Moratorium on Brains
*Part 2: Chapter 8: By Our Love


*** Chapter 7: The Moratorium on Brains ***

* Who is Clifton Locey? What kind of person is he? (568-9)

* What is Eddie Willers' state of mind while Dagny is at the cabin?
(567-71)

* Section 2: 571

* What is Rearden's view of Ragnar? Why does he feel conflicted about
him? How does he express that in action? (573-84)

* By what principles does Ragnar operate as a pirate? What is his
purpose? Is he just? Is he foolish? What will be the ultimate
effects of his piracy? (575-81)

* What are the causes of the tunnel disaster? How does it depend on
people's choices, including their thinking? (584-607)

* What responsibility to the train passengers bear for the tunnel
disaster? How do their ideas lead to the crash? Do they deserve to
die? (605-7)

*** Chapter 8: By Our Love ***

* What is Dagny's state of mind at the cabin? What dominates her
thoughts? What does she struggle with—and why? (608-12)

* In her conversation with Francisco, what does Dagny think her basic
alternatives? What has she yet to learn? What are the basic points
that Francisco attempts to explain to Dagny? (618-20)

* How does Dagny react to the news of the tunnel disaster? Why does
that drive her to return to the world? (620-2)

* What is Jim Taggart's response to the tunnel disaster? What does
that say about his character and state of mind? (622-7)

Next Meeting: Tuesday November 10th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Session 9: November 10, 2009: Pages 496 - 566
*Part 2: Chapter 5: Account Overdrawn
*Part 2: Chapter 6: Miracle Metal


Chapter 5: Account Overdrawn

* What is the state of the world by February 15th? What are the
causes of the ever-faster decline? How and why are people at the
mercy of nature? How and why do the leaders respond as they do?
(496-501)

* Who is Mr. Weatherby? What is his purpose at the board meeting?
How do the board members treat him? (502-11)

* Why does Dagny refuse to express any opinions about what Taggart
Transcontinental should do? Why does the board want her to kill the
John Galt Line? Why are they unwilling to do it themselves? (506-11)

* Why does Dagny laugh in response to Mr. Weatherby's threat about the
railroad bonds? (510)

* What lesson does Francisco want Dagny to draw from the story of Nat
Taggart's battle to build the railroad? Does she draw that lesson?
What does he learn about her state of mind? (513-5)

* Why do Dagny Taggart and Hank Rearden want to be present at the last
run of the John Galt Line? Are their concerns merely material—or also
somehow spiritual? What does the decaying Marsh factory mean to
Dagny? (518-9)

* Why and how does Jim Taggart recognize that Lillian Rearden is the
more dependent and contemptible of the two of them? Is he right? (524)

* Why is Lillian so shocked and dismayed to discover that Dagny
Taggart is Hank Rearden's mistress? What does she grasp about its
significance? Why does she insist that he give her up? Why does he
refuse? (526-9)

Chapter 6: Miracle Metal

* What does this meeting between Mouch, Lawson, Taggart, Thompson,
Boyle, and Ferris reveal about these men? How are they different from
one another? How are they the same? (532-49)

* What is the content of Directive 10-289? What is the purpose and
likely effects of each point? Why is it so evil? (538-9)

* Why does Dagny resign immediately in response to Directive 10-289?
Why can't Eddie Willers follow, even thought he wants to do so? (552-3)

* Why does Tom Colby refuse to work under Directive 10-289? Why does
the Wet Nurse want to help Rearden to break the law? What has the Wet
Nurse learned since he began working for Rearden? More generally,
what is the response to the Directive at Rearden's mills? What is its
significance? (554-6)

* What does Rearden learn about himself and the looters in his
conversation with Dr. Ferris about the Gift Certificate? (559-66)

* Why does Rearden choose to sign the Gift Certificate? Is he right
to do so? Why or why not? (565-6)

Next Meeting: Tuesday November 3rd from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Here are the questions for next Tuesday. We will be finishing chapter 3 of part 2 and chapter 4.

Session 8: November 3, 2009: Pages 438 - 495
*Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail (B)
*Part 2: Chapter 4: The Sanction of the Victim


*Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail (B)

* How is Dannager changed when Dagny meets him? Does she have any
chance of reversing his decision? (443-7)

* What are Francisco's accusations of Rearden's (innocent) moral
crimes? Are they right? (451-5)

* Why does Francisco respond the way that he does to the break-out at
the mills? Why can't he continue his conversation with Hank after that? (456-60)

* What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

*** Chapter 4: The Sanction of the Victim ***

* How has Rearden's attitude toward and treatment of his family
changed since we first met them? How has it remained the same?
(461-71)

* How does Rearden's family react to the prospect of him going to
jail? Why does each person react as he/she does? (462-3)

* How and why does Hank have a more meaningful Thanksgiving with Dagny
than with his family? (474-5)

* What is Rearden's basic strategy in the trial? How is he acting on
his newly-discovered knowledge of the sanction of the victim? How do
the judges respond? What does it reveal about the nature of the
political system? To what extent is he successful? (476-82)

* Why does Hank want to talk to Francisco about Francisco's apparent
pursuit of mindless pleasures, particularly sex? Why is that topic of
personal importance to Hank? What does Hank learn from the
discussion? (489-93)

* What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Here are the questions for this next week's meeting, remember we are now meeting from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, we are still meeting in the Arts Building room AR298.


Session 7: October 27, 2009: Pages 379 - 438
*Part 2: Chapter 2: The Aristocracy of Pull
*Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail (A)

*** Chapter 2: The Aristocracy of Pull ***
* How is the state of the world different on this September 2nd than
on that of one year earlier, when the novel began?(379-80)

* Why is Lillian determined to go to James Taggart's wedding with
Hank? Why does Hank want to do anything but that? (385)

* What is the significance of the manner of Jim's courtship of
Cherryl? Why and how is she pained by it? What does Jim seek and
gain from Cherryl? What does she think she gives him? What does she
want from him? (387-92)

* Why does Lillian bring Hank as a present for Jim Taggart? What does
she reveal about her aims with respect to her husband? What is the
non-material recompense that Lillian wants? (398-400)

* What is Francisco's response to the claims that "money is the root
of all evil" and that "love of money is the root of all evil"? What
are Francisco's basic points? How does he connect money with
production and man's mind? How is money only a tool? Why is the only
alternative to money brute force? How have the principles discussed
by Francisco in this speech been dramatized by the events of the novel
so far? (410-5)

* Why does Francisco want Rearden to see the panic of the looters?
Why are they so panicked? Is it merely the financial loss or
something deeper? (421-2)

* What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

*** Chapter 3: White Blackmail (A) ***

* Why does Hank ask Dagny now about her prior lover? Why does that
show that he has never accepted Dagny's sexual desire for him? (426-7)

* Why did Lillian suspect Hank of having an affair? Why is she
certain that his mistress must be a low person? What does that reveal
about her? Why doesn't she ask him to give up the affair? Why won't
she grant him a divorce? Why does she want to make him feel guilty?
What kind of man does she wish to make him? (428-32)

* What is Dr. Ferris' manner of dealing with Rearden? What kind of
agreement is Ferris hoping to reach with Rearden? What does Rearden
learn in his conversation with Ferris? (432-7)

The Real Goal of the Green Climate Crusade - A speech by Dr. Keith Lockitch

Come see Dr. Keith Lockitch of the Ayn Rand center give a speech on what the green climate crusade is really about.

When: Wednesday November 18th 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Tivoli (room 250) Turnhale on the Auraria Campus; Denver Colorado

Tivoli Student Union 900 Auraria Parkway Denver, CO 80204 303-534-2003

click HERE for a website to help you find parking and any other information on how to get
to the Tivoli.

And click HERE for s a link showing exactly which room the event will be held in, and it includes a virtual tour.

Go HERE for the facebook event page.


The Real Goal of the Green Climate Crusade

Environmentalists claim that our use of carbon-based energy is altering the climate, making us more vulnerable to climate disasters. Human survival, they insist, requires the immediate abandonment of fossil fuels in favor of carbon-free sources. So why do environmentalist groups vehemently oppose projects involving every alternative form of energy ever proposed to replace fossil fuels—including wind farms and solar power plants? And why do they ignore the dramatic degree to which industrial development under capitalism has reduced the risk of harm from severe climate events? Before we rush headlong into drastic climate policies and energy rationing, a critical examination of these policies is urgently needed. Dr. Keith Lockitch will address these important issues and answer audience questions.

Next Meeting: Tuesday October 20th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Here are the questions for this next week's meeting, remember we are now meeting from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, we are still meeting in the Arts Building room AR298.


Session 6: October 20, 2009: Pages 309 - 378
*Part 1: Chapter 10: Wyatt's Torch (B)
*Part 2: Chapter 1: The Man Who Belgonged on Earth

Chapter 10: Wyatt's Torch (B)
* What do we discover about Eugene Lawson in the course of his conversation with Dagny Taggart? What did he seek and gain from the needy people to whom he granted loans, if not wealth? (309-13)

* What is the fundamental moral difference between Lee Hunsacker and Midas Mulligan? (313-21)

* What was the basic scheme for the Twentieth Century Motor Company implemented by the Starnes heirs? Why does Dagny think that it is pure evil? (323)

* What is the Fair Share Law? What is its basic premise? Why was it passed? (333) How will it kill Colorado?

Chapter 1: The Man Who Belonged on Earth

* Why won't Stadler publicly denounce the book or demand its retraction? What does that indicate about him? Is it worse than what he permitted to happen with Rearden Metal? (348)

* What is the effect of the Fair Share Law on Taggart Transcontinental? Why is Taggart Transcontinental making more money than ever? What is Jim's response? (352)

* Why does Dagny feel greater revulsion at Dr. Stadler than Jim or Orren Boyle? (353) Is he worse than the others? Why of why not?

* Why does Rearden refuse to sell any Rearden Metal to the State Science Institute? (360, 365-6)

* What kind of change have we seen in Hank's view of and relationship with Dagny? (367-8) Why does Dagny think that she can help Hank win his deliverance from guilt, but that she cannot do so by words? (367)

Next Meeting: Tuesday October 13th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Here are the questions for this next week's meeting, remember we are now meeting from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, we are still meeting in the Arts Building room AR298.

Also remember that the pages here are using the 35th anniversary edition of Atlas Shrugged.
Just keep in mind we are going from Chapter 9 in Part 1 to half way into chapter 10 "Wyatt's Toarch"

Session 5: October 13, 2009: Pages 253 - 309
*Part 1: Chapter 9: The Sacred and the Profane
*Part 1: Chapter 10: Wyatt's Torch (A)

Chapter 9: The Sacred and the Profane

* Why does Hank say what he says to Dagny the morning after their first sexual encounter? Why does Dagny's reaction change as she listens to him? Why does she say what she says in response? (254-6)

* What kind of person is Cherryl Brooks? How and why does Cherryl misunderstand Jim Taggart's character? What does she think of what he says? Why doesn't she see the truth about him? (257-67)

* What does Mr. Mowen reveal about his character in conversation with the worker (Owen Kellogg)? Has he changed since we first met him—and if so, in what way? (270-3)

* Why does Hank presume that his invitation to speak at the National Council of Metal Industries is a peace offering? (275) How is he wrong? Why does Dagny think him (too) generous? (274-6)

* Why does Hank want Dagny to go on a vacation with him? Why does he want her to wear the bracelet of Rearden Metal? How has his attitude changed since their first night together? Why would anyone guessing their affair be worse for him than for her? (278-9)

* While driving on vacation, why do Dagny and Hank long to see a billboard, rather than just untouched nature? What does that billboard (and the people who despise billboards) represent to them? (280)

* Why is Dagny so excited to discover the motor? What disturbs Hank about the discovery? What is the importance of the creation of the motor and the significance of it being abandoned? (287-90)

* What is the significance of the title of this chaper:

Chapter 10: Wyatt's Torch (A)

* What kind of person is Mayor Bascom of Rome? (294-8)

* How has Dagny protected Jim from the consequences of his Anti-dog- eat-dog Rule? Did she see that so clearly at the time? Why does she feel a chill on thinking that self-interest is not Jim's motive? What is the alternative? (300)

* Why does Rearden's purchasing manager say that a person is either good at the mills or in Washington? What does he mean? What are the two different skill sets? Why are they incompatible? How have we seen that dramatized in earlier chapters? (303)

* What does Lillian reveal about herself and her values in her conversation with Rearden? How does Rearden give Lillian more credit than she deserves? What does she deserve? What are her motives? (304-9)

Next Meeting: Tuesday October 6th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Here are the questions for this next week's meeting, remember we are now meeting from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, we are still meeting in the Arts Building room AR298.

Session 4: October 6, 2009: Pages 185 - 252
*Part 1: Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited (B)
*Part 1: Chapter 8: The John Galt Line


Chapter Seven: The Exploiters and the Exploited (B)

Section 5: 185-92 * What is Dr. Stadler's basic modus operandi? What motivates him to act as he does? How does he view other people?

Section 6: 192-7 * Why does Dagny choose to take on the burden of completing the Rio Norte Line alone? What are the basic terms of the deal she offers Jim? Is the deal just or not? (193-5)

Section 7: 201-5 * What does Rearden reveal about his feelings for Dagny when she suggests that he has only ever thought of her as a man? Why does Dagny think that of him? Why does Hank think of his feelings for Dagny as a betrayal of her? (204-5)

Section 8: 205-216 * What is the basic moral difference between the request of Mrs. Rearden and the request of Mr. Ward to Hank Rearden? Why does Hank refuse the former yet work hard to satisfy the latter? (206-213) *

What is Rearden's response the passage of the Equalization of Opportunity Bill? Why does he react as he does? What does that show about his values? (212-6)

General: * What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter Eight: The John Galt Line

Section 1: 217-8 * Why does Eddie feel like a stooge for Jim Taggart? In what way is that feeling right? (218)

Section 2: 219-21 * What does Dagny's longing for "a consciousness like her own" reveal about her romantic ideal? Why doesn't Francisco or Hank satisfy that longing? (220)

Section 2: 221-7 * How does Rearden's sale of his ore mines to Paul Larkin differ from his sale of his coal mines to Ken Dannager? What do these transactions reveal about each man? (221-4)

Section 3: 227-33 * What kind of game is the delegate of the Union of Locomotive Engineers attempting to play with Dagny? How does she block it? (231-2)

Section 4: 233-6 * What does Rearden's claim that he will earn enormous profits yet benefit the public with his metal reveal about his view of harmony of interests? (235)

Section 5: 236-9 * How is the opening of the John Galt Line a true celebration for Dagny -- unlike her debut ball as a young woman? (236-9)

Section 6: 239-242 * Why do many people come to witness the first run of the John Galt Line? What does it mean to them? (242-3)

* What permits Hank Rearden to express his desire for Dagny? Why is their sex so violent? (250-2)

* What is Dagny's motivation for the affair with Hank? Why do Dagny and Hank feel such an intense desire for each other? (251)

General: * What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Next Meeting: September 29th from 6:00pm - 7:30

In this next meeting we will be covering: Pages 127 - 185
*Part 1: Chapter 6: The Non-Commercial
*Part 1: Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited (A)

As usual we will be meeting in the Arts Building room AR298
Feel free to e-mail me any questions or ideas at johngalt.ucd@gmail.com

Here are some discussion questions we will be using:

Chapter 6: The Non-Commercial

Section 1 (127-57) * What is the Equalization of Opportunity Bill? What is its analog in today's laws? Why is it so unjust? Why can't Rearden take it seriously? (130)

* What kind of philosophy does Dr. Prichett espouse? How do his comments about the nature of man and about standards relate to his support for the Equalization of Opportunity Bill? (131-3)

* Why is Dagny disappointed with Hank's response to her at the party? Why does he respond the way that he does? (137-8, 149-51)

* Why is Rearden so angry at the presence of Bertram Scudder? Why does Lillian respond the way that she does to his anger? Why did she invite Scudder? (139)

* Why does Rearden actively hate Francisco D'Anconia, whereas he cannot think much about Bertram Scudder? (140)

* How does Francisco explain the failure of the San Sebastián Mines to Jim? What kind of moral principles did Francisco adhere to in building the mine? (143)

* How does Hank Rearden reveal his view of the world in his conversation with Francisco D'Anconia? What is the difference in their basic outlooks? Why does Francisco warn Hank against the sin of forgiveness? (145-9)

* Why does Dagny want the bracelet of Readen Metal from Lillian? Why does Lillian trade it with her? Why does Hank respond the way that he does? (155-7)

Section 2 (157-61)

* What is Lillian's view of sex? Why does it torture Hank? Is he right or wrong to accept that torture? (158-60)

* Why does Hank now find it impossible to have sex with Lillian? What has changed for him? (160)

General: * What is the significance of the title of this chapter?


Chapter Seven: The Exploiters and the Exploited (A)

Section 1: 162-72
* How are the interests of all the producers in harmony, even though competitors? Why do they help each other? (163, 165-6, 168-9)

Section 2: 172-8
* What do Jim Taggart and Dagny Taggart focus on in their car ride to the New York Business Council? What does that tell us about their ideas and values? (172-5)

* Why does Dagny refuse to debate the question "Is Rearden Metal a lethal product of greed?" )175)

Section 3: 178-82
* What is the fundamental difference in manner between Hank Rearden and Dr. Potter of the State Science Institute? How is Dr. Potter like James Taggart? Why does Rearden refuse to sell Rearden Metal? (178-82)

Section 4: 182-5
* Why is the State Science Institute's statement on Rearden Metal so unjust? If Rearden Metal is good, why can't the statement be refuted? (183-5)

Next Meeting: September 22nd from 6:00pm - 7:30

On Tuesday we will be coversing Part 1 chapters 4 and 5 (pages 64 -126)
Go here to read the full schedule:
http://aurariacampusobjectivists.blogspot.com/search/label/Atlas%20Shrugged%20Reading%20Group%20schedule%20and%20details

Don't forget we are now in the Arts Building in room AR298, here is the link to our directions:
Here are a few of the discussion questions we will be going over:
http://aurariacampusobjectivists.blogspot.com/2009/08/weekly-discussion-group-meetings.html

Chapter 4: Immovable Movers

*Why would Mcnamara quit when he has everything going for him?

*What is revealed about Jim & Betty’s character the morning after they sleep together? What moves Jim?

*What is the purpose of the National Alliance of Railroads? Anti dog-eat-dog?

* What does Jim's reaction to the San Sebastián nationalization tell us about his character? Is Dagny right to think that Jim can only draw one conclusion from the debacle? Has she defeated Jim?

* Why does Dagny Taggart want Dan Conway to fight the Anti-Dog-Eat-Dog Rule? At what point does she realize that her attempt is futile? Why? What has actually defeated him?

* How does the conversation between Hank and Dagny differ from the earlier meeting between Jim, Orren, et al?

* What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter 5: The Climax of the D'Anconias

*What could Jim’s “New Weapon” be?

* What does Francisco mean when he says that the only real aristocracy is the aristocracy of money? Is he right?

* How did Francisco manage to swindle Jim and his friends? How did that amount to tearing the lid off of hell?

* What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

If you have any questions regarding the ASRG make sure you sign up for our google group here: http://groups.google.com/group/ucd-objectivist?hl=en

Also, if you are interested in learning more about objectivism in a seperate meeting (tuesday 7:30-9:00pm) e-mail me at johngalt.ucd@gmail.com

Next Meeting: September 15th from 6:00pm - 7:30

This will be the first Atlas Shrugged Reading Group discussion. We will discuss the first three chapters: Session 1: September 15th 2009: pages 1-63*Part 1: Chapter 1: The Theme*Part 1: Chapter 2: The Chain*Part 1: Chapter 3: The Top and the Bottom

Don't forget to look at the new directions, we are now in the Arts Building room AR298
here is a link to the page with directions: http://aurariacampusobjectivists.blogspot.com/2009/08/weekly-discussion-group-meetings.html

Here are some of the questions we will be going over in our discussion group:

Chapter 1: The Theme

* What is the state of the world in the opening scenes of Atlas? How does AR convey that? How is the world of Atlas similar to and different from the world of today?

* What does Jim Taggart reveal about his character in his conversation with Dagny about ordering rail from Hank Rearden? Why does he dislike Rearden so much? What are his worries about Rearden Metal? Are those right?

* What is Dagny's attitude toward's Jim's hatred of Rearden? What does that indicate about her character?

* What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter 2: The Chain

* Why does Rearden reject the idea of anyone else giving him the spark necessary to continue his work? How does that contrast with Eddie Willers?

* When Hank returns home after pouring his first heat of Rearden Metal, what does he want from his family? What does he get instead? Why? What is his response?

* Does Hank have an obligation to support his family? Does he owe them any affection or attention? Why or why not?

* What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter 3: The Top and the Bottom

* Orren Boyle claims to be a defender free markets (45)? Is that right? Is the only justification for private property the public interest, as he claims? How is he like some businessmen today?

* What do Jim and others gain by claiming the mantle of public good? Is it just material wealth — or something more? Why do they proclaim the necessity of sacrifice of some people to others (47-48)?

* What is Dagny's experience in her rise to her present position? What were the obstacles in her path? Why was she so frustrated by the experience? What does she want from her fellow men? Why?

* What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Next Meeting: September 8th from 6:00 - 7:30PM

In the next meeting we will be discussing Ayn Rand's Speech to the graduates of West Point entitled: Philosophy: Who Needs it?

Many people think of philosophy as a study solely in the purview of intellectuals who wear robes and sit in ivory towers—as superfluous to the everyday life of most men. Is this true? In this meeting we will discuss whether you need philosophy and whether it can benefit your life, regardless of whether you plan to be an academic or a salesman.

Having established why we all need philosophy, we will briefly discuss Ayn Rand’s own philosophy, Objectivism, which she presented as a “philosophy for living a good life.”

“A philosophic system is an integrated view of existence. As a human being, you have no choice about the fact that you need a philosophy. Your only choice is whether you define your philosophy by a conscious, rational, disciplined process of thought and scrupulously logical deliberation—or let your subconscious accumulate a junk heap of unwarranted conclusions, false generalizations, undefined contradictions, undigested slogans, unidentified wishes, doubts and fears, thrown together by chance, but integrated by your subconscious into a kind of mongrel philosophy and fused into a single, solid weight: self-doubt, like a ball and chain in the place where your mind's wings should have grown.”
—Ayn Rand , “Philosophy: Who Needs It.”

Materials to be Discussed:

1) Philosophy: Who Needs it?

*Full text of the Essay is online here: http://gos.sbc.edu/r/rand.html

*Or listen to it online here: http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reg_ar_pwni

2) Introducing Objectivism

*Text found here: http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_intro

*Audio found here: http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reg_ar_introducing

FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE MEETING JOIN OUR GOOGLE GROUP HERE

Atlas Shrugged Reading Group schedule and details

The Auraria Campus Objectivists hold weekly Atlas Shrugged discussion groups on the Auraria campus every tuesday from 6:00-7:30pm. For more information regarding directions go HERE.


WHY READ ATLAS SHRUGGED?

As millions of readers have discovered, Atlas Shrugged is precisely the kind of novel you cannot put down.

Atlas Shrugged sweeps the reader into its own world of larger-than-life characters—including the productive genius who becomes a worthless playboy and the great industrialist who doesn’t know that he is working for his own destruction. The story is a mystery about a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world—and did. Society disintegrates, food shortages spark riots, factories shutdown by the hundreds. Is this man a vicious destroyer—or the greatest of liberators? What is the motor of the world? What is required to restart it?

The parrallels of the book to the world of America today are astounding, and have led to record breaking sales for Atlas Shrugged since it's debut in 1957

There is also a scholarship for an essay contest of winnings up to $10,000 for this book!

JOIN THE DENVER ATLAS SHRUGGED READING GROUP LIST

The specific room will be announced at the outset of every week, and so you must be on the google group's mailing list. We will meet in the Tivoli Student Union on the Auraria Campus. To become a member of the google group click HERE or e-mail johngalt.ucd@gmail.com and request to be placed in the group.


MEMBERSHIP STANDARDS AND RULES

Participants can be anyone with a serious interest in reading the book and discussing with others. It is not necessary to have read the book before, but it does help if you have read it.

There will be certain rules discussed at the beginning of each meeting. Namely, no one will be allowed to interupt others, one person talking at a time. And we will not tolerate any ad hominem attacks on group members. These talks must be kept curteous and respectful or the infringing person shall be asked to leave. We wish to openly and safely discuss Atlas Shrugged, and bad behavior will not be tolerated.

SCHEDULE OF READINGS

The following schedule is using the 25th Anniversary Edition of Atlas Shrugged

Session 1: September 15th 2009: pages 1-63
*Part 1: Chapter 1: The Theme
*Part 1: Chapter 2: The Chain
*Part 1: Chapter 3: The Top and the Bottom

Session 2: September 22, 2009: Pages 64 - 126
*Part 1: Chapter 4: The Immovable Movers
*Part 1: Chapter 5: The Climax of the D'Anconias

Session 3: September 29, 2009: Pages 127 - 185
*Part 1: Chapter 6: The Non-Commercial
*Part 1: Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited (A)

Session 4: October 6, 2009: Pages 185 - 252
*Part 1: Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited (B)
*Part 1: Chapter 8: The John Galt Line

Session 5: October 13, 2009: Pages 253 - 309
*Part 1: Chapter 9: The Sacred and the Profane
*Part 1: Chapter 10: Wyatt's Torch (A)

Session 6: October 20, 2009: Pages 309 - 378
*Part 1: Chapter 10: Wyatt's Torch (B)
*Part 2: Chapter 1: The Man Who Belgonged on Earth

Session 7: October 27, 2009: Pages 379 - 438
*Part 2: Chapter 2: The Aristocracy of Pull
*Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail (A)

Session 8: November 3, 2009: Pages 438 - 495
*Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail (B)
*Part 2: Chapter 4: The Sanction of the Victim

Session 9: November 10, 2009: Pages 496 - 566
*Part 2: Chapter 5: Account Overdrawn
*Part 2: Chapter 6: Miracle Metal

Session 10: November 17, 2009: Pages 567 - 632
*Part 2: Chapter 7: The Moratorium on Brains
*Part 2: Chapter 8: By Our Love

November 24, 2009 - January 26, 2010: Winter Break

Session 11: February 2, 2010: Pages 633 - 697
*Part 2: Chapter 9: The Face without Pain or Fear or Guilt
*Part 2: Chapter 10: The Sign of The Dollar

Session 12: February 9, 2010: Pages 699 - 751
*Part 3: Chapter 1: Atlantis

Session 13: February 16, 2010: Pages 752 - 815
*Part 3: Chapter 2: The Utopia of Greed

Session 14: February 23, 2010: Pages 816 - 863
*Part 3: Chapter 3: Anti-Greed

Session 15: March 2, 2010: Pages 864 - 936
*Part 3: Chapter 4: Anti-Life
*Part 3: Chapter 5: Their Brothers Keeper (A)

Session 16: March 9, 2010: pages 936 - 999
*Part 3: Chapter 5: Their Brothers Keeper (B)
*Part 3: Chapter 6: The Concerto of Deliverance

Session 17: March 16, 2010: Pages 1000-1069
*Part 3: Chapter 7: This is John Galt Speaking (A)

March 23, 2010: Spring Break

Session 18: March 30, 2010: Pages 1000 - 1069
*Part 3: Chapter 7: This is John galt Speaking (B)

Session 19: April 6, 2010: pages 1070 - 1125
*Part 3: Chapter 8: The Egoist

Session 20: April 13, 2010: Pages 1126 - 1168
*Part 3: Chapter 9: The Generator
*Part 3: Chapter 10: In the Name of the Best Within Us

Craig Biddle Talk on Auraria Campus: "Capitalism: The only Moral Social System

Come see Craig Biddle speak at the Auraria Campus about Capitalism and it's moral importance.



THE TALK:

Capitalism: The Only Moral Social System



Capitalism is widely recognized as the practical social system because, wherever and to the extent that it is implemented, it leads to wealth and prosperity. But this same system is widely regarded as immoral because it enables people to act fully in their own self-interest, that is, to act on their own judgment and to keep, use, and dispose of the product of their own effort. This talk demonstrates why, far from making capitalism immoral, the fact that it enables everyone to act selfishly and own property is what makes it not only the most practical but also the only moral social system ever devised

Craig Biddle is an Ayn Rand Intellectual and Editor of The Objective Standard
Find out more about him on his website: craigbiddle.com

WHEN: September 21st from 7:00PM - 9:00PM

WHERE: Tivoli (room 250) Turnhale on the Auraria Campus

Tivoli Student Union 900 Auraria Parkway Denver, CO 80204 303-534-2003

Here is a website to help you find parking and any other information on how to get to the Tivoli: http://www.ahec.edu/parking/index.htm

And this is a link showing exactly which room the event will be held in, and it includes a virtual tour: http://www.tivoli.org/eventservices/turnhalle.html

Next Meeting: September 1st from 6:00PM - 7:30PM

Come join us for a viewing of Dr. Onkar Ghate's speech on "Atlas Shrugged" entitled: "Atlas Shrugged - America's Second Declaration of Independence." With a discussion to follow. (See below for description of the speech)

"In 1776 Thomas Jefferson announced to the world America's plans for independence. For the first time in history, there was to be a nation and a government dedicated to the individual's rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But from inception, and from both within and without, the ideals of the new nation were under attack.

Without a full justification of an individual's moral right to pursue his own life and happiness - not serve his neighbors, God or country - the nation was vulnerable, and its founding principles were slowly chipped away. In 1957 the missing justification came with the publication of "Atlas Shrugged." On this, the book's 50th anniversary, Dr. Onkar Ghate, Senior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI), examines the moral revolution launched by Ayn Rand, without which the political revolution of the Founding Fathers had to remain incomplete. He shows what this moral revolution has meant for America so far, and what it promises for the future. Dr. Ghate show why "Atlas Shrugged" should be considered America's second Declaration of Independence - a declaration not of political but of moral independence."

Weekly Discussion Group Meetings (Directions)

We meet every Monday from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on campus

The Meetings will be announced weekly on our google group, join HERE.

We will be meeting in Building 1020 which is in 9th street park by Einsteins. on THIS map we are in the 9th street historic park number 26.


If you have any questions on how to get to the room e-mail me at johngalt.ucd@gmail.com