Spring Schedule of Topics

Do you want to learn about Ayn Rand's (the author of Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead) philosophy of art? If so join the Auraria Campus Objectivist club every two weeks to discuss some of her essays on esthetics. (The Spring schedule is at the bottom)

DIRECTIONS: The Auraria Campus Objectivist Club will meet every other Monday from 6pm-8pm on the Auraria Campus. We will be meeting in building 1020 on the 9th street historic park, click HERE for directions.

Every other week we will be covering different selections of Ayn Rand's non-fiction regarding her philosophy of art. If you are interested in discussing the esthetics behind her literature feel free to join us any time. There are no obligations, and you can come and go as you please!

THE BOOK: If you plan on attending there is one book you will need to purchase. The book is called "The Romantic Manifesto." It contains a series of Ayn Rand's essays on esthetics. You can find it for around $6 at any Borders or Barnes and Noble, and most other bookstores. You can also buy it on AMAZON for around $6.

Here is a description of the Book from the Ayn Rand Bookstore where you can also purchase the book:

In this profoundly original presentation of a rational esthetics, Miss Rand holds that the distinguishing characteristic of top rank Romantic writers ". . . (apart from their purely literary genius) is their full commitment to the premise of volition in both of its fundamental areas: in regard to consciousness and to existence, in regard to man's character and to his actions in the physical world. Maintaining a perfect integration of these two aspects, unmatched in the brilliant ingenuity of their plot structures, these writers are enormously concerned with man's soul (i.e., his consciousness).

"They are moralists in the most profound sense of the word; their concern is not merely with values, but specifically with moral values and with the power of moral values in shaping human character. Their characters are 'larger than life,' i.e., they are abstract projections in terms of essentials. In their stories, one will never find action for action's sake, unrelated to moral values."

"The events of their plots are shaped, determined and motivated by the characters' values (or treason to values), by their struggle in pursuit of spiritual goals and by profound value-conflicts."

"Their themes are fundamental, universal, timeless issues of man's existence—and they are the only consistent creators of the rarest attribute of literature: the perfect integration of theme and plot, which they achieve with superlative virtuosity."

"If philosophical significance is the criterion of what is to be taken seriously, then these are the most serious writers in world literature."

A profoundly original presentation of a rational esthetics.





If you have any questions in regards to the club, feel free to e-mail us at johngalt.ucd@gmail.com

Hope to see you at our next meeting!

SPRING SCHEDULE:

1. The Psycho-Epistemology of Art – January 31st.

2. Philosophy and Sense of Life - February 7th

3. Art and Sense of Life - February 21st

4. Art and Cognitioon - March 7th

5. Basic Principles of Literature - March 21st

6. What is Romanticism? - April 4th

7. The Esthetic Vacuum of Our Age - April 18th

8. Bootleg Romanticism - May 2nd

9. Art and Moral Treason - May 16th.

Next Meeting: Tuesday March 2nd from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

On Tuesday we will watch Dr. Yaron Brook (President of the Ayn Rand Institute) give a talk entitled: "Neoconservatives vs. America: A Critique of U.S. Foreign Policy Since 9/11." The talk is about one hour, and then we will discuss the talk for an hour.

See you all there!

Click HERE for directions to the meeting place.

Next Meeting: Tuesday February 23rd from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

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

Here are the questions:

*** Chapter 3: Anti-Greed ***
* What is so evil about Dr. Stadler's endorsement of Project X? What
knowledge does he have and what choices does he face during this
unveiling? Why does he choose as he does? What will be the effects
of his endorsement of Project X on his psychology? (816-31)

* What is so striking to Dagny on her return to the world? How does
the contrast of the valley make her see the world in a new light?
(831-3)

* What is the Railroad Unification Plan? How does it function? What
will be its effects? What does it show Dagny about the looters?
(840-3)

* How does Lillian attempt to blackmail Dagny into appearing on
Bertram Scudder's radio program? What does Lillian reveal about her
views and motives in the process? (847-50)

* What does Hank Rearden say to Dagny on her return to the apartment?
What is its meaning and importance? What has Rearden learned since
the night that their affair began? (856-61)

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

Next Meeting: Tuesday February 16th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

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

Here are the questions for next week.

*** Chapter 2: The Utopia of Greed ***

* What kind of lesson is Ragnar attempting to teach the world by his
piracy? Is he right to do so? Why do the other strikers disapprove?
(757-8)

* Why does Dagny want to earn her keep as Galt's cook and maid? What
does the work—and the wages in gold—mean to her? (760-1)

* Why is communication with the outside world from the valley
forbidden during the vacation month? Should Dagny have asked for a
special exception to tell Hank that she is safe? (763-4, 769)

* Why did Francisco go on strike? How was Dagny the final argument
for doing so, even though that meant giving her up? Are his reasons
selfish or selfless? (765-7)

* Why does Francisco accept Dagny's taking Hank as a lover? Why does
he say that she still loves him? In what way does she love him?
(767-8)

* Why and how will Francisco be richer producing one pound of copper
in the valley than in producing tons of copper in the outside world?
What does that say about the value of wealth? (771)

* How are Dagny's feelings for John Galt different from her feelings
for Francisco? Why is the difference important to her? (770)

* Why do Dagny and Galt feel such strong sexual desire for each other—
yet refrain from consummating it? Would it be wrong at this point—and
why? (775-81)

* How are Dr. Akston's three pupils—John, Ragnar, and Francisco—both
normal men and extraordinary? (786) What were the critical points
about their education? (786-90)

* How does Dr. Akston explain the roots of Dr. Stadler's moral decay?
What choices did Stadler face? Where did he choose wrongly? Why is
Stadler the most guilty? How has he made the world in his own image?
(789-91)

* Why must Dagny hear of ever collapse in the outside world if she
stays in the valley? Why would that be unendurable for her? Why does
Galt insist on that so openly? (794)

* Why does Francisco want Dagny to stay with him for the week? Why
does Dagny want Galt to decide? What is the significance of his
decision? What would have been the effects on Dagny, Galt, and
Francisco if Galt decided otherwise? How would that act of self-
sacrifice have been faking reality? (796-8)

* Why does Dagny choose to return to the world? What does she still
have left to learn? (806-7, 811-2)

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

Next Meeting: Tuesday February 9th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

We are now starting part 3!

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

Here are the questions:

*** Part 3: Chapter 1: Atlantis ***

What does Dagny see in John Galt on first meeting him? Is it possible
for a person to see that much in another on first meeting? (701-2)

What critical information about Galt does Dagny learn about him on
their way to his house and then at the house? (701-16)

Why does Mulligan's car rent for a rate? Why doesn't Mulligan allow
Galt to use it as a courtesy? (714)

Is it a degradation or a waste for these great industrialists to be
farmers and ordinary workers? Why does Dagny think so? Why don't
they agree? (716-27)

Why is Dagny suprised that Andrew Stockton ruined a competitor? What
does that tell us about the values of the valley? Why do the strikers
regard competition as a positive good? (724-5)

What is Galt's oath? What is its meaning and significance? (731)

What is the essential meaning of and motive for the strike? (738-41)

Why did each of the men at the dinner party go on strike? Were they
justified in doing so? What did each man give up? What did he gain?
How are their stories similar? (741-46)