Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Ben Bayer and Agustina Vergara Cid take a wide-ranging look at abortion bans since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, examining their destructive effects on the lives and freedoms of women and medical professionals.
Among the topics covered:
● 0:00 - Introduction;
● 1:12 - Ayn Rand’s distinctive defense of abortion rights;
● 9:04 - How abortion bans have impaired women’s lives;
● 16:05 - How anti-abortion laws impose arbitrary constraints against sound medical judgment;
● 29:26 - The unfortunate rise of pregnancy-related prosecutions;
● 36:44 - How abortion restrictions jeopardize doctors' freedom and careers;
● 49:02 – Why signs of resistance show abortion bans can be reversed;
● 53:57 – Evidence that the anti-abortion movement is motivated by a dark anti-sex agenda.
Recommended in this podcast are the Ayn Rand Lexicon entry on abortion [aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/abortion.html], Bayer’s book “Why the Right to Abortion Is Sacrosanct,” [amazon.com/Why-Right-Abortion-Sacrosanct-Bayer-ebook/dp/B0DV9K175J/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0] and his article “The Dark Form of Control Even Anti-Abortion ‘Moderates’ Want.” [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/the-dark-form-of-control-even-anti]
The podcast was recorded on July 28, 2025 and posted on August 7, 2025. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here: newideal.aynrand.org/podcasts
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
******
Keep in Touch! Sign up to receive email updates from ARI: aynrand.org/signup
Follow ARI on Twitter: twitter.com/AynRandInst
Follow ARI on Facebook: facebook.com/AynRandInstitute
Follow ARI on Instagram: instagram.com/aynrandorg
Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Ben Bayer and Agustina Vergara Cid take a wide-ranging look at abortion bans since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, examining their destructive effects on the lives and freedoms of women and medical professionals.
Among the topics covered:
● 0:00 - Introduction;
● 1:12 - Ayn Rand’s distinctive defense of abortion rights;
● 9:04 - How abortion bans have impaired women’s lives;
● 16:05 - How anti-abortion laws impose arbitrary constraints against sound medical judgment;
● 29:26 - The unfortunate rise of pregnancy-related prosecutions;
● 36:44 - How abortion restrictions jeopardize doctors' freedom and careers;
● 49:02 – Why signs of resistance show abortion bans can be reversed;
● 53:57 – Evidence that the anti-abortion movement is motivated by a dark anti-sex agenda.
Recommended in this podcast are the Ayn Rand Lexicon entry on abortion [aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/abortion.html], Bayer’s book “Why the Right to Abortion Is Sacrosanct,” [amazon.com/Why-Right-Abortion-Sacrosanct-Bayer-ebook/dp/B0DV9K175J/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0] and his article “The Dark Form of Control Even Anti-Abortion ‘Moderates’ Want.” [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/the-dark-form-of-control-even-anti]
The podcast was recorded on July 28, 2025 and posted on August 7, 2025. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here: newideal.aynrand.org/podcasts
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
******
Keep in Touch! Sign up to receive email updates from ARI: aynrand.org/signup
Follow ARI on Twitter: twitter.com/AynRandInst
Follow ARI on Facebook: facebook.com/AynRandInstitute
Follow ARI on Instagram: instagram.com/aynrandorg
Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
