Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Critics of the Enlightenment point to the French Revolution and its descent into the Reign of Terror as an indictment of the Enlightenment ideals of reason and individual rights. Are they right? Did France’s revolutionaries fail because they were radical utopians who tore down tradition in the name of abstract principles? Did the American Revolution succeed because it was a “conservative” movement to protect traditional liberties? Or do the revolutions of the eighteenth century vindicate a radical commitment to Enlightenment values?
This talk was recorded live on July 5th in Boston, MA as part of the 2025 Objectivist Summer Conference and is available on the Ayn Rand Institute Podcast stream. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here: newideal.aynrand.org/podcasts
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Critics of the Enlightenment point to the French Revolution and its descent into the Reign of Terror as an indictment of the Enlightenment ideals of reason and individual rights. Are they right? Did France’s revolutionaries fail because they were radical utopians who tore down tradition in the name of abstract principles? Did the American Revolution succeed because it was a “conservative” movement to protect traditional liberties? Or do the revolutions of the eighteenth century vindicate a radical commitment to Enlightenment values?
This talk was recorded live on July 5th in Boston, MA as part of the 2025 Objectivist Summer Conference and is available on the Ayn Rand Institute Podcast stream. 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
