Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer discuss a recent essay by Steven Pinker and Marian Tupy (“The Golden Age of Humanity? We’re Living In It” [thefp.com/p/the-golden-age-of-humanity-were-living]) that aims to offer a secular alternative to the recent resurgence in religious culture.
• [0:00] Introduction
• [1:22] The Anti-Enlightenment Phenomenon
• [12:23] Pinker and Tupy’s secular strengths
• [22:32] A weak critique of Christian morality
• [30:07] Christian morality and antisemitism
• [36:41] Understanding the crisis of meaning
• [47:13] Unphilosophical moral foundations
• [59:08] Alternative, Pro-Enlightenment moral foundation
Resources:
• “The Objectivist Ethics,” Ayn Rand [courses.aynrand.org/works/the-objectivist-ethics/]
• “Finding Morality and Happiness Without God,” Onkar Ghate [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/finding-morality-and-happiness-without]
• “Debunking the Supernaturalism That Haunts Secular Ethics,” Ben Bayer [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/debunking-the-supernaturalism-that?utm_source=publication-search]
This episode was recorded on December 16, 2025.
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, Onkar Ghate and Ben Bayer discuss a recent essay by Steven Pinker and Marian Tupy (“The Golden Age of Humanity? We’re Living In It” [thefp.com/p/the-golden-age-of-humanity-were-living]) that aims to offer a secular alternative to the recent resurgence in religious culture.
• [0:00] Introduction
• [1:22] The Anti-Enlightenment Phenomenon
• [12:23] Pinker and Tupy’s secular strengths
• [22:32] A weak critique of Christian morality
• [30:07] Christian morality and antisemitism
• [36:41] Understanding the crisis of meaning
• [47:13] Unphilosophical moral foundations
• [59:08] Alternative, Pro-Enlightenment moral foundation
Resources:
• “The Objectivist Ethics,” Ayn Rand [courses.aynrand.org/works/the-objectivist-ethics/]
• “Finding Morality and Happiness Without God,” Onkar Ghate [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/finding-morality-and-happiness-without]
• “Debunking the Supernaturalism That Haunts Secular Ethics,” Ben Bayer [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/debunking-the-supernaturalism-that?utm_source=publication-search]
This episode was recorded on December 16, 2025.
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
