Ayn Rand Institute | Was Ayn Rand a Jewish Thinker? @AynRandInstitute | Uploaded September 2024 | Updated October 2024, 1 week ago.
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Harry Binswanger analyze Alexandra Popoff’s new biography, Ayn Rand: Writing a Gospel of Success, particularly its portrayal of Rand as a “Jewish thinker.” They address the false attempt to link Rand’s “ethnicity” to her philosophy.
Among the topics covered:
● The determinism of labeling Rand as “influenced” by her ancestry vs. the central role of choice in her thought and life;
● The irrelevant evidence offered for Rand’s “ethnic” identity;
● Spurious evidence of Rand’s reaction to Soviet injustices in her political thinking;
● Why Rand’s novels put plot first and were not merely a vehicle for ideas;
● How The Fountainhead is Rand’s rejection of Nietzsche’s ideas;
● How Popoff’s book fails to engage with Rand’s rejection of the tribalism central to the concept “ethnicity”;
● Why Ayn Rand called herself a Jew in response to Antisemitism;
● How Popoff’s book rehashes the same errors of older flawed biographies.
Mentioned in this podcast are Ayn Rand’s essay “What Is Capitalism?” (courses.aynrand.org/works/what-is-capitalism/) and her lecture “Global Balkanization.” (ari.aynrand.org/issues/culture-and-society/education-and-multiculturalism/global-balkanization/)
The podcast was broadcast on September 6, 2024.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:08 Rand’s ancestry vs. the role of choice in her life
0:12:50 Irrelevant evidence for Rand’s “ethnic” identity
0:20:40 Rand’s reaction to Soviet injustices in her thinking
0:27:40 Rand’s novels as putting plot first
0:35:45 The Fountainhead’s as a rejection of Nietzsche’s ideas
0:40:12 Popoff’s book and Rand’s rejection of tribalism
0:45:46 Ayn Rand calling herself a Jew in response to Antisemitism
0:51:46 Popoff’s book rehashing the same old errors
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 University 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
******
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Follow ARI on Twitter: twitter.com/AynRandInst
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Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
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
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 New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Harry Binswanger analyze Alexandra Popoff’s new biography, Ayn Rand: Writing a Gospel of Success, particularly its portrayal of Rand as a “Jewish thinker.” They address the false attempt to link Rand’s “ethnicity” to her philosophy.
Among the topics covered:
● The determinism of labeling Rand as “influenced” by her ancestry vs. the central role of choice in her thought and life;
● The irrelevant evidence offered for Rand’s “ethnic” identity;
● Spurious evidence of Rand’s reaction to Soviet injustices in her political thinking;
● Why Rand’s novels put plot first and were not merely a vehicle for ideas;
● How The Fountainhead is Rand’s rejection of Nietzsche’s ideas;
● How Popoff’s book fails to engage with Rand’s rejection of the tribalism central to the concept “ethnicity”;
● Why Ayn Rand called herself a Jew in response to Antisemitism;
● How Popoff’s book rehashes the same errors of older flawed biographies.
Mentioned in this podcast are Ayn Rand’s essay “What Is Capitalism?” (courses.aynrand.org/works/what-is-capitalism/) and her lecture “Global Balkanization.” (ari.aynrand.org/issues/culture-and-society/education-and-multiculturalism/global-balkanization/)
The podcast was broadcast on September 6, 2024.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:08 Rand’s ancestry vs. the role of choice in her life
0:12:50 Irrelevant evidence for Rand’s “ethnic” identity
0:20:40 Rand’s reaction to Soviet injustices in her thinking
0:27:40 Rand’s novels as putting plot first
0:35:45 The Fountainhead’s as a rejection of Nietzsche’s ideas
0:40:12 Popoff’s book and Rand’s rejection of tribalism
0:45:46 Ayn Rand calling herself a Jew in response to Antisemitism
0:51:46 Popoff’s book rehashing the same old errors
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 University 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
******
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
******
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
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
