Ziemowit GowinAlthough philosophy can help combat evils of the world, Onkar Ghate argues that your primary orientation toward it should be positive, i.e., how to use it to improve your life. In his talk “Why We Need More Objectivists and Objectivist Intellectuals” at AynRandCon-Europe in Amsterdam, Ghate explained how Ayn Rand’s philosophy offers a positive way of life and a vision of making the world better — both for yourself and others.
In the talk, Ghate points out that Objectivist ideas show one how to take one’s life seriously, how to build a moral character, and how to achieve one’s values. We should want to share those ideas with others: we will each benefit from others’ virtues in a culture that fosters rationality. Think, for example, how we all benefit from the productivity of entrepreneurs.
But the core of any movement is its intellectuals: people who speak, write, and teach about ideas. Ghate discusses the example of the abolitionist movement. They understood the evil of slavery and fought against it. By openly advocating the equality of rights for every individual, they ultimately succeeded. Similarly, Objectivism needs intellectuals who will openly advocate its ideas if it is to succeed. That is why ARI offers educational programs like the Ayn Rand University.
What if you are not a professional intellectual? Ghate argues that you should still advocate the philosophy. As he explains, one way to do that is to live by these ideas, thereby setting an example. But it’s also important to be explicit about them like the abolitionists were. By being vocal and unapologetic about the philosophy’s positive role in your life, you help communicate the philosophy’s value.
During the Q&A session, Ghate addresses questions on the topics of whether we need an organized Objectivist movement and the role of Objectivism in business.
If you want to learn why it’s important to spread Objectivist ideas and why we need thousands of Objectivist intellectuals, watch the whole video.
Itamar Feldman
