Lecture 1: What is Philosophy | The Basic Principles of Objectivism | Nathaniel Branden

Classic audio program by Ayn Rand's close associate Nathaniel Branden (1930 - 2014)

Lecture 1. The Role of Philosophy. What is philosophy?--The historical role of reason--The bankruptcy of today's culture--Objectivism--Objectivism vs. subjectivism.

(Text below based on original marketing materials accompanying record albums of the lectures.)

ABOUT "THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF OBJECTIVISM" (a 20-lecture program)

For ten years--from 1958 to 1968-- Branden's lectures on "Basic Principles of Objectivism" were given at Nathaniel Branden Institute in New York City and, via tape transcription, to groups in over eighty cities throughout the United States and abroad. More than 35,000 students attended these lectures.

"Basic Principles of Objectivism" is a detailed, systematic exposition of the philosophy defined by Ayn Rand and introduced in her novels, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. The lectures are devoted to a presentation of Miss Rand's philosophy--and to Mr. Branden's application of objectivism to his own field, psychology. Special emphasis is given to the concepts of human nature, mental health and personal development.

In 1968, Mr. Branden closed NBI to devote his full time to the further development of his psychological system: Biocentric Psychology. He then moved to Los Angeles where, in addition to teaching and research activities, he engaged in the practice of personal and vocational counseling.

With the exception of Lecture Six, which is given by Barbara Branden (lecturer, writer and formerly Administrative Director of NBI), all of these lectures are delivered by Nathaniel Branden. Some have been revised and re-recorded, but the course is the same as the lectures originally presented by NBI.

[kerryoquinn]

Every human on the planet Earth needs to hear this lecture of fundamental knowledge.

[TheAtlasSociety]

We will be posting transcripts on our site by the end of June. I'll come here and post updates on that. Thanks for the interest, everyone.

[MelissaR]

I'm blown away at this. Be sharing it everywhere.

[brinham]

Wow. I've never heard this before, and it's simply magnificent. Far more accessible, engrossing, nuanced--and far less druidic and repetitive--than Leonard Peikoff's analogous course. Please keep uploading this lectures. Thank you.

[tomburroughes]

When you consider how much attention is given to a half-good, half-awful speaker such as Jordan Peterson today, it is good to listen to a magnificently lucid and sharp talk from the late Dr Branden.

[YashArya]

1:30 Summary statement of Objectivism (conclusions only, without reasoning)

6:30 The Purpose and Branches of Philosophy
How are questions of philosophy interrelated?
13:45 brilliant example of taking an argument regarding Aesthetics and reducing it back to an issue of Metaphysics.

But why should I care about philosophy at all?
17:50 example of someone who never acquired an interest in Philosophy.
21:55 Just as individual, whole societies can be ruined by irrational philosophies.

[MrJm]

People ask about "transcripts" of these lectures. Of course you can buy this in book form: "The Vision of Ayn Rand" which Branden published a few years before his death.

[ferminolivera]

The content of these lectures are inspiring and relevant. I have been changing and this will support my journey for the better.

[solsticemoon]

These lectures are invaluable, thank you for uploading them.

[JamesDStarr]

Truth is alive, else it dies and becomes a fact; therefore, truth is the journey, not the destination. It is raining, look again and it has stopped. Truth is a living and breathing effort in a reality of constant changes. There is, a most important "2" letter word, in all sciences and studies of reality; and, it is the word: IF.

[memphis]

So valuable.. Thanks a lot for sharing these lectures.

[jaymartinson]

Where can I find the remaining lectures??

[stalenilsen]

Are you posting the next lectures soon? I really enjoy listening to Branden!

[bharatgupta]

Can I get whole lecture in kind of book format ???

[jojo]

I need clarification on what his definition of mysticism is because it doesn't match up with mine.

[JamesDStarr]

Truth "Objective Reality" is seldom-ever what one desires; rather, only where and when it is true. Therefore, truth is a relative state of being, like a pair of legs (one of truth and the other of love) that walk upon a real path of growth. The moment the journey upon that path stops, so then truth, not alone, love. It is liken to the revolutions of breathing, in and out; and, the moment the breathing is too fast or too little, we then begin to suffer, and if prolonged, die, literally and figuratively. Stay alive my friends.

[jxr]

where can I find the remaining lectures?

[science]

Carnap, Mach, Quine, etc.
All of them not for reason.

[shannonwhitt]

Is this Nathaniel Branden actually talking?

[norwegian]

The basic principle of "objectivism" is socialdarwinism!!