During its fifty years of existence, Atlas Shrugged has been an influential book in the business community and Free Market promoters. Commonly, there is a negative stereotype about businessmen, because the profit motif is associated with greed, egoism, lies, and evil. The importance of this book is that it creates a positive and heroic view about businessmen. Business is a rational activity that creates value in society, the profit motif is an essential component for its success. Rand's moral defense of Capitalism is the pursue of happiness; reason, self interest and rational egoism are the components of individual happiness and the basis of survival.
Yaron Brook
Yaron Brook is the Executive President of the Ayn Rand Institute. He speaks at universities and corporations, promoting Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism and has been invited to radio and television shows for his expertise on the Middle East, foreign policy and economy. He holds a Master and a Doctorate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and he's former professor of Ethics and Finance in Santa Clara University.
Atlas Shrugged: Its Influence after fifty years Yaron Brook
Milton Friedman Auditorium Universidad Francisco Marroquín Guatemala, October 11th 2007
A New Media - UFM production. Guatemala, October 2007 Camera: Manuel Alvarez, Jorge Samayoa; digital editing: Adrián Méndez; index and synopsis: Christiaan Ketelaar; content reviser: Katty Schellenger; publication: Pedro David España
Content
Opening credits
Introduction
Influence of
Atlas Shrugged
Free Market movements
Impact on business community
The negative stereotype of business
Greed
Constant attacks against businessmen
Positive business view in
Atlas Shrugged
Consequences of the absence of profits in society
Mooney and happiness
Meaning of selfishness
Response to the Enron crisis
Common ethic
Celebration of the profit motif
Business as the creation of value
Standard of morality
Difference between liars and egoists
The self destructive cycle of lies
New view about self interest and egoism
The morality of Capitalism
Limitations of Adam Smith's theory
The dangers of public interest
Separation between Economics and State
Moral defense of Capitalism
Rational egoism
Human intelligence as the basis of survival
Business as a rational and intelligent activity
Conclusions
Questions
Is business the only activity that can provide self fulfillment?
What is your personal opinion about social responsibility? Do you think that companies need social responsibility policies?
Economic inefficiency of social responsibility
Doing business
Difference between sacrifice and trade
Why is selfishness the essence of morality?
The role of government: prevention of force
Can a religion be developed with Ayn Rand's principles?
Final credits
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