This week we will focus on a vital issue surrounding individual rights, the incompatibility of altruism and economic freedom. We may see that for centuries and up to the present, libertys defenders (and alleged defenders) have mistaken altruism for a virtue, and tried to marry it to the idea of laissez-faire. We will look at examples like Thomas Jeffersons admiration for the Sermon on the Mount, as well as Gover Clevelands call to subdue the selfishness of human nature, and to stimulate its noblest aspirations and best purposes from a speech conspicuously titled The Self-Made Man in American Life. Furthermore, we will discuss fundamental issues, including: * The philosophical roots of this contradiction (most poignant in the German philosopher Hegel, echoed in FA Hayek and JS Mill) * What altruism and benevolence are, and why the two are incompatible (for instance, a striking look at Obamacares penalization of charity hospitals) * What is human nature? Why is defining it so crucial in todays intellectual atmosphere, and why does it justify self-interest as well as Capitalism? We hope to bring as many members as possible from College Republicans, Young Americans for Liberty, and the Federalist Society, since this issue has major implications for the defenders of liberty in America. Please forward this invitation to the other members of your organization--we look forward to seeing you there! This meeting will be Friday, Nov. 15 at 5:30 pm in the Fifth Quarter Studio (2nd floor) Union South. If you or your organization have any questions, feel free to send a message to this page.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 20:31:42 +0000
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