Has selfishness been misunderstood? Is there a way of defending Ayn Rand’s egoism? Tara Smith confronts challenging questions about morality, individual rights, and the balance between personal and societal well-being. Read Smith’s book here: https://a.co/d/5r4HfXb [00:00] Introduction to Ayn Rand and Egoism [00:21] Challenging Common Perceptions of Self-Interest [02:40] Objective vs. Subjective Self-Interest [05:17] The Role of Rationality in Human Flourishing [11:02] Principles of Human Flourishing [14:33] The Practicality of Moral Theories [26:54] Case-by-Case Basis in Moral Decisions [31:05] Identifying Through Lines in Ethics [31:46] Context Sensitivity in Moral Principles [36:06] Altruism and Self-Interest [36:52] Martians, Sociopaths, and Moral Obligations [39:29] Species Needs and Moral Values [42:48] Health, Psychology, and Individual Needs [48:03] Freedom, Government, and Individual Rights [54:16] Evolutionary Psychology and Randian Theory [01:03:01] Conclusion and Final Thoughts