This course will answer the following questions. What is philosophy? Why and how is it relevant to my life?This is the topic that Ayn Rand takes up in her address to the graduating class of the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1974. Rand challenges the idea that philosophy belongs only in the ivory tower. Instead she argues that, whether we realize it or not, we all hold and act on philosophic ideas and that philosophy is a crucial, practical need of human life.
This course is an adaptation of Rand’s 1974 speech (later reprinted in her book Philosophy: Who Needs It). Come hear Rand enlighten and entertain the West Point cadets (laughter can be heard at various points in the audio) and discuss the life-and-death importance of the subject of philosophy.
This course is a great starting point for those new to philosophy and to Rand’s ideas.