New Monograph Published in Objectivist Studies Series

Is Virtue Only a Means to Happiness? is the title of the latest Objectivist Studies monograph, now in print from The Objectivism Store. Oklahoma University philosophy professor and past summer seminar speaker Neera Badhwar contributes the title essay, arguing for happiness (or flourishing) as the ultimate end in ethics and for emotions as vital components of cognition and virtuous living. The volume includes extensive commentaries by TOC executive director David Kelley, Manhattan College psychology professor Jay Friedenberg, and University of Wisconsin philosophy professor Lester Hunt, assessing and challenging Badhwar's theses. The volume concludes with a rejoinder from the author. The contributors debate the proper foundation of ethics, the relationship between virtuous behavior and happiness, and the relationship between emotional judgments and reason, enriching the current understanding of these issues by drawing on new research and testing new ideas.

Objectivist Studies is TOC's exciting monograph series, featuring high-quality analysis and development of Objectivism and an exchange of ideas among top scholars working on the ideas of Ayn Rand. "I think it's very exciting to have this level of discussion about our philosophy," comments William Thomas, the series editor. "If we are going to deepen and develop Objectivism as a full-bodied school of thought, we are going to need analysis that wrestles with the serious issues raised in this volume. This is a book that will provoke serious thought and help spread Objectivism's reputation as an exciting body of thought to employ and work with."