Session 5 - Nothing Less Than Victory

On Thursday, January 5^th, we will resume our discussion of John David Lewis’s “Nothing Less Than Victory”! 

Over the past few months, we have reviewed the effects that moral ideas had on the generals and soldiers of many battles, campaigns, and strategies of the ancient world (with Dr. Lewis as our guide, of course). 

In Session Five, we will begin our look at warfare in the modern world with a critical analysis of William Tecumseh Sherman’s march through the South during the American Civil War.  Often vilified and damned by historians and military theorists as a practitioner of unjust war, Sherman was anything but immoral in his conduct of warfare:  his thoughts and actions demonstrated an advanced and integrated understanding of the proper moral reasoning for the use of force.  Dr. Lewis, as always, reveals himself to be the consummate teacher of ideas by seamlessly moving between abstract principles and their concrete representatives in one of the deadliest periods of American history.  This chapter, “The Hard Hand of War”, clearly shows the connection between rational moral ideas and success in warfare (and, on a broader note, success in life).

We will host the discussion at The Metropolitan Coffeehouse and Bar in Baltimore, MD from 7:00-8:30 PM.  New attendees are always welcome.  See you all then!

Nothing Less Than Victory

Hello, everyone!  Last week, we held the first session of our new book discussion which focuses on “Nothing Less Than Victory” by John David Lewis.  We began Session One with an examination of the subject of Dr. Lewis’s book, how he plans on covering that subject, and the most important point to take away from reading his book.  After our initial discussion, we took an in-depth look at the role of ideas in the Greco-Persian Wars, examining how the ideologies of the Greeks and Persians affected the strategy, tactics, and morale of their respective militaries.  Overall, our discussion was enjoyable and constructive as participating members brought insightful ideas and positive energy to the dialogue (and dinner) table. 

This week, we will host Session Two at The Metropolitan Wine Bar and Coffeehouse on Thursday, September 22^nd from 7:00-8:30 PM.  Session Two covers the Peloponnesian and Theban Wars of ancient Greece, and promises to address the valuable lessons yielded from the study of those conflicts.  Dr. Lewis is a master at identifying the causal connections between ideas and actions, and the lessons he presents are wholly applicable to modern warfare and foreign policy.  Come join us on Thursday!

P.S. – For those of you who are still “on the fence” in regards to joining our discussion, check out the Introduction from “Nothing Less Than Victory” for free via Google books (most of Chapter One is available for free, too).  You can also check out Dr. Lewis’s new article, “9/11 Ten Years Later:  The Fruits of the Philosophy of Self-Abnegation”, in The Objective Standard. 

Summer Brunch Series: Basics of Objectivism

I'm announcing today a new series for people interested in learning more about Philosophy and Objectivism. We are calling it our Summer Brunch Series: Basics of Objectivism. Join us at the Gin Mill on May 22nd at 11am.

Our first session will discuss Ayn Rand's speach given at West Point called "Philosophy: Who Needs It?". Here is a breif description from ARI's website:

In March 1974, Ayn Rand faced the improbable task of lecturing on the crucial importance of philosophy—to the graduating class of West Point. She succeeded magnificently: she attracted three times the expected attendance, she elicited an enthusiastic ovation, and her lecture was reprinted in a new philosophy textbook published by the U.S. Military Academy. Relive this memorable occasion, and rediscover the irresistible intellectual power of Ayn Rand.

Pick up the book with the same title at any bookstore or on Amazon. You can listen to Ms. Rand give the lecture, along with her Q&A, on the ARI website 

Behind the Scenes of the Atlas Shrugged Movie: Reason.tv

Reason.tv has a few more tidbits of Atlas Shrugged movie information if you haven't already watched it. First up is some clips from the production/post-production of the movie.

The next video is the screen writer talking about "Adapting the Epic: The Making of Atlas Shrugged the Movie". I think his take on the theme is particularly interesting since Ayn Rand made the it quite explicit.

Ayn Rand said the theme of Atlas Shrugged is "the role of the mind in man’s existence and, as corollary, the demonstration of a new moral philosophy: the morality of rational self-interest." What do you guys think?

March Events Update

There are a few upcoming events:

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 1200 - CATO Talk on Neoconservatism by Thompson/Brook

May 26th - 30th, 2011 - ATLOSCON - Atlanta Objectivists Society Conference

Sunday May 7th, 2011 - Thinking Tactics Class in DC

CATO Talk: Neoconservatism: An Obituary for an Idea

BOOK FORUMNeoconservatism: An Obituary for an Idea
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Noon (Luncheon to Follow)

Featuring the author C. Bradley Thompson, Clemson University; with comments by Tod Lindberg, Hoover Institution; moderated by David Boaz, Cato Institute

C. Bradley Thompson, professor of political science and executive director of the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism, has written (with Yaron Brook) a comprehensive and original analysis of neoconservatism. Read more about this event, including how to watch it live online or in person, at the CATO website.

If you are interested in attending in person, email us and we'll let you know if any of our fellow DCOS members will be there to meet you!

ATLOSCON

Conference
May 26th-30th 2011

Our sister group in Atlanta is hosting a conference May 26th-30th (Memorial Day weekend) called ATLOSCON. If you are interested in attending please fill out their interest form.

I will be attending so if you are interested in going too talk to me at one of the socials.

Thinking Tactics Workshop Coming to DC

Class
Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 9:30am – 5:00pm

Jean Moroney has scheduled her Thinking Tactics workshop in the DC area for Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 9:30am – 5:00pm.  The location is yet to be determined, but it will be a hotel in the vicinity of Reagan National Airport.

Now is the time to sign up!  You can register immediately at: http://www.thinkingdirections.com/DC2011.htm

You must register and pay by March 25, 2011, to receive the early bird discount price of $275. After that, the price increases to $325, and after April 24 it goes up to the regular price of $375, so don’t delay!  Use coupon code BIRD to receive the $100 discount. 

If you missed my previous announcement, you can find out more about Jean Moroney and this workshop by visiting her web site at www.thinkingdirections.com, or at the sign up page,

http://www.thinkingdirections.com/DC2011.htm.  As I mentioned before, I plan to organize a dinner after the event – details to be determined in April.