Monday, October 16, 2006. 6:30pm – 9:00pm; UCLA Campus: Dodd 147, Los Angeles, CA. Email: info@ClubLogic.org
The Middle East has been the stage for conflict and crisis for many decades now. What philosophical principles underlie the continued hostilities and tensions? In the five years since 9/11 especially, the Middle East has been a hotbed of military conflict–ranging from the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq to controversies and violence surrounding Danish cartoons depicting Muhammad to Israel’s attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon. No doubt, Islamic Totalitarianism poses a grave threat to the security and prosperity of Western nations, but our attempts to stop the enemy has fallen short of successful. In many ways, the Western response has only emboldened and incited terrorist organizations and governments.
What historical and philosophical factors account for the present state of affairs and what do they suggest for the future? Is the war on terror really un-winnable? What should be the U.N.’s role in international policy? Should Israel have assented to the U.N.’s dictates, or should it have continued to fight Hezbollah in Lebanon? Should Iran be allowed to develop nuclear technology? What should Western countries do in the Middle East to advance the causes of freedom and liberty?
In his lecture and the subsequent Q & A session, Dr. Yaron Brook undertakes these questions from a unique philosophical perspective. He will show why appeasement and U.N. sanctions are ineffective, why self-defense cannot be achieved by compromise and dialogues with those who have abandoned reason, why civilian casualties are always the responsibility of the aggressor, why Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear program, why Israel and America should be unconcerned with world opinion, why terrorist organizations and governments must be eradicated, why Israel should not have compromised its campaign against Hezbollah, and ultimately, why securing liberty requires acting on consistent, rational principles.
Dr. Yaron Brook is the President and Executive Director of the Ayn Rand Institute. He is interviewed extensively by the print, radio, and television media for the Objectivist position on current events such as the war in Iraq, Internet control and censorship, and threats to freedom of speech. His recent media appearances include TV interviews on Closing Bell (CNBC) and The O’Reilly Factor (Fox News Channel). He also speaks regularly at college campuses and professional associations across the country.