"A Philosophy for Living on Earth" by Peter Saint-Andre

Explores a theory of happiness as "integrated self-fulfillment" that is based on the Aristotelian ethical tradition and, specifically, the Objectivist branch of that tradition. Examines essential capacities of the human individual, carefully sifting the writings of Ayn Rand: thought, choice, action, and feeling. Consideration of these essential capacities leads to a new formulation of the cardinal Objectivist values: conceptualization, self-direction, achievement, and enjoyment.

"Acsent to Volitional Consciousness" by John Enright

Studies levels of awareness as a continuum from the lower animals upwards. Contests the Cartesian view of animals as mechanical automatons. Argues that animals have some freedom, proportionate to their level of awareness. The greater freedom of humans arises from their higher level of consciousness, the conceptual level.

"Attentional and Perceptual Disorders and the Nature of Consciousness - Part 1" by Kathleen Touchstone

Part 1 surveys a good deal of the latest scientific research and philosophic thought concerning relations of neuronal computational systems to phenomenal consciousness. Includes research and thought of Benjamin Libet, M. Jeannerod, V.S. Ramachandran, James Newman, Marcel Kinsbourne, Daniel Dennett, David Chalmers, Bruce MacLennan, Bernard Baars, Paul Churchland, Francisco Varela, and Shaun Gallagher. Assimilates recent advances and brings the various recent perspectives into comparison with each other and with expressly Objectivist perspectives (Rand, Peikoff, Kelley, and Robert Efron). Part 2 of this study will bring to bear perceptual and attentional disorders as well as normal anomalies of consciousness.

"Axioms: The Eightfold Way" by Ronald E. Merrill

Proposes a new organization of Ayn Rand's axioms, which were three: Existence, Consciousness, Identity. In the new organization, there are eight axioms. There are three logical axioms, which identify the rules of reasoning; three metaphysical axioms, which root our knowledge of reality; and two epistemological axioms, which are presumed when we assert anything to be known.

"Beginning - Fulfilling" by James Henderson

A comment on the nature of beginning. From Aristotle to moderns such as Joseph Conrad, the potentiality of human beings has been portrayed as present in the beginning of each human action. Through these actions, each person values and judges the world. Thereby we define ourselves, each one of us becoming artist of our own life.

"Can Art Exist without Death?" by Kathleen Touchstone

Reviews the currently envisioned theoretical biological limits on human life span; barriers to the human impulse to live effectively forever. Discusses the validity of the concept of infinity, distinguishing the metaphysically infinite from the physically infinite and from the mathematically infinite. Surveys carefully how and what Einstein's general theory of relativity, in its contemporary development, can tell us about the physical infinity of spacetime (in the large). Assimilates the possibility of effectively endless life with Rand's theory that the concept of life---as we know it, vulnerable life---is what makes the concept of value possible. Elaborates and extends Rand's gedanken of the immortal, indestructible robot. Answers the question "Can art exist without death?"

"Capturing Concepts" by Stephen Boydstun

Assimilates recent research on categorical perception and on preschoolers' conceptual development into the general theory of concept formation. Includes results from Anne Treisman, Jean Mandler, John Macnamara, Linda Smith, Frank Keil, and many others. Argues that Rand's measurement omission is not the child's earliest method of concept formation. Rather, measurement omission is an advanced and ideal method.

"Chaos" by Stephen Boydstun

Covers modern, scientific chaos theory. No BS. Draws implications for metaphysics.

"Compatibility of Determinism and Free Will" by George Lyons

Surveys and analyzes Compatibilism, the doctrine that free will and determinism are a false dichotomy, one produced by the broader mind/body dichotomy. Finds free will logically consistent with completely deterministic science when properly defined. Critiques the Objectivist and other arguments for indeterminism.

"Con Molto Sentimento: The Neuropsychology of Music" by Marsha Enright

Why does man make music? Why should an auditory stimulus provoke an emotional response? This article draws from recent neuropsychological studies to produce an original theory of the nature of music.

"Epicurus and Rand" by Ray Shelton

Argues meticulously from texts of Epicurus that in basic theory of value Rand is quite similar to Epicurus and that her theory is much closer to his theory than to Aristotle's. Contrasts Epicurus' conception of the good to those of Plato and Aristotle. Displays how Epicurus bases his theory in biology.

"The Essence of Art" by Roger E. Bissell

Closely reasoned support of and elaboration of the theoretical definition of art that was proposed by Ayn Rand: art as recreation of reality in accordance with the creator's metaphysical value judgements. Shows the relation of this modern theory to the older theory of art as an imitation of nature.

"Evidence of Necessary Existence" by Tibor Machan

A sophisticated exposition of Ayn Rand's form of philosophical foundationalism. Sets out Rand's axioms, focusing on "Existence exists." Discusses the nature and function of expressions like that one; relationships with Hegel and Heidegger. Explicates Rand's method of validating philosophical axioms; relationship to Aristotle's defense of the principle of noncontradiction. Considers "the kind of 'evidence' we may have for the kind of propositions which both Rand and Aristotle regard as identifying basic facts, giving special consideration to the role that self-knowledge plays in providing such evidence." Considers contemporary objections to the Aristotelian and Randian approaches.

"Formation of the Concept of Mind" by Paul Vanderveen

"What is it that young children know about the mind, and what is the difference between their concepts and beliefs and those of adolescents and adults? What developmental path leads most children eventually to the adult concept of mind?" Surveys thoroughly the recent scientific research on the concepts and beliefs of young children. Provides evidence to challenge "a long-standing and widely accepted assumption---namely, that one learns to think in terms of one's mind through an inwardly directed cognitive process." Outlines the child's developmental path to formation of the explicit concept of mind.

"Identity of Indiscernibles and Quantum Physics" by Joseph Mixie

Discusses Leibniz's principle of the identity of indiscernibles in application to physical objects, from macroscopic objects to elementary particles. Distinguishes two forms of the principle: (1) "things having exactly the same properties are identical, indeed, they are one thing" and (2) "things having exactly the same properties and exactly the same external relations . . . are identical, indeed, they are one thing." Discusses the postulate of permutation invariance, which, with the theory of quantum mechanics proper, implies that identical elementary particles be either fermions or bosons. Argues that Leibniz's principle, in the form (2), still stands; even for bosons and for fermions in the same mixed state.

"Imagination and Cognition" by Merlin Jetton

Reveals vital role of imagination in the growth of knowledge. Presents various attitudes towards imagination through the ages. Introduces important recent theory of Mark Johnson.

"Induction on Identity" by Stephen Boydstun

Part 1- Contends that Rand's "Existence is Identity" is the basis of induction. Surveys the varieties of induction.

Part 2- Examines closely the theory, of Nicolaus Autrecourt and of David Hume, that causation is only regularity and habituation. Examines concomitant positions on the nature of material substance. Upholds identity as ground of all induction. Distinguishes two kinds of identity. Outlines theory of predication based on identity. Includes analysis of mathematical induction.

"Intricate Consciousness" by Jay Friedenberg

Discusses the relationships between existence, consciousness, and self-consciousness. Draws attention to historical antecedents for present theory: from Aquinas, Aquasparta, and Dugald Stewart. Brings to bear research in the twentieth century: from Piaget, Baillargeon, and others. Surveys recent theories on the evolution of consciousness, including the theory of Dennett. Presents history of thought upon and recent psychological research upon consciousness as an efficacious selector and controller. Catalogues relationships of unconscious activities to awareness and consciousness.

"Intuition, the Subconscious, and the Acquisition of Knowledge" by Kathleen Touchstone

Part 1- Considers how Koestler's case for the role of subconscious thought in creative endeavors, particularly scientific ones, can be squared with Rand's thesis that reason (conscious reason) is the only means to knowledge. Includes testimony of great creators. Examines, in light of modern research, the Freudian conception of dreams, as royal road to unconscious activities of the mind; focus on Jonathan Winson and Allan Hobson.

Part 2- Assimilates research on cerebral laterality pertaining to creativity: right-brain learning and right-brain links to intuition and the unconscious.

"Mathematic Empiric" by Daniel Ust

Surveys Philip Kitcher's contemporary empiricist theory of mathematical knowledge. Kitcher contends that mathematical knowledge need not be independent of experience, that is, it need not be a priori, in order to be true in all possible contexts. Knowledge is true belief gotten by a warranted process. No warranting processes---such as "intuition"---can be available independently of experience nor produce true and warranted belief independently of experience. Kitcher argues against the three basic types of apriorism in mathematical philosophy: realism, constructivism, and conceptualism. He has a positive proposal for how the entirety of modern mathematics, pure as well as applied, has been developed from empirical origins.

"Mathematics and Intuition" by Kathleen Touchstone

Explores elements of intuition in the invention and use of mathematics. Within the sweep of this exploration: Maddy's contemporary realism in mathematics, which attempts to bring sets into the physical world and to tie mathematical intuitions to perception; Jackendoff's case for a universal innate grammar and the intuitive nature of thought; Reber's work on implicit learning and tacit knowledge; Gelman and Gallistel's research on the child's concept of number; computational perspectives on mental representations; Grossberg's neural network modeling of perception and learning.

"The Nature of Numbers" by Merlin Jetton

Proposes definition, ontology, and referents for numbers: integers, imaginaries, irrationals, infinities.

"Objectivist Ethics: A Biological Critique" by Ronald E. Merrill

Articulates some plausible intellectual influences on Rand in formulating her ethical theory. Contends that Rand's conception of biological nature, especially human biological nature, contained errors. Concludes that her ethical system needs to be refurbished.

"On Newtonian Relative Space" by Fred Seddon

Challenges Adolf Grunbaum's interpretation of Newton's conception of relative space. Argues that Newton's conception of relative space, from which Newton would have us access absolute space, is not independent of sensing subjects. And that figure and magnitude can be common to both absolute and relative space even if the latter is percipient dependent. Argues from Newton's text that his concept of relative space is (in epistemological terminology of F.C.S. Northrop) "a concept by intuition and not a concept by postulation that is a concept by perception."

"On the Physical Meaning of Volition" by Ronald E. Merrill

While the self-contradiction involved in asserting determinism has long been recognized, the problem remains of defining what volition means and reconciling it with apparently deterministic physical laws. Our notions of volition are based on our subjective impression of ability to choose our actions. A thought experiment is proposed to show that, from an external and objective viewpoint, volitional beings can in principle be distinguished from deterministic or chance-driven entities.

"A Perfectionist-Egoist Theory of the Good" by Irfan Khawaja

Motivates a theory of natural teleology and rational egoism by reference to F.H. Bradley's question, "Why be moral?" Commends the idea of an egoistic ethics by contrasting a self-realization theory of the good with an ethic of self-alienation. Proposes a self-realization theory -- the perfectionist-egoist theory -- comprehending individual autonomy and harmonious development of one's rational and nonrational nature. Fathoms the concordance of moral obligation (which is a genre of practical necessity) and free choice (which entails metaphysical freedom).

"On Probability" by Merlin Jetton

Lays out elements of probability theory and various philosophical views of probability: logical, subjective, frequency, and propensity views.

"Philosophy of Mathematics" by Merlin Jetton

Surveys philosophies of mathematics, ancient and modern. Portrays mathematical concepts as objective; abstracting from and extending beyond experience. A modern Millian stance, opposing a prioristic and purely analytic conceptions of mathematics.

"Pursuing Similarity" by Merlin Jetton

"Rationalism, Skepticism, and Anti-Rationalism in Greek Philosophy after Aristotle" by David Potts

Surveys the history of philosophy in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, displaying in detail the transitions from rationalism (efficacious reason) to skepticism to mysticism, a developmental sequence arguably recurring in other eras, including our own. Part 1 comprises: early Stoicism with its "cataleptic phantasia," Epicureanism, the decline of Aristotle's school, and the skeptical and mystical developments at Plato's.

"Rationality of Decision and Belief" by Kathleen Touchstone

Ponders ideas advanced by Robert Nozick in The Nature of Rationality. Considers the character and function of principles, or law-like statements. Examines Nozick's concept of symbolic utility and its bearing on the concepts of marginal utility and sunk costs. Conveys Nozick's thought on the autonomy of cognitive goals and his canons for rationality of beliefs. Takes issue with part of his view of rationality in decisions.

"Reality of Mind" by Eyal Mozes

Reviews work of John Searle; critique of materialism in cognitive science and in the leading philosophies of cognitive science. Contends, with Searle, that consciousness is irreducible; caused by neurophysiological processes, but not constituted by them. Nevertheless, points out defects in Searle's account and suggests some philosophical repairs.

"Space, Rotation, Relativity" by Stephen Boydstun

Part 1 - Series leading to modern relativity begins with review of Descartes on the nature of space and motion; counterarguments to Descartes' relativity by Henry More. Traces Huygen's advances in mechanics and his arguments for the relativity of all motion, including circular motion.

Part 2 - Surveys Newton's revolution in mechanics and his conceptions of absolute space and motion, particularly his arguments concerning circular motion. Distinguishes three senses of absolute. Considers the relativist counterarguments to Newton from Leibniz.

Part 3 - Traces in detail the development of Kant's concepts of space and motion; in the Precritical and Critical periods of his thought. Argues that Kant's Critical philosophy was in a large part the result of his efforts to harmonize the metaphysics of Leibniz with the physics of Newton. Includes English translations, by the author, from Kant's (previously untranslated) Precritical treatise "New Theory of Motion and Rest."

Part 4 - Exhibits the wide extent of the Galilean invariance of physical law, the development of electrodynamics in the nineteenth century (Ampere, Faraday, Maxwell), the ultimate shortcomings of the Galilean transformations, their replacement by the Lorentz transformations in the hands of Einstein, the revolutionary character of Einstein's new concepts of space and time, and the triumphs of his new kinematics and dynamics: special relativity. Coming in Part 5: general relativity.

"The Subjectivist's Dilemna" by Michael Huemer

Exposes the self-undermining character of modern subjectivist metaethical theories. Challenges positions set forth by Ayer, Hare, Harmon, and Mackie. Argues against the views that moral claims: do not assert propositions; assert propositions, but falsely; assert propositions that are neither true nor false; assert propositions whose truth depends on attitudes of observers.

"Theories of Truth" by Merlin Jetton

Part 1- Reviews history of thought concerning the nature of truth. Covers Aristotle, the Stoics, Aquinas, and Ockham. Introduces correspondence theory of truth and critical issues for any theory of truth. Covers Hobbes, Locke, and Leibniz; early roots of the coherence theory of truth. Spinoza and Kant; growth of coherence, withering of correspondence.

Part 2 - Hegel, Bradley, Joachim, and Blanshard; heydays of metaphysical idealism and coherence theory; truth as conformity to logical concept; truth as system. Dispute over foundational truth. Character of scientific truth.

Part 3 - Peirce, James, Dewey; pragmatist theories of truth; objectivity, verificationism, and instrumentalism. Sorts out the relations of pragmatist theory to correspondence and coherence theories. Assesses those three theories. Takes up modern truth theory; the linguistic turn of the twentieth century. Tarski and Ramsey; the semantic and redundancy theories of truth. Includes diagnosis of the Liar paradox. Draws out implications of Rand's epistemology and metaphysics for truth theory. Stakes proper places of correspondence and coherence in quests of truth.

"Time, Prescience, and Biology" by Merlin Jetton

Reconceives traditional philosophic concepts such as necessity, possibility, and a priori in terms of the survival requirements of human beings in changing environments. Redraws the dispute between empiricists and rationalists over innate ideas. Assimilates pertinent recent work of Henry Plotkin and of Gerald Edelman.

"The Turing Test" by Gary McGath

Can a computer think? Examines Alan Turing's influential approach to testing a machine for intelligence.

"Volitional Synapses" by Stephen Boydstun

Part 1- Assimilates research on the neural activities underlying consciousness and choice. Maintains that external freedom requires internal physical indeterminism and promises to pursue the specific indeterministic neural processes in future installments of the article. On the relation of neural activity to mind, favors the Union view of Ted Honderich. Explores the relation of error to volition, using Descartes and Spinoza.

Part 2 - Sets right the relation of contingency to volition, arguing with Leibniz. Recasts traditional distinction of absolute and hypothetical necessity in terms of specific and particular identity. Argues that Leibniz's effort to ground freedom on hypothetical necessity fails because Leibniz does not recognize operation of real chance in the world. Recounts compactly but carefully the development of statistical mechanics, then quantum mechanics, which, with chaos, are the sources and forms of chance the author is seeking in neural activities underlying free choice.

Part 3 - Examines determinism closely in inanimate physical systems (classical) and in living systems. Steps through the hierarchy of plant and animal behaviors on the way to free thoughtful action. Locates capability for representation errors somewhat before the advent of free will. Descartes was wrong; free will is not the root of error. Prepares way for examination of determinism and freedom in biological neural network control systems---coming in Part 4.

"Who Is Dagny Taggart?" by Charles Wieder

"Why Man Needs Approval" by Marsha Enright

We are individuals. We must think for ourselves and be independent, no matter what others might think. Yet we each seek to win the approval of those we respect. Is this a contradiction? Check your premises.

"Would Immortality Be Worth It?" by Stephen Hicks

A thought experiment about the meaning of life. Students in my introductory philosophy classes, when we are discussing the meaning of life, sometimes rather complacently assume that immortal life in heaven is the goal of life and that no more questions need be asked. The common flip side to this position is the view that since we aren’t immortal, life is ultimately empty of value. Both positions rest on the premise that only immortality, i.e., an infinite life span, would make life worth living. This is the premise my thought experiment challenges.