In this video, philosopher Leonard Peikoff presents the essentials of Ayn Rand’s philosophy to a group of students, then answers their questions. Peikoff, who was Rand’s friend and associate for three decades, is the author of Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand and is the preeminent authority on her ideas. This presentation, recorded in San Francisco in 1995 by the Ayn Rand Institute, features a 42-minute lecture followed by a 33-minute Q&A session.

Questions and Answers:

0:45:21 Q&A#1: How can selfishness be compatible with respecting other people’s rights?

0:48:09 Q&A#2: Does the term “objective” have different meanings?

0:50:17 Q&A#3: Who would regulate the economy under laissez-faire capitalism?

0:54:53 Q&A#4: Are people programmed by the culture they are raised in?

0:57:57 Q&A#5: What will happen to the needy under capitalism?

1:02:55 Q&A#6: Does government have a role in disease control and education?

1:06:11 Q&A#7: Who would fund medical research if government didn’t?

1:08:35 Q&A#8: How do you know that reason is the only means of knowledge?

1:11:27 Q&A#9: In what sense is religion opposed to morality?

1:14:05 Q&A#10: Can our senses fool us, as in the case of optical illusions?

1:15:15 Q&A#11: Why do virtues have to be practiced consistently?