Leonard Peikoff analyzes Ayn Rand’s article “Philosophy: Who Needs It,” showing how Rand applies the principles of effective communication (discussed in Lesson 1 of “Objective Communication”): motivation, concretization, logical structure and delimitation. He also analyzes a sample student philosophy paper and discusses the thinking error of “rationalism.”

Readings for Lesson 2:

To get the maximum value from this lesson, please read (or reread) the following before beginning:

  • Philosophy: Who Needs It,” available here
  • The paper titled “Certainty,” available in the course readings.