OSI Talks

Objective Standard Institute
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Series

Lectures from the Objective Standard Institute on ideas for living and flourishing.

  1. Sep 29

    Seeing People Clearly Lessons from Jane Austen | Angelica Werth

    Jane Austen doesn't lecture us about human nature; she dramatizes it. Through characters who learn (or refuse to learn) from experience, her novels illuminate how ideas shape choices, how self-deception derails judgment, and what moral growth looks like in real life. In this talk, Angel will explore key characters from Austen's novels to show how great fiction can sharpen our ability to read people accurately, and how we can use that clarity to navigate and improve our relationships.

  2. Sep 29

    Evidence and Excellence How to Identify and Achieve Your Potential Craig Biddle

    Do you ever doubt your ability to take on new challenges and succeed in them? Do you fear wading into new waters and instead settle for the status quo? If so, you are not alone. Nor are you stuck there. You can do much more than you know. You can achieve great success in life. And you can see that you can—but, to do so, you have to know where and how to look. In this talk, Craig will show you a method for overcoming doubt and fear and seeing your actual potential so you can soar and thrive.

  3. Sep 29

    The Elements of Secular Spirituality | Maddox Locher

    What is spirituality? Is it inherently religious or faith-based, as many people believe? Or is it factually secular and reason-based? Maddox will argue that it is the latter—and that it is a vital human need. Surveying the nature and importance of universal values such as purpose, art, friendship, and love—along with the range of legitimate personal preferences in these areas—Maddox will unpack and integrate key aspects of secular spirituality.

  4. Sep 29

    Understanding the Declaration of Independence | Timothy Sandefur

    As America marks its 250th anniversary of independence, Timothy—author of The Conscience of the Constitution: The Declaration of Independence and the Right to Liberty and the forthcoming Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence—will examine the Declaration's philosophical and legal foundations and the lessons they hold for our day.

  5. Sep 29

    Saving Capitalism From Its Defenders | Eric Daniels

    To the extent that capitalism has existed, it has enabled human beings to achieve unparalleled productivity and prosperity. For this reason, many advocates of capitalism see it as practical. Few, however, see it as moral. Some of its defenders give capitalism only "two cheers" on the grounds that it enables businessmen selfishly to amass enormous wealth and results in economic inequality. Others try to justify capitalism on altruistic grounds, arguing that it's good because it requires greedy businessmen to serve their fellow men. Still others argue that free markets are best because, due to man's innate depravity, no one is good enough to rule others. Dr. Eric Daniels will address such claims and make the case that capitalism is not only practical, but also the only moral social system—and the only one fit for morally good people.

  6. Sep 29

    Capitalism: The Social System for Human Flourishing | Gloria Alvarez

    Having experimented with governments that substantially protect individual rights and free markets—and having witnessed a century of carnage caused by various forms of statism (socialism, communism, nationalism, etc.)—America and other countries around the world are now flirting with or even embracing statism in one form or another. Why? Why would people who have tasted the fruits of freedom turn back to the treachery of tyranny? What ideas are behind this shift? What history has been forgotten? What confusions have muddied the waters? In this talk, Gloria Álvarez will highlight facts and principles that are essential to thinking and communicating clearly about this matter. Looking at various iterations of statism—from the Soviet Union to present-day Venezuela to the mixed economies of Europe and North America—and comparing these to the freer countries and eras, she will point out key distinctions and integrations that are crucial to understanding what capitalism is and why it is the only social system for human flourishing.

  7. Sep 29

    Do Process: A Strategy for Thriving | Craig Biddle

    When considering principles and practices for thriving, do you find the countless alternatives overwhelming, even confusing? If so, you're not alone. Advice regarding success abounds. And much of it seems contradictory: Focus on goals Forget goals—focus on systems Become a specialist Become a generalist Always say "yes" to opportunities for growth, and many doors will open Say "no" to practically everything—say "yes" only to relatively few opportunities Choose your future, design your life Renounce the illusion of free will—only then can you find your bliss And so on. How to thrive is not obvious. And few people truly do thrive in the full sense of the term. This is because few have a reality-based, non-contradictory system for assessing, integrating, and applying ideas toward that end. Do Process is such a system. Based on Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism, and incorporating powerful ideas from various personal-development thinkers, Do Process will help you declutter your mind, focus your efforts, build good habits, and transform your life.

  8. Sep 29

    Benjamin Franklins Principles for Freedom and Flourishing | Jon Hersey

    Benjamin Franklin's life story is a testament to the fact that free men may rise as high as their ambition will take them. His inventions include not only useful gadgets and live-saving devices but also the genre of self-development nonfiction. With only two years of formal schooling, he managed to become one of the greatest scientists of his age and one of the greatest statesmen in history. In this talk, Jon Hersey will spotlight the principles of freedom and flourishing that we can learn from "the First American" and apply in our own lives today.

See All (15)

About

Lectures from the Objective Standard Institute on ideas for living and flourishing.

Information

  • Creator
    Objective Standard Institute
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    OSI Talks