Social Science, Political And Historical Issues
Social Sciences as Sorcery
George H. Smith
GHS4 2 hrs./2 cassettes $12.00
The title for this lecture was taken from a 1972 book by the noted sociologist Stanislav Andreski, who compares many of the pronouncements of modern social "scientists" to those of witch doctors and high priests. This lecture focuses on whether, and to what extent, social theory constitutes a legitimate science, and the various ways in which social science differs from the physical sciences. Its basic thesis is that social theory is more philosophy than it is science, as that term is commonly understood today. This means that social "scientists" cannot appeal to their special expertise in defending their theories, but must rely instead on the common experience and reasoning ability that are available to everyone.
PHILOSOPHY, INDIVIDUALISM, AND THE HUMAN SCIENCES
Six Seminars by George H. Smith
GHS5 11 hrs./11 cassettes $90.00
Part I The Origin and Development of the Human Sciences Part II Epistemological Problems and the Role of Methodology Part III The Philosophy of History Part IV The Scope and Method of Sociology Part V The Contributions of Economic Theory Part VI Individualism and Ideology in the Human Sciences
THE INDIVIDUALIST FEMINIST HERITAGE SERIES
Moses and Lillian Harman: Radical Lightbearers
by Sharon Presley
SP5 90 min./1 cassette $10.00
Moses and his daughter Lillian braved the Comstock laws to publish Lucifer: The Lightbearer, a radical journal promoting anarchism, feminism, free love and free thought.
Loving Freedom: The Anarchist Life of Voltairine de Cleyre
by Sharon Presley
SP6 95 min./2 cassettes $12.00
A passionate writer, speaker and poet, Voltairine was a contemporary of Emma Goldman and a well-known anarchist-feminist and freethought advocate.
AYN RAND'S ETHICAL AND POLITICAL THEORY: A CRITICAL INTRODUCTION
by George H. Smith
GHS1 12 hours/12 cassettes $90.00
A sympathetic but critical analysis of Rand's philosophical theory. Each seminar places her ideas in a broader historical context, comparing them to the theories of Aristotle, the Stoics, Aquinas, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Adam Smith, Kant, and others. The overviews of philosophical theories about happiness, self-interest, rights, etc., provide a framework for a comparative assessment of Rand. Each seminar includes over a hour of lecture by Smith followed by a stimulating and intellectually sophisticated give and take with the seminar participants.
Lecture I: Ayn Rand and the History of Ideas
Lecture II: Value Theory and the Foundation of Ethics
Lecture III: Rational Egoism
Lecture IV: The Application of Ethical Theory
Lecture V: The Theory of Rights
Lecture VI: The Theory of Government
"George Smith has the clearest, busiest mind I have ever had the pleasure of exploring"--David Hurowitx, San Francisco
"I valued the other perspectives George brought and the outside books he recommended."--Terry Stageberg, Daly City
"Fascinating and highly stimulating"--Irene Riemann, Berkeley
Ethics vs. Economics as an Argument for Libertarianism: A Debate
by George H. Smith and David Friedman
GHS3 90 min/ 1 cassette $10.00
A lively debate (held in 1981 between Smith and economist David Friedman) on which approach--ethics or economics--provides the most compelling support for libertarian political philosophy.