Time : January 24 at 12pm
Place : Brown Sugar
1033 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215

The study of morality has usually focused on casual observation and theoretical rambling. Lately more rigorous scientific studies of morality have uncovered unexpected facets of morality.
Examples :
Studies of brain functioning observed by magnetic resonance imaging.
Monkeys and chimps observed in confinement and in the wild.
Other animals shown to cooperate rather than merely herding or flocking.
Carefully designed psychological testing.
How does this affect Rand’s moral theory? What can we learn from evolutionary theory?

I am experimenting with the new venue.

Salon – Obamacare, scheduled to occur on December 20, 2009 12:00 PM has been canceled.

This is due to the snow as you can all see. I am not going to reschedule since we are right near Xmas and other festivities, so most people will have made other plans already. Next salon is tentatively set for Jan 17.

December 20, 2009 12:00 PM (New location)

Open discussion on the healthcare ‘crisis’. What is the best way for an individual to deal with medical situations in the face of government interference? Do you want the results of your annual physical to be posted on some poorly secured government website? Do you want the IRS to send you reminders to go to the gym or lose your tax deduction?

Panera Bread
888 Commonwealth Ave
Green Line train B @ BU area
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 738-1501

Rand believed implicitly in anarchy of the mind – nobody has a duty to let others control their life. Why did she then reject anarchy as a practical system? Was she right to do so?
The salon will be a mostly discussion format with only a short presentation. This is the right room for an argument.

When: October 11, 2009 11:00 AM

Where:
White Horse Tavern
116 Brighton Ave
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 254-6633

Nathaniel Branden’s Conceptualization of Self-Esteem:
Why It Is Important — and Two Simple Questions the Asking of Which Have Direct & Immediate Self-Esteem Boosting Effects

Date : Sunday September 13th
Time : 11am
Venue :
White Horse Tavern
116 Brighton Ave
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 254-6633

Mark Shar, a BON founding member and long-time BON participant and fan of Ayn Rand’s works, will present his thoughts & ideas about Nathaniel Branden’s conceptualization of self-esteem and why it is important.

Questions that will be addressed include:
- What is self-esteem?
- How does Rand’s definition differ from Branden’s?
- Are there things/people external to self that can increase or decrease one’s self-esteem?
- Why understanding this concept — and especially Branden’s conceptualization of it — is vital to your psychological health and, in particular, your happiness & success, your felt enjoyment and level of satisfaction in life.
- What are the actions or practices that enhance self-esteem?
- What are two simple questions you can ask yourself, day in and day out, about anything and everything in your life that will, in the asking have a direct and immediate positive impact on your self-esteem, your happiness and your level of satisfaction in life?