My first project for this blog will be to compile an on-going list of useful resources. This list will include books, articles, websites, organizations, podcasts, songs, and anything else that might inspire intellectual growth. I have no intentions of making an exhaustive list--as the internet has created such an explosion of counter-mainstream ideas and philosophies that such a list would never be completed--merely a collection of information sources that were invaluable to my own philosophical development, expanded over time with newly discovered founts of knowledge. What follows is the first installment of this project.
Resources with Which to Get Started:
-The fiction works of author/philosopher, Ayn Rand: "We the Living;" "Anthem;" "The Fountainhead;" and most importantly, "Atlas Shrugged." They are all worthy in their own right, but together they form a potent force for expanding one's mind to the ideas of liberty. Most importantly, Rand imbues her works of fiction with a backbone of philosophical principles. She states, as the facts serious thought will show them to be, her premises with clarity and pride. Her literary voice is engaging, persuasive, and compelling. Nothing will prepare one for the intellectual rigor of serious study into the large and expanding world of libertarian philosophy and economics quite like a thorough reading of "Atlas Shrugged." As one of the longest pieces of literature in the English language, setting out to read Rand's magnum opus is no light undertaking. It requires a thirst for knowledge and deep interest in the ideas being presented. It is a book that often shakes the reader's worldview to it's foundations. I can honestly say that "Atlas Shrugged" changed my life. It is the book that inspired me to begin the journey of discovery that lead me to a philosophy of complete liberty. Rand, for all of her contributions to the human race, was not perfect. There were some flaws in her reasoning and some contradictory premises left unchecked, but she will endure as one of the greatest philosophers the world has ever known.
-The Complete Liberty podcast, hosted by author Wes Bertrand. The first ten episodes of this podcast--available for free on iTunes--are dedicated to converting Bertrand's second book, "Complete Liberty: The Demise of the State and the Rise of Voluntary America," to an audiobook. After these first ten episodes, the podcast becomes a forum for the discussion of various aspects of libertarian philosophy, economics, anti-state rhetoric, interesting news, stories of human achievement, and other topics relevant to the ideas I hope to present in this blog. Various guests frequent the show, and the discussion is typically lively and informative. This podcast was a huge influence on my development as a Voluntaryist, and introduced me to a lot of the other resources and ideas I plan to share. A free to download PDF version of the book is available at www. completeliberty.com, as well as a forum and other resources that Wes has created.
-"For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto" by Murray N. Rothbard. Known as the "father of anarcho-capitalism," Murray Rothbard is responsible for bringing together the many diverse concepts of various thinkers of the past and present into a coherent and complete philosophy. He borrowed from the Objectivist philosophy of Rand, the economic ideas of Mises and the Austrian school, and the ideas of various individualist anarchists and classical liberals; synthesizing them into what he came to call anarcho-capitalism. He was responsible for bringing true libertarian principles to the mainstream of political thought without watering down or compromising his ideas for consumption by the masses. The aforementioned book truly deserves it's subtitle, as it is the most comprehensive and concise volume available on the subject. All serious libertarian thinkers should include this tome in their repetoir of literature.
That concludes the first installment. Check back soon for more.
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