By John David Lewis
The disastrous fall of ancient Rome had a philosophical cause that reached back centuries. From the outset, two deadly ideas were implanted in Roman intellectual life: philosophical idealism and the ethics of duty. This lecture discusses the transmission of these ideas, and how the lack of a rational philosophy left the pagans with no defense against the supernaturalism rising in their midst. Rome's fall offers a powerful warning—and a distinct hope—to America today.
This lecture was recorded at the 2005 Objectivist Summer Conference in San Diego, CA.
(MP3 download; 88 min., with Q & A, 63 MB)
