By Leonard Peikoff
Dr. Peikoff's book The DIM Hypothesis identifies three different modes of integration, i.e., of interrelating concretes, such as individual percepts, facts, choices, etc. As Dr. Peikoff explains: "My thesis is that the dominant trends in every key area can be defined by their leaders' policy toward integration. They are against it (Disintegration, D); they are for it, if it conforms to reality (Integration, I); they are for it, if it conforms to a superior reality (Misintegration, M)." The book demonstrates the power of these three modes in shaping Western culture and history.
In these six lectures, Dr. Peikoff presents and explains excerpts from seven of the twelve chapters in his book. The first three lectures, dealing with epistemology, explain why there are only three possible interpretations of integration, and which philosopher is the source of each. The final three lectures illustrate the power of the DIM Hypothesis to reveal the anatomy of Western culture, by considering the successive trends prevalent in literature, education, and politics since the Renaissance.
This lecture was recorded at the 2007 Objectivist Summer Conference in Telluride, CO.
This content is available for free at the ARI Campus, on the Ayn Rand University mobile app (iOS and Android), and on the Ayn Rand Institute's YouTube Channel.
(MP3 download; 9 hrs., 38 min., with Q & A, 415.94 MB)
