Purpose Comes from Reason, Not Religion
The moral question to ask yourself is not “How can I be a tool in the hands of God?”—but “How can I make my life the best, happiest life it can be?”
Welcome to the Summer 2019 issue of The Objective Standard. Reason, purpose, dual sovereignty, federalism, privatization of public lands, wine appreciation, and more—there’s something here for everyone! Religionists have long claimed that moral purpose comes from God, and this message is being trumpeted more loudly than ever today by Ben Shapiro, Dennis Prager, Rick Warren, and other people of faith. In “Purpose Comes from Reason, Not Religion,” I examine their claims, exposing them as demonstrably false and contrary to the requirements of human life, and I show how and why moral purpose comes instead from rational thinking in pursuit of a life of happiness. Even if you already know this stuff, I think you’ll enjoy the new formulations and find the article worth sharing—especially with young people. God knows they need answers to religionists’ claims on this front. This article provides them. Next, in “John Marshall: Dual Sovereignty, One Republic,” Timothy Sandefur brings to life the legacy of this little-known but enormously important American founder. Beginning with his defense of the Constitution during Virginia’s ratification convention and culminating with his thirty-four-year career as a Supreme Court justice, Marshall was a steadfast voice in support of the principle of dual sovereignty.. . . Continue »
The moral question to ask yourself is not “How can I be a tool in the hands of God?”—but “How can I make my life the best, happiest life it can be?”
John Marshall patiently upheld the principle of dual sovereignty and set vital legal precedents for America in her infancy.
Public lands are a drain on American citizens and a barrier to the production of life-serving values. If we want to stop wasting potential resources and, instead, use them to enrich our lives, we must privatize public lands.
"Architects can add much to human happiness if they actively adopt a design philosophy that projects a good, bright view of the world while holding a heroic view of people." —John Gillis
“Like other man-made products, wine is created to serve a specific set of purposes, and facts about the wine in relation to facts about man’s body determine whether the product can fulfill its purposes, and to what degree.” —Adam Edmonsond
Salk and Sabin never worked together, but their combined efforts made possible a world in which almost no one suffers from polio.
Businessmen must learn to defend themselves when they are unjustly attacked, as should anyone concerned with justice.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the countless engineers and pilots who have managed to make air travel among the safest things human beings do.
Megan Phelps-Roper was five when her parents first put a picket sign in her hands. You don't want to know what it said.
History, Philosophy, Reviews, Science & Technology
Peter Anstey reveals how John Locke’s pessimism about a science of nature began evaporating in light of Isaac Newton’s achievements.
If you’re interested in optimizing your life for peak flourishing, check out this invaluable resource.
Arts & Culture, History, Philosophy, Politics & Rights, Reviews
Harvard professor Steven Pinker lays out a powerful case for cultural optimism in his book Enlightenment Now.
We can all benefit from being selective when it comes to using technology.
Arts & Culture, Reviews, Science & Technology
Isaacson’s Leonardo Da Vinci distills this complex Renaissance man whose achievements in art and science have enriched posterity.