The nature of Western Civilization is both contested and crucial to the future of that very civilization. A growing number of influential intellectuals argue the civilization we associate with the West, is essentially Christian. This course challenges that story head-on. Drawing on Yaron Brook and Don Watkins’s forthcoming book, we will trace the achievements that define Western Civilization—science, individual rights, free markets, great art—to their real source: the Greek, Aristotelian, this-worldly commitment to reason. We examine Christianity’s essence—faith, self-sacrifice, and humility—and ask whether the West rose because of it or despite it. Come discover what actually built the modern world—and what it takes to defend it.
Students will have the exclusive opportunity to read excerpts from Yaron Brook and Don Watkins’s forthcoming book.
Join live online classes via videoconferencing.
View the same course content, assignments, and resources available to graded students. Auditors are welcome to do assigned work but should not expect that it will be reviewed or graded by ARU faculty.
Can’t join the live class? Watch all classes anywhere, anytime.
Yaron Brook
ARI reserves the right to cancel or reschedule live courses. Students have the option to be refunded, credited, or transferred to another course should this occur.
ARU courses are for avocational and professional development purposes. They are not licensed and not accredited.
ARU course participants must abide by our Code of Conduct and Confidentiality policies, and any other course policies communicated to participants.
Although there are no prerequisites to auditing this course, auditors should know that ARU students enrolled in this course have completed (all parts of) one of ARI’s Objectivism seminar courses.
We offer foundational courses in Objectivism and objective communication each year, as well as courses in special topics such as epistemology, literature, business, and intellectual history.
