Seminars and Speaking Engagements

Calendar

• Ottawa Hayekian Cafe - Libertarian Philosophy Meetup Group

No events listed.

SEMINARS

These seminars are for people who are passionate about learning political philosophy, so that they can either understand their own intuitions and ideas, those of others, or better advocate those ideas. Libertarianism considers both social and economic objectives, and like Marxism if philosophically rigorous. You should have a basic exposure to introductory philosophical ideas, or have at least read more than one philosopher to participate in these seminars.

• Propertarianism – Libertarian Philosophy For Conservatives, Libertarians, And The Rare Open Minded Progressive.
  Goals: Libertarianism is currently constructed as an ideology rather than a discipline. The objective of this seminar is to help develop a knowledge of libertarian ideas, and how they apply to both conservative, libertarian and progressive solutions.
  Description: One to three concepts a week, discussed in detail. Those who have experience in the socratic method of Socrates Cafe, will feel comfortable in this open forum.
• The Art of Debate
  Goals: To teach participants how to conduct a political debate using a straightforward methodology: libertarian, propertarian, reasoning.
  Description: twenty minutes of presentation on a single topic using an example. Followed by forty minutes of facilitated discussion.

TALKS

These talks are designed for small groups of people with general interest, and should be digestible by anyone who is interested in, and read in, current politics.

1. A Comparison Of The Moral Frameworks Of Progressives, Libertarians and Conservatives. (15 or 30 minutes)
   Jonathan Haidt’s Moral framework helps us discuss the differences between the different political ideologies. I try to put this into context for libertarians and conservatives.
2. The Possible Futures For America (20 or 40 Minutes)
   A survey of the possible good, and bad, futures of America by the world’s geopolitical thinkers.
3. The Unique And Counter-Intuitive Features Of Western Civilization (40 minutes)
   What makes the west unique: Nial Ferguson’s Six Kller Apps of western civilization put in libertarian context for conservative audiences.
4. The Five Economic Factions That Determine Our Policy. (20 or 40 minutes)
   Economists follow ideologies just like people follow political ideologies. In this talk I explain how the different economists approach economics and politics and how they align with the political parties. I also help explain why it is that economists are usually wrong, and why the factions exist: because we don’t really know very much.
5. Suggested Economic Policies For Conservatives (25 Minutes)
   There are good policy ideas and bad policy ideas. In this short talk, I cover the economic policies that achieve macro economic objectives while serving, or at lest, not violating conservative principles.
6. An Overview Of American Geo Strategic History And Policy for Americans and Especially Non Americans (40 minutes)
   Contrary to popular opinion in both the USA and Europe, the USA has a rational foreign policy. It’s not perfect. But it’s rational. In this talk I try to explain the strategic and economic reasons for American Strategic Behavior.
7. Why America Culture Is So Different From European Culture (20 Minutes) (For european audiences)
   America never had feudalism. It’s always had a market. And it’s really big. In this short and somewhat humorous talk I try to explain some of the top things visitors notice about the states and why those things are so odd to them.