George Smith examines some of Rand’s claims about the beneficial influence of Aristotle’s ideas on the course of Western civilization.

George Smith discusses some good and bad influences that Ayn Rand’s ideas had on his own intellectual development.

George Smith explains some fundamental features of Immanuel Kant’s moral and political theory.

George Smith discusses Kant’s attempt to justify objective moral principles and his views on when the use of coercion is morally proper.

George H. Smith criticizes some features of Benedict Spinoza’s political theory, especially his theory of rights.

George H. Smith explains how some leading Christian theologians justified the death penalty for heretics and blasphemers.

George H. Smith discusses the Hobbesian theory of self-interest and why classical liberals were so intent on refuting it.

George H. Smith begins his exploration of self-interest and social order by explaining Lord Shaftesbury’s theory of social psychology.

George H. Smith explores Emile Durkheim’s major objections to Herbert Spencer’s theory of a free society based on voluntary contracts.

George H. Smith explores some features of social holism, as explained and defended by Emile Durkheim.

George H. Smith explores the historical and theoretical roots of methodological individualism and subjectivism.

George H. Smith discusses some controversial features of praxeology, as defended by Ludwig von Mises. 

George H. Smith explains methodological individualism and its implications for the existence of institutions and other social phenomena.

George H. Smith discusses the value of sociology and some misconceptions of methodological individualism.

George H. Smith explains Herbert Spencer’s views of the scientific status of sociology, the nature of social laws, and the practical value of social science.

George H. Smith explores the controversy over whether sociology qualifies as an authentic science.

George H. Smith explains how the methodological monism of modern positivism differs from classical empiricism.

George H. Smith explains methodological subjectivism and how it applies to the study of human action.