Ben Bayer
@benbayer.bsky.social
Senior Fellow, the Ayn Rand Institute. Former philosophy prof. Views expressed are my own, I am not authorized to speak for my employer.
https://ari.aynrand.org/experts/ben-bayer/
https://ari.aynrand.org/experts/ben-bayer/
Pinned
Ben Bayer
@benbayer.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Debunking the Supernaturalism That Haunts Secular Ethics
The scientifically minded should be skeptical of the popular morality of impartiality.
newideal.aynrand.org
"Once we exorcise morality of these ghostly remnants of religion’s past, we’ll see this leaves more than enough room for new secular moral ideals to flourish."
newideal.aynrand.org/debunking-th...
newideal.aynrand.org/debunking-th...
Here Nikos Sotirakopoulos, Elan Journo, Onkar Ghate and I unpack the meaning of the conservative civil war about antisemitism.
youtu.be/kgur8cEOpnk?...
youtu.be/kgur8cEOpnk?...
Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes, Heritage, and Conservatism's Moral Decay
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Here Nikos Sotirakopoulos, Elan Journo, Onkar Ghate and I unpack the meaning of the conservative civil war about antisemitism.
youtu.be/kgur8cEOpnk?...
youtu.be/kgur8cEOpnk?...
"Defenders of the president’s new powers may seek to justify his tariffs by citing details of English history or obscure American pamphlets. But. . .they do it in a way that blatantly ignores the founders’ love for liberty and hatred of unchecked tyranny."
new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/the-lawyer...
new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/the-lawyer...
The Lawyers Defending Trump’s Tariffs Know They’re Un-American. Here’s How We Can Tell
Legal scholars who cherry pick American history to ignore the American revolution aren’t making an accidental oversight
new-ideal.aynrand.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM
"Defenders of the president’s new powers may seek to justify his tariffs by citing details of English history or obscure American pamphlets. But. . .they do it in a way that blatantly ignores the founders’ love for liberty and hatred of unchecked tyranny."
new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/the-lawyer...
new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/the-lawyer...
The oral arguments about Trump's tariffs exposed so many ways in which the emperor has no clothes.
Trump’s Un-American, Unconstitutional Tariff Scheme
The Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments over the legality and constitutionality of Trump’s tariffs. Ben Bayer and Robertas Bakula examine the key arguments by the President’s team and expose their un-American hostility to the rule of law.
The Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments over the legality and constitutionality of Trump’s tariffs. Ben Bayer and Robertas Bakula examine the key arguments by the President’s team and expose their un-American hostility to the rule of law.
Trump’s Un-American, Unconstitutional Tariff Scheme
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
The oral arguments about Trump's tariffs exposed so many ways in which the emperor has no clothes.
Republishing another classic New Ideal piece.
Ayn Rand's critique of liberals differs radically from the criticisms leveled by conservatives—a group she is often wrongly lumped in with. (Originally published 4/12/2023.) buff.ly/XuJYcSj
📷: Bettmann / via Getty Images
📷: Bettmann / via Getty Images
Ayn Rand’s Devastating Critique of ‘Liberals’
Rand evaluated the fundamental moral-political goals of “liberals,” which they themselves refused to face
buff.ly
November 17, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Republishing another classic New Ideal piece.
Here Samantha Watkins and I dissect one of the bigger scandals of the incoming Mamdani administration that not nearly enough people are talking about.
youtu.be/A1sggf9exTQ?...
youtu.be/A1sggf9exTQ?...
Mamdani's Socialist War on Gifted Kids
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Here Samantha Watkins and I dissect one of the bigger scandals of the incoming Mamdani administration that not nearly enough people are talking about.
youtu.be/A1sggf9exTQ?...
youtu.be/A1sggf9exTQ?...
Here's a discussion I had with Mike Mazza, Tristan de Liege and Professor Jim Lennox about a fascinating book on the questions in philosophy of biology that condition a naturalistic value theory
The Origin of Life, Agency & Purpose: Terrence Deacon's Theory
Jeremy Sherman’s book, Neither Ghost Nor Machine: The Emergence and Nature of Selves, introduces readers to neuroanthropologist Terrence Deacon’s theory of the origins of life, purpose, and normativity.
Jeremy Sherman’s book, Neither Ghost Nor Machine: The Emergence and Nature of Selves, introduces readers to neuroanthropologist Terrence Deacon’s theory of the origins of life, purpose, and normativity.
The Origin of Life, Agency & Purpose: Terrence Deacon's Theory
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Here's a discussion I had with Mike Mazza, Tristan de Liege and Professor Jim Lennox about a fascinating book on the questions in philosophy of biology that condition a naturalistic value theory
Onkar Ghate and I discuss the “bothsidesing” charge, when it makes sense and when it doesn’t.
youtu.be/id3kFduLXVg?...
youtu.be/id3kFduLXVg?...
When It’s Rational to Blame “Both Sides”
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Onkar Ghate and I discuss the “bothsidesing” charge, when it makes sense and when it doesn’t.
youtu.be/id3kFduLXVg?...
youtu.be/id3kFduLXVg?...
From me in OCR: "The president [needs] to impose powerful embargoes against specific military belligerents during declared wars. . . . [But] Trump’s tariffs. . . have been imposed indefinitely against. . . closely allied peaceful nations."
www.ocregister.com/2025/11/03/t...
www.ocregister.com/2025/11/03/t...
The president has no ‘foreign policy’ discretion to impose sweeping global tariffs
The president’s real foreign policy discretion over trade applies only in wartime against specific belligerents—not in perpetuity and even against our allies.
www.ocregister.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:19 PM
From me in OCR: "The president [needs] to impose powerful embargoes against specific military belligerents during declared wars. . . . [But] Trump’s tariffs. . . have been imposed indefinitely against. . . closely allied peaceful nations."
www.ocregister.com/2025/11/03/t...
www.ocregister.com/2025/11/03/t...
If you agree with the outrage over this video, over the fact that Kevin Roberts condemns antisemitism but is unwilling to condemn Tucker Carlson for platforming it, there are some lessons about the nature of justice. 🧵
1. A watershed moment.
The President of the Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action, Kevin Roberts , has announced that the organization is standing by Tucker Carlson in the aftermath of Tucker’s interview with neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes.
This isn’t Kevin bending his knee to Trump…this is something new
The President of the Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action, Kevin Roberts , has announced that the organization is standing by Tucker Carlson in the aftermath of Tucker’s interview with neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes.
This isn’t Kevin bending his knee to Trump…this is something new
November 1, 2025 at 9:16 PM
If you agree with the outrage over this video, over the fact that Kevin Roberts condemns antisemitism but is unwilling to condemn Tucker Carlson for platforming it, there are some lessons about the nature of justice. 🧵
Somewhat lengthier version of the piece I just published in Skeptic.
Secular commentators should not let the Epstein scandal or a new Pope distract them from the Church’s historic crimes.
📷: Walter Bibikow / via Getty Images
📷: Walter Bibikow / via Getty Images
Never Forget – or Forgive – the Ongoing Catholic Church Sex Abuse Scandal
Secular commentators should not let the Epstein scandal or a new Pope distract them from the Church’s historic crimes
new-ideal.aynrand.org
October 29, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Somewhat lengthier version of the piece I just published in Skeptic.
In Skeptic Magazine I ask (invoking the ghost of Epstein), “If it’s outrageous when money and power enable impunity for horrible crimes, shouldn’t it be even more outrageous when the pretense of moral authority enables someone to commit even worse crime?”
www.skeptic.com/article/neve...
www.skeptic.com/article/neve...
Never Forget … or Forgive: The Ongoing Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Scandal
The sexual abuse scandal surrounding Jeffrey Epstein is especially outrageous inasmuch as he used his political connections (and money) to escape prosecution for so many years. But if it’s outrageous ...
www.skeptic.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:15 PM
In Skeptic Magazine I ask (invoking the ghost of Epstein), “If it’s outrageous when money and power enable impunity for horrible crimes, shouldn’t it be even more outrageous when the pretense of moral authority enables someone to commit even worse crime?”
www.skeptic.com/article/neve...
www.skeptic.com/article/neve...
Lengthy but in-depth discussion of a fascinating book by
@wiringthebrain.bsky.social on free will. I liked a lot about the book.
@wiringthebrain.bsky.social on free will. I liked a lot about the book.
Integrating Science and Free Will
Kevin Mitchell’s book Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will, offers an interesting and unique exploration of how free will relates to biology and neuroscience.
Kevin Mitchell’s book Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will, offers an interesting and unique exploration of how free will relates to biology and neuroscience.
Integrating Science and Free Will
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
October 24, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Lengthy but in-depth discussion of a fascinating book by
@wiringthebrain.bsky.social on free will. I liked a lot about the book.
@wiringthebrain.bsky.social on free will. I liked a lot about the book.
Here Nikos Sotirakopoulos, Ibis Slade, and Sam Weaver compare two very different critiques of so-called "woke" ideology (i.e. egalitarian collectivism), what we can learn from each, and why a deeper, more value-driven response is needed.
Understanding "Woke" Ideology: Books by Yascha Mounk and Chris Rufo
In “The Identity Trap” and “America’s Cultural Revolution,” Yascha Mounk and Christopher Rufo seek to explain the rise of “woke” ideology and how to oppose it. Yet each ends up embracing fundamental premises of this worldview.
In “The Identity Trap” and “America’s Cultural Revolution,” Yascha Mounk and Christopher Rufo seek to explain the rise of “woke” ideology and how to oppose it. Yet each ends up embracing fundamental premises of this worldview.
Understanding "Woke" Ideology: Books by Yascha Mounk and Chris Rufo
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
October 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Here Nikos Sotirakopoulos, Ibis Slade, and Sam Weaver compare two very different critiques of so-called "woke" ideology (i.e. egalitarian collectivism), what we can learn from each, and why a deeper, more value-driven response is needed.
High-level summary of why "genocide" charges against Israel are absurd:
1) The paradigm case of genocide was the Holocaust. Germany was not attacked by Jews, it attacked them.
vs. Israel, which was attacked by Gazans, on Oct 7 , and has been attacked relentlessly for decades.
1) The paradigm case of genocide was the Holocaust. Germany was not attacked by Jews, it attacked them.
vs. Israel, which was attacked by Gazans, on Oct 7 , and has been attacked relentlessly for decades.
My statement on the two year anniversary of October 7, 2023.
October 8, 2025 at 5:36 AM
High-level summary of why "genocide" charges against Israel are absurd:
1) The paradigm case of genocide was the Holocaust. Germany was not attacked by Jews, it attacked them.
vs. Israel, which was attacked by Gazans, on Oct 7 , and has been attacked relentlessly for decades.
1) The paradigm case of genocide was the Holocaust. Germany was not attacked by Jews, it attacked them.
vs. Israel, which was attacked by Gazans, on Oct 7 , and has been attacked relentlessly for decades.
For the Oct 7 anniversary, Tristan de Leige and I philosophically analyze -- and skewer -- the absurd claims that Israel has engaged in "genocide."
Is Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza?
Claims of Israel committing genocide in Gaza have become mainstream, but are they supported by evidence?
Claims of Israel committing genocide in Gaza have become mainstream, but are they supported by evidence?
Is Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza?
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
October 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
For the Oct 7 anniversary, Tristan de Leige and I philosophically analyze -- and skewer -- the absurd claims that Israel has engaged in "genocide."
From Onkar Ghate and me in @ocropinion:
"To intimidate the victim to self-censor. . . . has the advantage of giving the opponents of free speech an easy cover: they can pretend their victims are acting voluntarily."
www.ocregister.com/2025/09/26/w...
"To intimidate the victim to self-censor. . . . has the advantage of giving the opponents of free speech an easy cover: they can pretend their victims are acting voluntarily."
www.ocregister.com/2025/09/26/w...
What happened to ABC and Jimmy Kimmel wasn’t censorship. It was worse.
If we don’t want to lose our freedom, we must abandon these tribal loyalties.
www.ocregister.com
September 26, 2025 at 10:40 PM
From Onkar Ghate and me in @ocropinion:
"To intimidate the victim to self-censor. . . . has the advantage of giving the opponents of free speech an easy cover: they can pretend their victims are acting voluntarily."
www.ocregister.com/2025/09/26/w...
"To intimidate the victim to self-censor. . . . has the advantage of giving the opponents of free speech an easy cover: they can pretend their victims are acting voluntarily."
www.ocregister.com/2025/09/26/w...
Here Mike Mazza and I analyze the week’s debate about free speech and Jimmy Kimmel.
Trump vs. Kimmel: The Tribal Weaponization of the FCC against Free Speech
Though Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension by ABC has now been reversed, the threats issued by FCC commissioner Brendan Carr and President Trump were flagrant violations of the right to free speech.
Though Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension by ABC has now been reversed, the threats issued by FCC commissioner Brendan Carr and President Trump were flagrant violations of the right to free speech.
Trump vs. Kimmel: The Tribal Weaponization of the FCC against Free Speech
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
September 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Here Mike Mazza and I analyze the week’s debate about free speech and Jimmy Kimmel.
Excellent discussion of the intellectual trends that are stoking the flames of political violence in every corner of American politics.
Charlie Kirk’s Murder: Who Normalized Political Violence?
Charlie Kirk’s assassination is yet another instance in a rising trend of political violence. What’s driving this crisis, and what must be done to stop it?
youtu.be/0UIpOG0GSL4
Charlie Kirk’s assassination is yet another instance in a rising trend of political violence. What’s driving this crisis, and what must be done to stop it?
youtu.be/0UIpOG0GSL4
Charlie Kirk’s Murder: Who Normalized Political Violence?
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
September 13, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Excellent discussion of the intellectual trends that are stoking the flames of political violence in every corner of American politics.
Here Robertas Bakula and I tackle the Trump administration's morally corrupt antitrust program -- which it has borrowed unapologetically from Biden.
Why Trump's Antitrust Has No “Monopoly” on Moral Corruption
From Google to Visa, the current administration is targeting productive industries with brutally arbitrary antitrust litigation. Is Trump’s enforcement of these laws corrupt, or is the arbitrariness built into the laws themselves?
From Google to Visa, the current administration is targeting productive industries with brutally arbitrary antitrust litigation. Is Trump’s enforcement of these laws corrupt, or is the arbitrariness built into the laws themselves?
Why Trump's Antitrust Has No “Monopoly” on Moral Corruption
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
September 4, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Here Robertas Bakula and I tackle the Trump administration's morally corrupt antitrust program -- which it has borrowed unapologetically from Biden.
Here Nikos Sotirakopoulos and I challenge the stale and conventional explanations offered by thinkers on the right for the ongoing popularity of socialism.
How NOT to Explain Mamdani’s Socialist Revival
The Wall Street Journal recently tried to explain Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. But their explanations betray an unwillingness to challenge how their own moral premises fuel the ongoing appeal of socialism.
The Wall Street Journal recently tried to explain Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. But their explanations betray an unwillingness to challenge how their own moral premises fuel the ongoing appeal of socialism.
How NOT to Explain Mamdani’s Socialist Revival
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
August 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Here Nikos Sotirakopoulos and I challenge the stale and conventional explanations offered by thinkers on the right for the ongoing popularity of socialism.
We're happy to begin republishing some timeless New Ideal articles on the orange site, starting with this classic that informs a lot of my own writing on the subject of morality.
"Reason, freedom and the pursuit of personal profit—if we can learn to embrace these three ideas as ideals, a magnificent future awaits."
Our Moral Code Is Out of Date
New Ideal is pleased to republish perennial articles from newideal.aynrand.org on Substack.
new-ideal.aynrand.org
August 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
We're happy to begin republishing some timeless New Ideal articles on the orange site, starting with this classic that informs a lot of my own writing on the subject of morality.
This is the course I help teach. We're starting again in the fall with a new and improved set of lectures. Hoping to see many of you there.
Ayn Rand said that the most complete presentation of her philosophy was in her fiction. In our upcoming course, “Objectivism Through Ayn Rand’s Fiction,” you’ll immerse yourself in the worlds of heightened clarity she created for the purpose of projecting a moral ideal. Explore now: buff.ly/z8thr0i
August 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
This is the course I help teach. We're starting again in the fall with a new and improved set of lectures. Hoping to see many of you there.
Relevant to the controversy about @genagorlin.bsky.social's tweet, here's a delightful podcast I just did with Samantha Watkins about why it sure can be rationally selfish to have kids--but there's no damn unconditional duty to do it.
Was Ayn Rand Anti-Family?
Samantha Watkins and Ben Bayer discuss the common criticism that Rand is “anti-family” and analyze its roots.
youtu.be/zwT-unSQu_8
Samantha Watkins and Ben Bayer discuss the common criticism that Rand is “anti-family” and analyze its roots.
youtu.be/zwT-unSQu_8
Was Ayn Rand Anti-Family?
YouTube video by Ayn Rand Institute
youtu.be
August 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Relevant to the controversy about @genagorlin.bsky.social's tweet, here's a delightful podcast I just did with Samantha Watkins about why it sure can be rationally selfish to have kids--but there's no damn unconditional duty to do it.
The inability to embody the ideals you preach sends a powerful cognitive message to others. See a dramatical illustration in @PNikmand's story of breaking free from the shackles of Islam:
outliving.substack.com/p/what-i-saw...
outliving.substack.com/p/what-i-saw...
What I Saw When I Broke the Rules
The story of how I left Islam at eleven despite being born in its epicenter
outliving.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The inability to embody the ideals you preach sends a powerful cognitive message to others. See a dramatical illustration in @PNikmand's story of breaking free from the shackles of Islam:
outliving.substack.com/p/what-i-saw...
outliving.substack.com/p/what-i-saw...