Who: Dr. Tara Smith, professor of philosophy at the University of Texas and a long-time speaker for the Ayn Rand Institute.

What: A talk and Q & A examining Ayn Rand's view of justice and how it can enable each of us to live more successful, happy lives.

Where: Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Blvd., Irvine, CA

When: Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at 7:00 PM

The public and media are invited. Admission is FREE.

Summary: It is commonly believed that to be a just person, i.e., one who treats others fairly, one must be selfless. Ayn Rand demonstrated that nothing could be further from the truth. She held that justice is a selfish virtue. 

In "Passing Judgment: Ayn Rand's View of Justice," Dr. Tara Smith will explore Ayn Rand's unique conception of justice. After explaining why it is in one's self-interest to be a just person, Dr. Smith will explore several related topics, including: the emphatic need to judge other people; how today's pervasive egalitarianism is completely anti-justice; and when, if ever, forgiveness and mercy are justified. 

A fuller understanding of the virtue of justice, Dr. Smith believes, can enable each of us to live more successful, happy lives.

Bio: Tara Smith is professor of philosophy at the University of Texas, where she currently holds the Anthem Foundation Fellowship. She is the author of "Moral Rights & Political Freedom;" "Viable Values: A Study of Life as the Root and Reward of Morality;" and "Ayn Rand's Normative Ethics: The Virtuous Egoist."

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Dr. Tara Smith is available for interviews now and after her talk.
Contact: Larry Benson          
E-mail: media@aynrand.org          
Phone: (949) 222-6550, ext. 213

For more information on this talk, please e-mail events@aynrand.org.

For more information on this event and on Objectivism's unique point of view, go to ARI's Web site at www.aynrand.org. Founded in 1985 the Ayn Rand Institute promotes the philosophy of Ayn Rand, author of "Atlas Shrugged" and "The Fountainhead."