Dr. Leonard Peikoff’s Courses and Lectures

Last year, I announced that Dr. Peikoff had given me permission to publicize and deliver his courses and lectures. At that time, I wrote:

“When I studied Dr. Peikoff’s courses almost 40 years ago, I was thrilled by the knowledge and delighted with the clarity, certitude, and wit of his delivery. I had taken hundreds of courses during my life, but none that compared to his. It is through them that I became an Objectivist. They changed my life.”

I continued:

“At the time, I thought how wonderful it would be if others could have access to this vital knowledge—that was the reason I started ARI Campus (now ARI U/Ayn Rand University), and it is my reason now for wanting to professionally publicize and disseminate Dr. Peikoff’s valuable courses worldwide.”

I am motivated and I have the money to vigorously and professionally market Leonard Peikoff’s courses. I have $1.5 million set aside to do so.

When I received Dr. Peikoff’s permission, I immediately contacted Yaron Brook and ARI and asked them to deliver all the courses and ancillary materials to me.

They provided bits and pieces of old content, but not the full set of materials that Dr. Peikoff asked them to deliver. Unfortunately, after a long, frustrating attempt to obtain the materials, it became clear that Yaron/ARI would not honor Dr. Peikoff’s request.

So, I’m sorry to report that, for now, I cannot deliver Dr. Peikoff’s courses as I had originally planned. To provide some context, here is what I wrote to Yaron a week before posting this (I’ve received no reply):

January 26, 2021

Dear Yaron,

As you know, I received permissions from Leonard to publicize and deliver his courses and lectures. You didn’t agree with Leonard granting such permission, but he did grant permission to me over your opposition.

For many months, I asked you to forward all of Leonard’s courses and lectures (in particular all of the enhanced courses that I had paid for that were being run on ARI Campus). Many emails were exchanged, culminating in my summary of July 10, 2020 (attached), and later on July 24, 2020 (attached). (I do not intend to make public these emails unless you continue to allege “lies” and “missing context”, etc.)

While some “old” materials were provided, you refused to send the main materials I needed unless I submitted to your (and Onkar’s) regulation and control. As you well knew, I never would have agreed to that. I never did receive the needed courses and materials.

I now want to conclude my correspondence and efforts with you and ARI regarding this matter. In accordance with Leonard’s wishes, I’m asking you one final time to send me all his materials.

I made a public announcement that I had been granted permissions (I received a lot of excited responses to my announcement.)

I wanted to approach you first (as a courtesy) before withdrawing my public announcement that I would be publishing and delivering Leonard’s courses, and before considering alternative costly pursuits.

Yaron, Objectivism’s future will largely depend upon delivering substantial courses and thoroughly educating people in the basics of Objectivism. No other courses or materials have the quality of Leonard’s courses. I think most Objectivists in the world became Objectivists as a result of Leonard’s courses. (I know you don’t have the same commitment as I do and have never wanted to deliver Leonard’s courses—see your email of December 28, 2016.

Leonard is the Theophrastus of Objectivism. He has a “divine style of expression”. Ayn Rand is the genius philosopher. Leonard is the masterful teacher. Both are needed. Many Objectivists who truly understand the philosophy came to understand it through Leonard’s courses (including myself).

For you and ARI to obstruct my efforts to publicize and deliver Leonard’s courses would be a crime against Objectivism. Objectivism will be (and is already) held back.

Please rethink your position.

Best,
Carl B. Barney

If you value Leonard Peikoff and his courses, perhaps you will speak up and try to persuade Yaron Brook to rethink his position.

I welcome your comments.