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'''Stefan Basil Molyneux''' ({{IPAc-en|s|t|ɛ|ˈ|f|ɑː|n|_|ˈ|m|ɑː|l|ɪ|n|j|uː}}; born September 24, 1966) is an Irish-born Canadian ]. Molyneux's areas of interest include ] ], ], and familial relationship issues. He has ] eight downloadable works, and his essays have been disseminated on libertarian websites through ]. He has spoken at several libertarian conferences and has appeared on television, radio, and podcasts to discuss his views. Molyneux formerly worked in the software industry and now describes himself as a philosopher.<ref name=FDR-About>{{cite web|title=Freedomain Radio > About|url=http://freedomainradio.com/about/|accessdate=July 8, 2014|quote=I left my career as a software entrepreneur and executive to pursue philosophy full time through my work here at Freedomain Radio. ... I am a rigorous philosopher, and I will always bow to reason and evidence.}}</ref> '''Stefan Basil Molyneux''' ({{IPAc-en|s|t|ɛ|ˈ|f|ɑː|n|_|ˈ|m|ɑː|l|ɪ|n|j|uː}}; born September 24, 1966) is an Irish-born Canadian ]. Molyneux's areas of interest include ] ], ], and familial relationship issues. He has ] eight downloadable works, and his essays have been disseminated on libertarian websites through ]. He has spoken at several libertarian conferences and has appeared on television, radio, and podcasts to discuss his views. Molyneux formerly worked in the software industry and now describes himself as a philosopher.<ref name=FDR-About>{{cite web|title=Freedomain Radio > About|url=http://freedomainradio.com/about/|accessdate=July 8, 2014|quote=I left my career as a software entrepreneur and executive to pursue philosophy full time through my work here at Freedomain Radio. ... I am a rigorous philosopher, and I will always bow to reason and evidence.}}</ref> Critics have characterized Molyneux' philosophy as poorly reasoned and compared him to a cult leader.


==Background == ==Background ==
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In 2012, libertarian philosopher ] gave a critical examination of Molyneux's 2007 ''Universally Preferable Behaviour: A Rational Proof for Secular Ethics'' in ''The Mises Review'', stating, "He fails, and fails miserably. His arguments are often preposterously bad."<ref>http://mises.org/daily/6101/The-Molyneux-Problem</ref> In 2012, libertarian philosopher ] gave a critical examination of Molyneux's 2007 ''Universally Preferable Behaviour: A Rational Proof for Secular Ethics'' in ''The Mises Review'', stating, "He fails, and fails miserably. His arguments are often preposterously bad."<ref>http://mises.org/daily/6101/The-Molyneux-Problem</ref>


===Encouraging children to abandon their families===
=== Familial relationships ===
Molyneux refers to the family that people are born into as their family of origin or "FOO". Molynuex suggests that, the family of origin relationships may not necessarily be desirable and in some circumstances may even be detrimental and thus for those individuals having suffered abusive childhood relationships it would be advantageous for them to sever such involuntary relationships as adults, or "deFOO".<ref name=Guardian-2008>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/nov/15/family-relationships-fdr-defoo-cult |title=You will never see me again |work=] |accessdate=January 7, 2009 |first=Kate |last=Hilpern |date=November 15, 2008}}</ref> In this way, he views all adult relationships as being voluntary and discretionary rather than obligatory. According to a 2008 article in '']'', both Molyneux and his wife have deFOOd.<ref name=Guardian-2008/> Molyneux refers to the family that people are born into as their family of origin or "FOO". Molynuex suggests that, the family of origin relationships may not necessarily be desirable and in some circumstances may even be detrimental and thus for those individuals having suffered abusive childhood relationships it would be advantageous for them to sever such involuntary relationships as adults, or "deFOO".<ref name=Guardian-2008>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/nov/15/family-relationships-fdr-defoo-cult |title=You will never see me again |work=] |accessdate=January 7, 2009 |first=Kate |last=Hilpern |date=November 15, 2008}}</ref> In this way, he views all adult relationships as being voluntary and discretionary rather than obligatory. According to a 2008 article in '']'', both Molyneux and his wife have deFOOd.<ref name=Guardian-2008/>


Revision as of 07:04, 23 December 2014

Not to be confused with Stephen Molyneux.
Stefan Molyneux
Stefan Molyneux in 2014
BornStefan Basil Molyneux
(1966-09-24) September 24, 1966 (age 58)
Athlone, Ireland
NationalityCanadian
Alma materM.A., University of Toronto
B.A., McGill University
Occupation(s)public speaker, host of Freedomain Radio, Podcast
Websitefreedomainradio.com

Stefan Basil Molyneux (/stɛˈfɑːn ˈmɑːlɪnjuː/; born September 24, 1966) is an Irish-born Canadian blogger. Molyneux's areas of interest include libertarian political philosophy, cryptocurrency, and familial relationship issues. He has self-published eight downloadable works, and his essays have been disseminated on libertarian websites through web syndication. He has spoken at several libertarian conferences and has appeared on television, radio, and podcasts to discuss his views. Molyneux formerly worked in the software industry and now describes himself as a philosopher. Critics have characterized Molyneux' philosophy as poorly reasoned and compared him to a cult leader.

Background

Molyneux was born in Ireland and lived in England and Africa before moving to Canada when he was about 12 years old. After attending the Glendon College of York University, where he was a member of Theatre Glendon and the Debating Society, he attended the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal. Molyneux received a B.A. in History from McGill University in 1991 and an M.A. in History from University of Toronto in 1993. Molyneux is a former actor.

In early 1995, he and his brother Hugh founded Caribou Systems Corporation, a Toronto-based provider of environmental database software. Stefan was the salesman for the company. The company was sold in 2000.

Molyneux's first fiction book Revolutions, set in late 19th century Russia, was completed in 1991 and published in 2002 by PublishAmerica, a Baltimore-based print-on-demand service. His play Seduction (adapted from Turgenev's Fathers and Sons) appeared on stage in Toronto. His co-written 1998 short film After, based on his original short story about a soldier returning home from war, was a top 10 finalist at the Hollywood Film Festival and has aired on CBC and WTN.

"Freedomain Radio" podcast

The Greatest Gift in the Entire Universe Molyneux answers a common question from a Freedomain Radio listener.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

In 2005, Molyneux began a podcast called Freedomain Radio (FDR). It was a Top 10 Finalist in the 2007 and 2008 Podcast Awards in the Education category. Molyneux later used the same name to launch a website on which he distributes his own writings, hosts podcast archives, and provides an internet forum for FDR listeners. Molyneux also posts content on his YouTube channel, which as of June 2014 has over 1,500 videos, 162,000 subscribers, and 33 million channel views. Audio versions of new content continue to be published in podcast form, of which there are now over 2,700 produced. Molyneux also produces videos and commentary on current events, and he presents a weekly call-in show on which listeners can ask questions or discuss personal issues. These call-in shows have occasionally been guest-hosted men's movement activist Warren Farrell and unschooling advocate Dayna Martin. Molyneux funds his efforts by soliciting direct donations from listeners and viewers.

Molyneux conducted interviews and un-moderated debates with guests including Noam Chomsky, anarcho-libertarian theorist Walter Block, Zeitgeist founder Peter Joseph, libertarian economist David Friedman, psychological development and addiction specialist Gabor Maté, developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik, child psychologist Peter Gray, Socratic journalist Jan Helfeld, Harvard economics lecturer and Cato Institute fellow Jeffrey Miron, intellectual property attorney Stephan Kinsella, Austrian School economist Robert P. Murphy, and Divorce Corp director Joseph Sorge.After the fact, Peter Joseph expressed concerns regarding the conduct of his "debate" with Molyneux.

Jeffrey Tucker of the Ludwig von Mises Institute has described Molyneux as "probably the single most influential libertarian thinker of our times" for his ability to teach young people in the digital age.

Public appearances

Speaking at The Next Web 2014

Molyneux has spoken at various libertarian events including the New Hampshire Liberty Forum, Liberty Fest NYC, Las Vegas FreedomFest, Libertopia, and PorcFest.

Molyneux has been a commentator on the RT television programs Adam vs The Man, The Keiser Report, and Breaking the Set. He's been interviewed by ReasonTV and The Alex Jones Show. Molyneux has been a frequent guest host of the Peter Schiff Show since 2012.

In 2014, Molyneux spoke at the Texas Bitcoin Conference, the Toronto 2014 Bitcoin Expo, and The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam.

He spoke on the topics of circumcision and maternal parenting at the June 2014 International Conference on Men’s Issues in Detroit.

Views and criticism

Stateless society

Molyneux theorizes that within the theoretical context of anarcho-capitalism and a stateless society, private "dispute resolution organizations" (DRO's) could be empowered to enforce contracts and resolve disputes. In theory, DROs could coordinate services previously provided by governments related to private defense, insurance, and courts.

Universal and natural justice

Molynuex suggests that, in the ideal of a libertarian society, moral universalism would naturally create legally and socially binding relationships between people.

In 2012, libertarian philosopher David Gordon gave a critical examination of Molyneux's 2007 Universally Preferable Behaviour: A Rational Proof for Secular Ethics in The Mises Review, stating, "He fails, and fails miserably. His arguments are often preposterously bad."

Encouraging children to abandon their families

Molyneux refers to the family that people are born into as their family of origin or "FOO". Molynuex suggests that, the family of origin relationships may not necessarily be desirable and in some circumstances may even be detrimental and thus for those individuals having suffered abusive childhood relationships it would be advantageous for them to sever such involuntary relationships as adults, or "deFOO". In this way, he views all adult relationships as being voluntary and discretionary rather than obligatory. According to a 2008 article in The Guardian, both Molyneux and his wife have deFOOd.

In 2009, Molyneux was called the leader of a "therapy cult following Freedomain Radio community member Tom Weed breaking off all contact with his family." In April 2008, Weed had called in to the show asking about his veganism and his feeling of disgust towards people that eat meat. Molyneux suggested that this disgust could have come from witnessing an authority figure that was cruel to animals. Weed responded by describing memories of his father being verbally and physically cruel to the family cat, causing him to feel intimidated by the father, and then described his emotional detachment toward his mother and the rest of his family.

The following month, Weed left a note stating he no longer wanted contact and left home. It was reported that, of the 50,000 regular listeners at the time, about 20 FDR members had also "deFOOed", and that many families chose not to come forward to avoid alienating their children further.

A representative of the British Cult Information Centre said they were following FDR, and noted that one sign of cults was that they cut people off from their families. Molyneux responded by saying that had he advised a wife to leave an abusive husband, he would not be accused of being a cult leader."

In 2012 the College of Psychologists of Ontario found Molyneux's spouse, a licensed psychologist, "guilty of professional misconduct" because she used Molyneux's podcast, "to counsel people to emulate her and sever ties with their families." (to deFOO)

Alleged listening in on confidential therapy sessions

According to The Globe and Mail, Molyneux has been sued for allegedly listening in on confidential therapy sessions conducted by his wife, without the permission of her patients. The civil complaint against Molyneux states that in a 2006 podcast, Molyneux boasted to his fans about listening in on the sessions.

Bibliography

Fiction

Also

References

  1. ^ "Freedomain Radio > About". Retrieved July 8, 2014. I left my career as a software entrepreneur and executive to pursue philosophy full time through my work here at Freedomain Radio. ... I am a rigorous philosopher, and I will always bow to reason and evidence.
  2. ^ "Author Stefan Molyneux To Russia, with love". The Mississauga News. Mississauga, Ontario. June 1, 2003. p. Arts & Entertainment: 15. ISSN 0834-6585. OCLC 290997481. Retrieved June 18, 2014 – via NewsBank (Access World News). Molyneux is an Irish-born author who grew up in England and Africa before coming to Canada 25 years ago.
  3. Johnson, Phil (February 23, 1988). "Horrors! Dracula's at Glendon College". Toronto Star, The. Ontario, Canada. p. Neighbors: N17. Retrieved June 18, 2014 – via NewsBank (Access World News).
  4. da Costa, Cathy (February 8, 1988). "World Champions at Glendon" (PDF). Pro Tem. York University/Glendon College. p. 4. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  5. ^ Burg, Robert (May 26, 1997). "Their software keeps tabs on site data". Toronto Star, The. Ontario, Canada. p. Business: D1. Retrieved June 18, 2014 – via NewsBank (Access World News).
  6. ^ Ha, Tu Thanh (December 12, 2008). "How a cyberphilosopher convinced followers to cut off family". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  7. ^ Hilpern, Kate (November 15, 2008). "You will never see me again". The Guardian. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
  8. "Blue292 acquires Caribou Systems" (Press release). Durham, NC: Blue292. January 28, 2002. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  9. "Our Staff > Stefan Molyneux". Casey Research. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  10. "Publish America Website". http://www.publishamerica.com/facts.html. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); External link in |website= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  11. "Hollywood Discovery Awards Finalists (Short Subject Film Finalists)". Hollywood Film Festival. 1998. Archived from the original on 1999-02-02. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  12. "2007 People's Choice Podcast Awardees". Podcast Awards. Podcast Connect Inc. Archived from the original on September 8, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  13. "2008 Podcast Awards Winners!". Podcast Awards. Podcast Connect Inc. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  14. "Stefan Molyneux YouTube Channel Stats". VidStatsX.com. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  15. Freedomain Radio > Podcasts. Freedomain Radio. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  16. Lane, Carol-Ann (June 2013). "Using Video Technology to Address Boys' Literacy Gap and Connect the Male Voice in Gender Dynamics" (PDF). International Journal of Technology and Inclusive Education. 2 (1). Infonomics Society: 146. ISSN 2046-4568. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  17. Martin, Dayna (March 13, 2013). "Dayna Martin Hosts the Freedomain Radio Sunday Call In Show!". Dayna Martin: Author, Speaker, Voice for Change. daynamartin.com. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  18. Horsager, David (2012). The Trust Edge: How top leaders gain faster results, deeper relationships, and a stronger bottom line. New York: Free Press. pp. 25–26. ISBN 978-1-4767-1137-9. OCLC 820783989.
  19. "Audio & Video". Chomsky.info. Retrieved May 31, 2014. The Race War of Drug Prohibition (interview with Stefan Molyneux, of Freedomain Radio). YouTube. December 24, 2013.
  20. Block, Walter E. (December 9, 2013). "Walter Block and Stephan [sic] Molyneux debate on spanking (using violence against) children". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  21. Joseph, Peter (September 26, 2013). "Post Debate Review – Peter Joseph & Stefan Molyneux" (video) (Interview). Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  22. Carden, Art (June 25, 2013). "Parental Economics and Risk: A Couple of Reading Suggestions". Library of Economics and Liberty. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  23. Molyneux, Stefan (February 24, 2010). "The Biology, Morality and Politics of Addiction – Dr Gabor Maté – The Freedomain Radio Interview" (video) (Interview). Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  24. Molyneux, Stefan (December 8, 2009). ""The Philosophical Baby" – Dr Alison Gopnik Interviewed on Freedomain Radio" (video) (Interview). Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  25. Molyneux, Stefan (May 24, 2013). "Free To Learn – Dr. Peter Gray Interviewed by Stefan Molyneux" (video) (Interview). Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  26. Molyneux, Stefan (September 2, 2009). Anarchism Versus Minarchism – Stefan Molyneux & Jan Helfeld (video). Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  27. "Jeffrey A. Miron discusses the war on drugs on Freedomain Radio w/ Stefan Basil Molyneux". Cato Institute. February 23, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  28. Kinsella, Stephan (July 3, 2010). "Libertarian Parenting – A Freedomain Radio Conversation". StephanKinsella.com. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  29. Murphy, Robert; Molyneux, Stefan. "Booms and Busts, Mises vs Keynes – And Religion As a Bulwark against Tyranny". www.youtube.com. Freedomain Radio. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  30. "Director Joseph Sorge Interviewed by Stefan Molyneux". Divorce Corp. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cnuRRWZxSE
  32. Kinsella, Stephan (March 12, 2012). "Jeff Tucker on Reddit's 'Ask Me Anything'". The Libertarian Standard. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  33. "Government philosophy, Screw the Pundits, Free Speech, Revolutions, Love-a-lutions, Show Dedication". Adam vs. The Man. RT. Retrieved April 12, 2011. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  34. Keiser, Max. "On the Edge with Stefan Molyneux". The Keiser Report. RT. Retrieved August 8, 2011. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  35. Martin, Abby (February 19, 2013). "Bradley Manning, Keystone pipeline, and anarchism". Breaking the Set. RT. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  36. Welch, Matt; Oppenheimer, Tracy (October 6, 2012). "Free Domain [sic] Radio's Stefan Molyneux on the Inevitable Growth of the State". ReasonTV (Interview). Reason. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  37. Jones, Alex. "Monday 7-11-2011 – The Alex Jones Show with Stefan Molyneux". The Alex Jones Show. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  38. The Wisdom of Socrates with Peter Boghossian and Stefan Molyneux (video). The Peter Schiff Show. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  39. The Peter Schiff Show! Hosted by Stefan Molyneux of Freedomain Radio (video). Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  40. Kinsella, Stephan. "KOL106 Peter Schiff Show: Obamacare, Patent Reform". StephanKinsella.com. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  41. Hortex, Alice (April 14, 2014). "The Psychology of Money: Stefan Molyneux at Texas BTC Conference". Cointelegraph. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  42. Huber, Suzanne (April 16, 2014). "Toronto Hosts Canada's First Bitcoin Expo". Techvibes. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  43. "Bitcoin Expo Announces Conference Highlights, Sponsors and Exhibitors for Toronto April 11–13 Conference" (Press release). Marketwired. March 28, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  44. Sawers, Paul. "How cryptocurrencies can curb unsustainable growth in government power (interview with Stefan Molyneux)". The Next Web. Retrieved April 16, 2014. Meet Stefan Molyneux, the podcaster, broadcaster, philosopher and host of Freedomain Radio. Molyneux is one of the speakers at the TNW Europe Conference in Amsterdam next week, where he'll discuss the shifting sands of Western political power over the centuries, the rise of centralized banking, government-controlled currency, and the recent surge in cryptocurrencies.
  45. Molyneux, Stefan. The Cryptocurrency Revolution (video) (Speech). The Next Web. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  46. AVFM. "Stefan Molyneux to speak at International Conference on Men's Issues in Detroit". A Voice for Men. www.avoiceformen.com/allbulletins/stefan-molyneux-to-speak-at-international-conference-on-mens-issues-in-detroit/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  47. Goldwag, Arthur (June 29, 2014). "First International Conference on Men's Issues: Day 2". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  48. Molyneux, Stefan (October 24, 2005). "The Stateless Society An Examination of Alternatives". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  49. Awuku, Christopher (February 11, 2007). "DRO' Protection: An Example of How It Could Work". Strike The Root. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  50. http://mises.org/daily/6101/The-Molyneux-Problem
  51. ^ Whipple, Tom (January 10, 2009). "The mother and son torn apart by web 'cult' that destroys families". The Times. London, England. pp. News: 34, 35. Retrieved July 8, 2014 – via NewsBank (Access World News).
  52. http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/therapist-who-told-podcast-listeners-to-shun-their-families-reprimanded/article4846791/?service=mobile
  53. Ha, Tu Thanh (December 19, 2014). "Controversial podcaster listened in on therapist wife and clients: lawsuit." The Globe and Mail.

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