Is There a God-Shaped Hole—or a Self-Shaped Hole?

by Craig BiddleAnnouncementsApr 10, 2024

You’ve heard of a “God-shaped hole”—the idea that if you don’t believe in God and accept him into your life, you’ll be deprived of spiritual values such as meaning and purpose.

At LevelUp 2024, I’ll discuss the self-shaped hole: the void resulting from denying the existence of the self (à la Sam Harris)—or failing to revere and develop yourself (as many people do)—or subordinating yourself to a group (via collectivism, tribalism, wokeism) or to an alleged God (as religion prescribes).

Together, we’ll examine the secular nature of the self, focusing on its evidence-based elements and the corresponding values we must understand and embrace in order to be spiritually whole—and thus love our lives to the fullest.

Do yourself a favor. Join me, the other LevelUp speakers, and hundreds of life-loving people from all over the world for the intellectual and social event of the year.

Register Now and Save 40%

Your future self will be glad you did.

See you in Atlanta!

On Solid Ground

On Solid Ground is the hub for content from OSI fellows and affiliates, along with announcements about OSI’s programs and events. Here, you’ll find links to our team’s articles, videos, and other materials published across various platforms. And you’ll discover opportunities to support and engage with our global community.

Latest Blog Posts

Christian Theist vs Objectivist Atheist

by Maddox LocherPhilosophy

Nov 21, 2025

Maddox (Objectivist, ex-baptist) and Jake (a Baptist pastor) confront their deepest disagreements about God, morality, and the foundations of truth. They explore whether faith or reason is the more reliable path to knowledge—and how each shapes our understanding of good and evil.

Moral Realism vs. Anti-Realism Is a False Alternative

by Craig BiddlePhilosophy

Nov 21, 2025

Most philosophers claim you must choose between moral realism and moral anti-realism—but that dichotomy is a trap. In his video, Craig breaks down both categories, shows why they fail, and explains the overlooked third option: moral objectivism. You’ll see how values arise from the factual requirements of human life—and why that changes the entire debate.

Northanger Abbey: A Mystery of Motive, Not Murder

by Angelica WerthArt & Culture

Nov 21, 2025

In her new Substack post, Angel discusses Northanger Abbey—a light, fun story about an innocent girl, captivated by Gothic tales, who begins to learn how the “real world” works and how to recognize people’s less-than-innocent motives.

Objective Standard Institute’s 2024 in Review

by Craig BiddleAnnouncements

Nov 17, 2025

OSI advanced its mission—and your values—beautifully in 2024. Here are some highlights of our projects and programs throughout the year.