PHILOSOPHY: WHO NEEDS IT? (The IMPORTANT West Point Commencement Speech)

Gifts of Speech ^ | March 6, 1974 | Ayn Rand

[IronJack]

I will not insult you by saying that you are dedicated to selfless service--it is not a virtue in my morality. In my morality, the defense of one's country means that a man is personally unwilling to live as the conquered slave of any enemy, foreign or domestic. This is an enormous virtue.

Enlightened self-interest, not altruism.

[wintertime]

.

I can say--not as a patriotic bromide, but with full knowledge of the necessary metaphysical, epistemological, ethical, political and esthetic roots--that the United States of America is the greatest, the noblest and, in its original founding principles, the only moral country in the history of the world.

How few citizens today know that.

[Bigun]

Enlightened self-interest, not altruism.

Well said sir!

Well said indeed and that covers about all of it!

[FreeKeys]

Enlightened self-interest, not altruism.

You bet. Besides, charges of "selfishness" have always been sneaky, vicious packaged deals perpetrated by politicians, dictators and other grifters and con-men. See: THIS explanation.

[Bigun]

And that is mostly because the elites do not want them to know!

[Bigun]

And that is mostly because the elites do not want them to know!

[IronJack]

the United States of America is the greatest, the noblest and, in its original founding principles, the only moral country in the history of the world.

And on that basis, we have not only the right, but the duty, to export our morality. The charges of "imperialism" leveled against us should be worn as badges of honor. YES, we are cultural hegemonists. YES, we are proud of what we've done. YES, the rest of the world would do well to adopt our mores. NO, not all cultures are equal. Ours is superior, and we don't do anyone any favors by pretending it's not, or falsely equating less successful cultures to our own.

[wintertime]

Every word of this speech was carefully crafted by Ayn Rand, **herself**!

Obama’s speech was likely written by a Bryn Mawr twit.

[wintertime]

And on that basis, we have not only the right, but the duty, to export our morality.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Good point!

Although Ayn Rand was an atheist, as a Christian it is my duty to share the Gospel. ( Seriously! In every way it is a better way to live!)

[Chickensoup]

And on that basis, we have not only the right, but the duty, to export our morality.

funny, this would be so far from what Rand would advocate.

[ChowChowFace]

Bump

[stainlessbanner]

In my morality, the defense of one's country means that a man is personally unwilling to live as the conquered slave of any enemy, foreign or domestic.

bttt

[IronJack]

this would be so far from what Rand would advocate.

I'm no rock-ribbed Randian. But by "export" I only meant "offer an an alternative." I don't imply that we should necessarily FORCE our morality on anyone. If they choose to live like barbarians, the cultural marketplace will ultimately decide their viability. However, if our cultures collide and they make it clear that they cannot co-exist, then I would, without hesitation, remove the option of existence from them.

Islam is a perfect modern-day example.

[Auntie Mame]

Uh, Bo Calloway was the commencement speaker for the West Point graduating class of 1974.

[BoneHead]

Address To The Graduating Class Of The United States Military Academy at West Point, New York - March 6, 1974

Probably not the commencement address at graduation. Which would more likely be in May of 1974. Probably a bad title, done to beat down the Obama offering this year at commencement.