Ayn Rand 100th Birthday

The Objectivist Center ^ | February 2, 2005 | Edward Hudgins

[aynrandfreak]

Great piece, Ed. I read it earlier on TOC. You've done a great job of putting the ideas in more modern language without taking from the meaning.

[rhetorica]

Only one problem with Ayn. Humans are emotional as well as rational creatures. A philosophy based solely on rationalism can never explain human thought or action because it is not, never has been, and never can be based solely on human rationality.

[not-alone]

I spent many wonderful hours reading Rand.

[GunsareOK]

Likewise. A toast to a true intellectual giant.

[Blowtorch]

I read "The Fountainhead" recently and was impressed with her ideas and writing style. It was the longest book I've read in a while, but kept me interested and moving along the whole time. I would consider the book inspirational, as it makes me want to improve myself and the work I do. It is highly philosophical, overtly so near the end of the book.

My interest in reading the Fountainhead was actually prompted by a thread here on FR. I guess that shows how much information I get from this site. The Fountainhead is the precursor to "Atlas Shrugged," which I plan on reading next.

[ColoCdn]

Currently slogging through Atlas Shrugged. Not great writing, but interesting plot variation.

Not overly impressed, but it was one of the books I promised myself I'd read before I died.

Her atheism is somewhat insufferable. I've read that she died quite lonely. That would vary greatly from the hagiography in the above article.

[SF Republican]

John Gaults 65 page speech in Atlas is fantastic.

[Bombardier]

I had a tough time getting through Atlas, but when I did, I understood economics far more than I did after two semesters of that subject.

[windcliff]

ping

[Mark in the Old South]

I read Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead when I was about 25 because I had heard how great they were and that they articulated the conservative POV. I was sorely disappointed. Both books struck me as supporting an elitist viewpoint that I found objectionable. Sure they tout the individual but largely in an iconastic way. I prefer respect for traditions which always call for humility on the part of the individual. I am also a fan of Noblesse Oblige, rich or poor it is the noble among us who sacrifice for their fellow man. I agree they have been influential books but more so on the left than with me.

[Focault's Pendulum]

I read Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead when I was about 25

How old are you now? I might suggest if at least 5 to 10 years have passed, you could consider the opportunity to read them again. No slam intended here at all. Our perceptions change as we go through our lives. Even 20 years might be a good idea...me...I reread much I had read long ago....the words were the same...but much intent had changed.

Just a suggestion

[Slainte]

Who is John Galt?

[MichiganCheese]

In one of my economics classes in college one of our assignments was to read Atlas Shrugged during the semester. Our final exam was a 15 minute oral review of the book.

[Focault's Pendulum]

Who is John Galt?

Umberto Eco's third cousin...twice removed.

[SF Republican]

who is John Gault http://www.atlasshrugged.tv/

[Alberta's Child]

If you are really interested in influential books about economics, I'd recommend George Gilder's Wealth and Poverty, which was originally written as the defining treatise on supply-side economics.

Gilder's approach to economics was based on an understanding of the influences that religion and human altruism has on human behavior, and the critical roles these elements play in a successful economy.

I post this here because I've just started reading it again, and one item in particular stood out: he recounts a debate he had with Ayn Rand years ago, in which he used attributes of the characters in her own books to support his arguments and refute hers.

[SF Republican]

"I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."

— John Galt
Atlas Shrugged

[Nicholas Conradin]

My interest in Rand's writings and philosophy has waxed and waned over the last 30+ years since I first read Atlas Shrugged. I have reread it in the year past in a marathon effort of reading four pages a day over the course of ten months. I had pretty much memorized the plot so the time interval was no problem. I was again impressed by both the scope and the depth of her ideas.

I bought a DVD of "Ayn Rand, a Sense of Life" from The Other Guys (ARI). The highlight of the film, for me, was the description of her trip to Florida on her own train, shortly before she died. It was a literally fitting way for her to exit the stage.

If you will be at CPAC with TOC, I hope that we will have an opportunity to meet there.

[VastRWCon]

Anthem is one of my favorite books. I re-read it every other year or whenever I'm in the mood. Now if they only made the movie.........