Ayn Rand and the Intellectuals

Sierra Times ^ | 5/1/03 | Ray Thomas

[stuartcr]

I've never read anything by Rand, but it seems to me that 'reading between the lines', is inherently subjective. Wouldn't someone view the 'lines' as objective, and the 'space' between them, subjective? Please clarify.

[zx2dragon]

I was not aware of the split in the rand community, but I have never gone out of the way to look into it. However, I do enjoy her writing. So far I have read Anthem, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged. All three were horribly fascinating and I found myself turning off the TV and reading every chance I could find.

[warchild9]

"Objectivity" means that Saint Rand says everyone should have equal rights. "Subjectivity" means that Saint Rand says women have the right to kill their unborn children because selfishness is the highest good. And, so, the Warchild is no longer a Libertarian.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Atlas Shrugged is a long and entertaining read. A good vacation book.

Highly recommended. And full of powerful ideas.

[stuartcr]

Vacation?

[jnarcus]

More like a retirement read...lol probably means that vacation that teenagers get during the summer before school starts again in the fall

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Atlas Shrugged is happening everyday.

[eBelasco]

it is the only logical philosophy there is.

Really?

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[r9etb]

If you point out the fact that Objectivism is a "philosophy of reason," they deny the existence of reason. If you point to the logic of Objectivism, they say there is no logic. Then they go on to tell you that "there are no absolutes." Of course, they don't even notice the fact that their very statement is a "statement of an absolute," and negates not only their entire philosophy, but the very statement they have made as well. I love being a proponent of a philosophy that allows me to "shut down" those who disagree with it so easily and completely, and with their own words.

Alas, the problem with Rand's objectivism is that her own claims are mutually contradictory.

For example, her highest, allegedly objective, moral purpose is "happiness."

Also, there is simply no way to square Rand's claims to absoluteness with the evidence all around us that weighs against her claims.

And, tellingly, the Objectivists never seem to be able to prove their claims -- which, as it turns out, are based on a foundation of assertions and assumptions.

You don't have to be a liberal to disagree with Rand. You need only to be honest.

[stuartcr]

The way the economy is going, by the time I get to retire, I'll be too old to see the lines....much less read what's between them.

[r9etb]

it is the only logical philosophy there is.

Really?

It's fun to ask them to prove it. They can't.

[spunkets]

" For example, her highest, allegedly objective, moral purpose is "happiness."

That is not true. She does not base her philosophy on the greatest happiness principle. The motivations in her philosophy are whatever the individual holds as an interest, regardless of what that interest is.

[robertpaulsen]

"Liberal intellectuals (almost a redundancy, that)"

Not redundancy -- the word he's looking for is "oxymoron".

You gotta like the way Objectivists approach morality issues: "One does not live for the sake of being moral; one acts morally in order to make the most out of his life."

In other words, you don't screw your customer's spouse because it's immoral -- no, you don't screw your customer's spouse because it's bad for business.

That said, my favorite book remains Atlas Shrugged.

[poet]

Ditto that. She was a brilliant writer.

[poet]

"For example, her highest, allegedly objective, moral purpose is "happiness.""

Didn't she say that you define your own happiness and that it is not governed by other people's definitions?

I believe her philosophy in a nutshell boils downs down to indiviualism.

[Hank Kerchief]

I believe her philosophy in a nutshell boils downs down to indiviualism.

Yes!

But most people confuse individualism with subjectivism, which is really a kind of anti-individualism. Hedonism, for example, is a subjectivist philosophy. Objectivism is radically anti-hedonism.

Hank

[Hank Kerchief]

PHILOSOPHY PING

(If you want on or off this list please freepmail me.)

{Comment: This is appears to be a young "objectivst's" praise for this philosophy. Not sure how philosophical the discussion will be.) --Hank

[RJCogburn]

My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.