Posted on 04/22/2003 5:25:25 PM PDT by 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. — Ayn Rand, Appendix to Atlas Shrugged
In her novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, and in nonfiction works such as Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, Ayn Rand forged a systematic philosophy of reason and freedom.
Rand was a passionate individualist. She wrote in praise of "the men of unborrowed vision," who live by the judgment of their own minds, willing to stand alone against tradition and popular opinion.
Her philosophy of Objectivism rejects the ethics of self-sacrifice and renunciation. She urged men to hold themselves and their lives as their highest values, and to live by the code of the free individual: self-reliance, integrity, rationality, productive effort.
Objectivism celebrates the power of man's mind, defending reason and science against every form of irrationalism. It provides an intellectual foundation for objective standards of truth and value.
Upholding the use of reason to transform nature and create wealth, Objectivism honors the businessman and the banker, no less than the philosopher and artist, as creators and as benefactors of mankind.
Ayn Rand was a champion of individual rights, which protect the sovereignty of the individual as an end in himself; and of capitalism, which is the only social system that allows people to live together peaceably, by voluntary trade, as independent equals.
Millions of readers have been inspired by the vision of life in Ayn Rand's novels. Scholars are exploring the trails she blazed in philosophy and other fields. Her principled defense of capitalism has drawn new adherents to the cause of economic and political liberty.
Your bet has become moot. Didn't take long. By the way, did you ever read Rand's commencement address at West Point? Great stuff. To America's Armed Forces.
Predictable, though. Authoritarians just can't sit by while anyone says anything nice about Rand.
By the way, did you ever read Rand's commencement address at West Point? Great stuff.
I've heard about it, but have never read it...... until NOW....
".... would ya look at the two a**holes on that elephant!"
(Whereupon the two guys riding the elephant, got off, and were last seen scratching their heads' whilst peering intently under the elephant's tail.....)
I am not an objectivist, but about 85% of my philosophy is in agreement with Rand. I think her philosophy is incomplete in some areas, and outright wrong in one or two minor points, but, it is nevertheless the most progress in philosophy since Locke. Not bad for a Novelist.
Three quick quotes from The Autonomist's Notebook:
Hank
** The Government **
The government has a responsibility to enforce the laws. But it does much more than that. It sets a moral standard, based on the knowledge that some practices have evil consequences.
Doctors are aware how harmful sodomy is. The intestines were not designed for this purpose, and expensive operations have to be done to repair the damaged muscles and intestinal tissue. Diseases, also, are introduced through sodomy.
Practices which are harmful to the practitioners, as well as society, should not be encouraged. Such practices should be frowned upon, and not allowed. It would be cruel to allow people and society to suffer. We have no problem decrying the harmfulness of tobacco. But not sodomy, and other sexual perversions.
Why is this so?
The word "liberal" used to be religious term, denoting generosity of giving. Now, it's a secular term of licentiousness.
The vast majority of people are moral and decent. But in all the areas of power in this country, in the media, the advertisers, the entertainment industry, the government, the universities and schools, there are powerful groups of liberals who think if only people would fall into a "let live" attitude in morals, everything would be fine.
The whole liberal power-structure is geared to lowering morality, and they see it as a "crusade" to bring "freedom."
The bottomline, though, is greed. That is the driving-force behind their campaign against morality. Immorality generates money, and they're right behind, scooping it up.
How so? Please explain
(If you want on or off this list please freepmail me.)
Hank
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