About Objectivism

Objectivist Center ^ | 2/2002

[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.

[Nateman]

For someone whose views are declared to be dying, it sure generates a lot of interest here. I suspect most of the detractors have never even read her works, they just know that her morality is independent of any god and that's enough to put them into Jihad mode.

[Roscoe]

I dreamed I saw Ayn Rand last night,
Alive as you or me
Says I, "But Ayn, you're decades dead,"
"I never died," says she
"I never died," says she

Ayn standing there as big as life
Ayn glaring with her eyes
Ayn says, "My dupes are with you still
They love to proselytize,
They love to proselytize."

[nopardons]

What a SPLENDID turn/parody, for what is the quinticential UNION/Lefty " hymn. LOL

BRAVO !

[Rifleman]

Problem is that you want to decide what kind of society _I_ live in and you are quite willing to do it at the point of a government gun. Pardon me if I object.

[Anamensis]

If children cannot consent then it is a use of force is it not?

By that logic, sending them to school is also a use of force.

[Anamensis]

I suspect most of the detractors have never even read her works, they just know that her morality is independent of any god and that's enough to put them into Jihad mode.

No more callers, folks, we have a winner!

[truenospinzone]

cause frankly, I'm tired of trying to figure out whether you're stupid or crazy

Well, don't make the mistake of confining yourself to just one choice...

[OWK]

Yes, you've said that already -- but you failed to support your claims by either logic or evidence.

It is not he who asserts the existence of a giant all-powerful benevolent cloud-walking bearded invisible guy.

It would seem to me that not only is it impossible to prove the negative, but that the burden of proof, falls on the one making the positive assertion.

[The Green Goblin]

Atheists freeload on the morality and law-abidingness of theists. Always have, always will. It is what makes life tolerable.

Tell it to the Canaanites, who were mercilessly slaughtered--men, women and children--by Jehovah's merry band of followers...

[OWK]

Tell it to the Canaanites, who were mercilessly slaughtered--men, women and children--by Jehovah's merry band of followers...

Throats slit... (even the babies)

Cities burnt.

Property looted.

all in the name of God (and at the direct command of God, if the Bible is to be believed)

Great guys.

[OWK]

And let's not forget those heathen freeloaders who had the skin ripped off their backs (free of charge) by the Inquisitors in an effort to help them confess the love of Jesus.

[The Green Goblin]

Throats slit... (even the babies). Cities burnt. Property looted...all in the name of God (and at the direct command of God, if the Bible is to be believed). Great guys.

Yeah--it wouldn't do to have any Canaanites freeloading on the "morality and law-abidingness" of the theists, now would it?

[The Green Goblin]

And let's not forget those heathen freeloaders who had the skin ripped off their backs (free of charge) by the Inquisitors in an effort to help them confess the love of Jesus.

But OWK, don't you know that the Inquisitors were only trying to "make life tolerable"?

[OWK]

I'm sure they convinced themselves they were doing "God's work" as they brutalized and murdered.

And there are people who will try to rationalize it even today.

[OWK]

But OWK, don't you know that the Inquisitors were only trying to "make life tolerable"?

Yes, of course.

Just helping their fellow man, and stuff like that...

[The Green Goblin]

Yes, of course. Just helping their fellow man, and stuff like that...

Better living...through the rack!

[OWK]

Stranely enough, that's where the expression "off the rack" clothing comes from.

After a few hour session, clothes didn't fit worth a damn.

[Hacksaw]

Hello guys - I haven't seen a Libertarian circle jerk in a while. Green Goblin, I think it is your turn to service OWK.

By all means though, ignore documented evidence of the tyrannies and 1984 societies that _all_ atheist governments have become.