Ayn Rand and Objectivism

[Lockhouse]

I've never been the philisophical type so have passed Ayn Rand by until recently. However I have to say that I've found Objectivism has much that appeals. Would anyone else with more knowledge care to comment as I'm still trying to understand it?

p.s. I didn't mean to sound like a poseur - I'm genuinely interested.

[NickFitz]

The first Monday Links of the year mentioned an interesting article about Rand: How Ayn Rand Became an American Icon. (I particularly liked the description of her as "...this fifth-rate Nietzsche of the mini-malls.")

[ThomasSoerensen]

I've never been the philisophical type so have passed Ayn Rand by until recently. However I have to say that I've found Objectivism has much that appeals. Would anyone else with more knowledge care to comment as I'm still trying to understand it?

p.s. I didn't mean to sound like a poseur - I'm genuinely interested.

What have you read from her?

what is it about objektivism that you think you do not understand? (Not that I claim to be an expert, but I have read some of what she has written.)

[sasguru]

Ayn Rand was a pseud.

Next!

[Lockhouse]

What have you read from her?

what is it about objektivism that you think you do not understand? (Not that I claim to be an expert, but I have read some of what she has written.)

I'm just trying to get it clear in my own mind whether it's outmoded or relevant and was interested what other people thought.

[sasguru]

I'm just trying to get it clear in my own mind whether it's outmoded or relevant and was interested what other people thought.

Its a kind of "look-at-me aren't I great" pseudo-philosophy that basically says the rich are super-men and should be allowed to do what they wish and everyone else is scum.
Although to justify it with the tag "philosophy" is stretching it quite a bit, cult would be more like it.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

I'm just trying to get it clear in my own mind whether it's outmoded or relevant and was interested what other people thought.

I have read Atlas Shrugged, the Fountainhead, We the Living and Anthem and they were all fascinating reads. The over riding principal behind it is that you will live for yourself by your own hand and without handouts from others but, by the same token, you will not feel duty bound to give hand outs to others who have done nothing to deserve it; the exact quote from Atlas Shrugged is "I swear on my life and my love of it that I shall live my life for no other man nor shall I expect him to live his life for me". People often read the first sentence and forget the second (hence Sasguru's opinion).

I have read Atlas Shrugged several times over a number of years, most recently last year and to be honest it became more scarily prophetic over those years. The story was set in the US and follows the collapse of a rail road and, indeed, of the US economy because of the introduction of socialist principals e.g. the worker is entitled to a highly paid job even though they are not qualified for it. Most of the early decisions that were taken that contributed to the economic collapse have already been taken in the UK.

Even if you don't agree with the philosophy the books are innovative, well written and thought provoking.

[Lockhouse]

Most of the early decisions that were taken that contributed to the economic collapse have already been taken in the UK.

I am halfway through Atlas Shrugged and that was exactly what stood out for me. It's brilliantly concise.

[sasguru]

The story was set in the US and follows the collapse of a rail road and, indeed, of the US economy because of the introduction of socialist principals e.g. the worker is entitled to a highly paid job even though they are not qualified for it. Most of the early decisions that were taken that contributed to the economic collapse have already been taken in the UK.

.

What utter bollux.
The near collapse of the US economy that has just occurred was because the "titans" of Wall St. were allowed to do what they wished, as per the principles espoused by Ayn Rand.
Greenspan was a fan of hers, and his economic philosophy of laissez faire to a large extent led to the crash.

I despair of (the lack of) people's logical thought processes in this country, caused no doubt by the removal of any sort of rigour in the curriculum from the 60s onwards

[edit]
Whether excessive socialism also leads to economic collapse is another matter, the history of the Soviet Union suggests it does, less aggressive socialism as in Sweden seems to work OK.

[end edit]

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

I am halfway through Atlas Shrugged and that was exactly what stood out for me. It's brilliantly concise.

Really scary isn't it The other books are just as good and just as though provoking