Question: Having studied Objectivism for several years, I see tremendous potential in the ideas contained within the philosophy. It seems to be a system of ideas far more correct and plausible than today's major philosophies/religions/ideologies. Furthermore, it's an optimistic philosophy with a genuinely positive view of life, man, and the world.Is it a problem with the philosophy itself? Is the problem how it is presented and "marketed"? Answer: Objectivism is true, and it does make sense. Because of this, it is easy to understand and to live by. But it also stands against many of the received traditions in philosophy and religion. And because of this, most people find it counter-intuitive and hard to integrate into their existing values and emotional commitments. All people have what Ayn Rand called a "sense of life." A sense of life is an emotional sum, a feeling of how the world is and how it ought to be, that serves as the equivalent of a kind of basic philosophy. If you thrill at the idea of taking responsibility for your life's major problems, or you shrink at it, or you feel wry resignation, or you feel something else, whatever you feel in facing such a big question reflects your sense of life. Like the values that drive all our emotions, we hold our sense of life subconsciously, and it is not always easy to identify its content or judge whether that content really makes sense.
Question: Is Objectivism bound to what Ayn Rand said, or can certain parts of it be further developed by other philosophers? Answer: This is an issue that has divided the Objectivist movement. The Atlas Society is founded on the principle that Objectivism is an open system of ideas, founded by Ayn Rand but open to further development, revision, and extension by rational thinkers with a solid understanding of her ideas. In The Contested Legacy of Ayn Rand (available to students for free), TAS founder and executive director David Kelley outlines the key ideas that make Objectivism distinctive as a system, and discusses the reasons for regarding Objectivism as an open system. Those remarks were composed in response to an attack on Kelley by Leonard Peikoff, Ayn Rand's heir, in which Peikoff attempted to defend the principle that Objectivism is simply the brand name for whatever philosophical thought of Ayn Rand's that has been recorded.
Ayn Rand defined a right as a "moral principle defining and sanctioning a man's freedom of action in a social context" (The Virtue of
"Individualism" is a term for classifying theories, such as ethical or social theories. Any theory that places the individual foremost or
Rights are fundamental political principles. As such, they are based in morality. They summarize how human beings ought to be treated in a
What Objectivism opposes is the idea that nature has inherent value, apart from any human needs, values, or purposes. In general, Objectivis
As everyone grows up, they develop a set of values: ways they interpret and respond to the world. At the basis of their values lies what...
Ayn Rand is not a revered figure in academic philosophy at this time. But there is a growing body of scholarship on her ideas by academic
Objectivism acknowledges the importance of defining one’s terms, and this is critically necessary in debating this question. So, what do we
Objectivism does not recognize "parapsychological phenomena." As far as I know, there is no reliable evidence for any of them. Some forms...
First, let me remark that you are right that Objectivism doesn't share Singer's idea of interest. We can see this by looking at the real...
Objectivism does not have a fixed position on consensual polygamy. Note that I mean this answer to apply to polyandry (a committed relations
"The needy" come in two classes: those who are unable to care for themselves, and those who are able. Objectivism holds that it is not...
Please see our Q&A " What is the Objectivist View of Law and Government ?" which describes the general Objectivist approach to politics. Thi
Objectivists hold that parents are obliged to care for and raise their children. While Objectivism does not accept any unchosen obligations
In the wake of the victory of Christine O’Donnell, backed by Tea Party members, over establishment Republican Mike Castle in Delaware’s
Subjective criteria like "I like it" of course can't be proven as you say. And that is, in fact, why they are wrong. I can't add any more..
November 1999 -- Objectivists too often reduce the life and achievement of James J. Hill to a single debating point: He built a
Pre-emptive use of force may be proper when one is faced with a clear and present danger. This might be a credible threat from someone, or
The Objectivist answer to poverty and other social problems is: 1) create a society in which people have clear reasons to be responsible...
Question: Having studied Objectivism for several years, I see tremendous potential in the ideas contained within the philosophy. It seems to be a system of ideas far more correct and plausible than today's major philosophies/religions/ideologies. Furthermore, it's an optimistic philosophy with a genuinely positive view of life, man, and the world.Is it a problem with the philosophy itself? Is the problem how it is presented and "marketed"? Answer: Objectivism is true, and it does make sense. Because of this, it is easy to understand and to live by. But it also stands against many of the received traditions in philosophy and religion. And because of this, most people find it counter-intuitive and hard to integrate into their existing values and emotional commitments. All people have what Ayn Rand called a "sense of life." A sense of life is an emotional sum, a feeling of how the world is and how it ought to be, that serves as the equivalent of a kind of basic philosophy. If you thrill at the idea of taking responsibility for your life's major problems, or you shrink at it, or you feel wry resignation, or you feel something else, whatever you feel in facing such a big question reflects your sense of life. Like the values that drive all our emotions, we hold our sense of life subconsciously, and it is not always easy to identify its content or judge whether that content really makes sense.
Question: Is Objectivism bound to what Ayn Rand said, or can certain parts of it be further developed by other philosophers? Answer: This is an issue that has divided the Objectivist movement. The Atlas Society is founded on the principle that Objectivism is an open system of ideas, founded by Ayn Rand but open to further development, revision, and extension by rational thinkers with a solid understanding of her ideas. In The Contested Legacy of Ayn Rand (available to students for free), TAS founder and executive director David Kelley outlines the key ideas that make Objectivism distinctive as a system, and discusses the reasons for regarding Objectivism as an open system. Those remarks were composed in response to an attack on Kelley by Leonard Peikoff, Ayn Rand's heir, in which Peikoff attempted to defend the principle that Objectivism is simply the brand name for whatever philosophical thought of Ayn Rand's that has been recorded.
Ayn Rand defined a right as a "moral principle defining and sanctioning a man's freedom of action in a social context" (The Virtue of
"Individualism" is a term for classifying theories, such as ethical or social theories. Any theory that places the individual foremost or
Rights are fundamental political principles. As such, they are based in morality. They summarize how human beings ought to be treated in a
What Objectivism opposes is the idea that nature has inherent value, apart from any human needs, values, or purposes. In general, Objectivis
As everyone grows up, they develop a set of values: ways they interpret and respond to the world. At the basis of their values lies what...
Ayn Rand is not a revered figure in academic philosophy at this time. But there is a growing body of scholarship on her ideas by academic
Objectivism acknowledges the importance of defining one’s terms, and this is critically necessary in debating this question. So, what do we
Objectivism does not recognize "parapsychological phenomena." As far as I know, there is no reliable evidence for any of them. Some forms...
First, let me remark that you are right that Objectivism doesn't share Singer's idea of interest. We can see this by looking at the real...
Objectivism does not have a fixed position on consensual polygamy. Note that I mean this answer to apply to polyandry (a committed relations
"The needy" come in two classes: those who are unable to care for themselves, and those who are able. Objectivism holds that it is not...
Please see our Q&A " What is the Objectivist View of Law and Government ?" which describes the general Objectivist approach to politics. Thi
Objectivists hold that parents are obliged to care for and raise their children. While Objectivism does not accept any unchosen obligations
In the wake of the victory of Christine O’Donnell, backed by Tea Party members, over establishment Republican Mike Castle in Delaware’s
Subjective criteria like "I like it" of course can't be proven as you say. And that is, in fact, why they are wrong. I can't add any more..
November 1999 -- Objectivists too often reduce the life and achievement of James J. Hill to a single debating point: He built a
Pre-emptive use of force may be proper when one is faced with a clear and present danger. This might be a credible threat from someone, or
The Objectivist answer to poverty and other social problems is: 1) create a society in which people have clear reasons to be responsible...