RoR: Forum

Alec,

Congratulations on getting a column favorable to Ayn Rand published in a widely patronized Webzine!

You wrote:

Rand’s philosophy of rational egoism and individual rights certainly has its flaws, which mainly have to do with an overextension of her moral absolutism into inappropriate areas. (Although, viewed in the context of her Russian background, it is certainly not surprising that she was so fond of absolutes.)

Could you please expand upon this?

Luke Setzer

Post 1

Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 7:13pm

Luther,

Unless I have overestimated the corruptness of his humor (highly unlikely), I think Alec was referring to Absolut vodka.

Best,

Garin

(Edited by Garin Hovannisian on 2/13, 1:13am)

(Edited by Garin Hovannisian on 2/13, 1:14am)

Post 2

Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 8:05pm

Great article! Hopefully more people will see Ayn Rand as more than an "adolescent indulgence". She is so much more than that... besides, if only adolescents are the ones that can see the glory and beauty in her books... or if they are the ones who enjoy the long and philosophically difficult reading that they are... well, perhaps we should give them a little more credit.

With regard to academia... I am a college student at the University of Georgia, and I was taking PHIL 3030: Existensialism. A copius amount of Nietzsche , Kant and whatnot... an irritation in my schedule to say the least. At any rate, we had to complete a paper for the end of the year that was supposed to compare this philosophy to another. I talked with the professor about Rand and her ideas... at the mere mention of her name, this seasoned professor balked and practically screamed "She's not really a philosopher though!" I laughed at him and asked "Well, what is she then?" Of course, he had no answer. I felt so good that even after her death, her name could strike fear and doubt in the heart of evil. I felt even better that I could call upon it and use it to that end.

Ahh, a small victory.

Post 3

Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 9:47pm

Nice article, Alec. Far from being an "adolescent indulgence" for me, I was encouraged to read Rand by a colleague and friend who was in her mid-thirties like me and who considered Atlas Shrugged to be "her Bible". Unfortunately she now gives aid and comfort to a man whom I consider to be the living embodiment of Ellsworth Toohey, but she did direct me to a literary source of moral sanction for my self-esteem.

However, a minor quibble regarding the band Rush (my favorite) being "Americans." "North Americans", maybe. Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson are native-born Canadians, despite their popularity in the US (and Brazil, too.)

Thanks again for a great article. Good luck getting Rand's ideas out to a wider audience.

Post 4

Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 11:31pm

Interesting article, Alec. I would like to offer a different take on the idea of Rand being an "adolescent indulgence." As I argue in THE OBJECTIVIST HERO CYCLE (http://jungianobjectivism.tripod.com/id13.html), even though Rand's critics offer it as an attack, they do identify something very real in Rand's writings. Her use of the hero cycle in her fiction celebrate the ego through the development of the individuation process. Her fiction is an archetypal portrait of the journey into adulthood. I think one's judgement of this reflects their own success or failure into independence. But one has to also take into accounts the persistance of the criticism, especially when even close associates of Rand's, like Nathaniel Branden, have speculated that she may have exhibited symptoms of arrested development. (Another theme explored in the Hero Cycle essay.) This is one reason why I think it's impossible to seperate the ideas from the thinker; for many of the behaviors of Rand are, I believe, symbiotic with the philosophy.

But I fear this is getting too far away from your article, since there is a more important issue to address: your childhood crush on Oscar the Grouch. I think there is an article there waiting to be written...(Inquiring minds want to know...).

Post 5

Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 11:34pm

Luther,

As far as the second sentence in that passage is concerned, Garin was right. It was a joke. If you were confused about the first sentence, too, let me know and I'll be glad to elaborate.

Vincent,

Sorry for the error regarding Rush.

And thanks for all your nice comments. To those of you who made them. Which means, not Garin.

Alec

Post 6

Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 2:57am

Nice one Alec :-)

Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 4:44am

Alec wrote:

If you were confused about the first sentence, too, let me know and I'll be glad to elaborate.

Yes, please elaborate.

Luke Setzer

Post 8

Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 3:40pm

Luther,

I was referring to Rand's harsh moral condemnations based on facial hair, tastes in art, etc.

Joe,

There is definitely something important in what you're saying. I'll read your essay. It is certainly very rare for somebody not to "evolve" at all, as Ayn Rand didn't once she had fully established her philosophy. Not to mention her obsession with not being able to admit that she was ever wrong. (And no, admitting that one was "too nice" or "not extreme enough" does not count.)

Post 9

Monday, February 14, 2005 - 12:43pm

Not to be picky, but Absolut is made in Sweden.

It is important, however, that we start demolishing the idea that people go through "Rand-phases" and then "grow up". Even my libertarian friends make these ridiculous jokes. I hate those jokes!

Post 10

Monday, February 14, 2005 - 4:17pm

Ehh. Absolut is vodka. That was his point.

Nice joke, Alec.

Garin

Post 11

Monday, February 14, 2005 - 8:48pm

Joe,

Inquiring minds...or hopeful minds? My childhood crush on Oscar doesn't mean I'm prone to falling for anyone who lives in a dump (e.g. Philadelphia).

Post 12

Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 5:04am

Hey, can't argue with that, Alec. Been back for a year, and I am already planning my escape back to the West Coast.
That still doesn't explain your crush on Oscar the Grouch. Now fess up. Were you jealous of Slimy the Worm?

Post 13

Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 9:20am