tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29196034.post242548059169288458..comments2024-03-27T05:47:21.295-07:00Comments on Ayn Rand Contra Human Nature: Objectivism & Politics, Part 40Daniel Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06359277853862225286noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29196034.post-74318981880722881712010-02-02T18:35:39.886-08:002010-02-02T18:35:39.886-08:00Another good Rand article:
http://www.newcriterio...Another good Rand article:<br /><br />http://www.newcriterion.com/articles.cfm/Ayn-Rand--engineer-of-souls-4385Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29196034.post-81304813830386693382010-01-31T10:20:35.603-08:002010-01-31T10:20:35.603-08:00Greg,
Also another problem with Rand's thinki...Greg,<br /><br />Also another problem with Rand's thinking when she blamed tyranny on altruism is that the American Founding Fathers where pretty much altruists themselves,<br /><br />Thomas Jefferson wrote,<br /><br /><b><i>"Self-interest, or rather self-love, or egoism, has been more plausibly substituted as the basis of morality. But I consider our relations with others as constituting the boundaries of morality. With ourselves, we stand on the ground of identity, not of relation, which last, requiring two subjects, excludes self-love confined to a single one. To ourselves, in strict language, we can owe no duties, obligation requiring also two parties. Self-love, therefore, is no part of morality. Indeed, it is exactly its counterpart."</i></b><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoism" rel="nofollow">Source</a><br /><br />Now let's keep in mind that, that was Thomas Jefferson, the Thomas Jefferson of all people, not some evil tyrant like Joseph Stalin, or even Rand's favorite scape goat, Emanuel Kant. If Altruism is really the cause of tyranny, how could the founding fathers have been altruists and at the same time founded the most free Society on Earth? Yes there was slavery at the time and the did not get rid of it until the civil war, but it was something that clearly went agianst the ideals that the founders were fighting for. They were genuine freedom fighters. While there maybe reasons to think that Altruism and rights have some compatibility issues, there's no good reason to think that altruism in and of its caused things like the massive expansion of government in America in the middle of the twentieth century. Beyond that there's even reason to think Egoism is also incompatible with individual rights as well.Damienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02691850040385670009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29196034.post-70282968060866658422010-01-30T15:21:14.465-08:002010-01-30T15:21:14.465-08:00"Early American settlers found what worked wa..."Early American settlers found what worked was the freedom for each individual to think, imagine, create, build and change the environment with their sweat, even disturbing the established and accepted way things are done without fear of punishment, exemplified in Ayn Rand’s writings, a libertarian belief. That was America, and what set her apart from all other nations, as cited in Save Pebble Droppers & Prosperity at Amazon and claysamerica.com."<br /><br />Thank you for telling us all about your childhood Clay and for plugging your book. I'm sure it's a classic, but, meanwhile bakc that the ranch, lets talk about what modern Americans want and why they want it, ok?<br /><br />Steven Johnston<br />Stockport, UKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29196034.post-3381760679629801462010-01-30T15:12:43.559-08:002010-01-30T15:12:43.559-08:00"...The governed ruled, and they could change..."...The governed ruled, and they could change government in Town Halls, voting..."<br /><br />Given, that after the American Revolution less than 1 in 33 Americans over the age of 18 were allowed to vote, that statement does seem a bit odd. I mean, no blacks, Indians, women, men with less than a fixed amount of capital and/or owned land and others were allowed to vote it's not suprise that the colonists moved away from all this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29196034.post-65707610067036742392010-01-30T14:55:20.625-08:002010-01-30T14:55:20.625-08:00So why did Americans choose altruism then over all...So why did Americans choose altruism then over all of that? There in lies the rub...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29196034.post-91187767031136423862010-01-30T13:59:53.459-08:002010-01-30T13:59:53.459-08:00Early American settlers found what worked was the ...Early American settlers found what worked was the freedom for each individual to think, imagine, create, build and change the environment with their sweat, even disturbing the established and accepted way things are done without fear of punishment, exemplified in Ayn Rand’s writings, a libertarian belief. That was America, and what set her apart from all other nations, as cited in Save Pebble Droppers & Prosperity at Amazon and claysamerica.com. Individual freedom caused local government, close to the governed within a day’s horseback ride. The governed ruled, and they could change government in Town Halls, voting or by vigilante movements, much like the Tea Party movement today. It is our tradition. Claysamerica.comclay barhamnoreply@blogger.com