Ayn Rand, was a Russian-born American novelist and philosopher. She is widely known for her best-selling novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, and for developing a philosophical system she called Objectivism. She was an uncompromising advocate of rational individualism and laissez-faire capitalism, and vociferously opposed socialism, altruism, and other contemporary philosophical trends. Her objectivist philosophy had a strong influence on the evolution of the Libertarian political philosophy movement. (http://listverse.com/2007/12/13/top-25-ayn-rand-quotes/)
Further, Ayn Rand was a Russian Jew whose family was victimized by the Soviet Communist regime, hence her distaste for collectivism and socialism. Understandable enough. The most well known writings of Ayn Rand explain her 'Objectivism' philosophy in the form of novels. I read two ; The Fountainhead and Atlas shrugged in college. The books are well done, interesting, and make coherent sense.
But I still want to give Ayn Rand a slap.
And not JUST because she is wearing a stupid hat.
1. I share her views on religion. I am an Agnostic and think religion is generally either a default strategy for explaining the unexplainable; or a crutch for the weak who seek to make excuses for bad behavior. (The devil made me do it).
2. I am female.
Thankfully, this is where our similarities end!
What I don't have in common with Ayn Rand:
1. I am not a sociopath (that I know of).
The list can end there, since that is really the most important difference. Last year when browsing for something interesting to read I came upon the book "The Sociopath next door' and not knowing much about human psychology, I read it with interest. The book explained that a Sociopath lacks a conscience. I picture it as a disability, like lacking sight or hearing, only way more evil. I even called my sister, and told her I was worried about being a sociopath, until she logically pointed out the fact that a sociopath would never worry about such a thing. (whew)
But it did strike another cord. It DID remind me of something else I had read long ago. In college.
I am linking articles below that go into deep detail about Ayn Rand's objectivism, but suffice it to say that it mainly extolls the 'virtue of selfishness'. In a nutshell, Rand believes self preservation is not only your paramount concern ; but that altruism is actually immoral.
Consider these quotes:
"The basic social principle of the Objectivist ethics is that just as life is an end in itself, so every living human being is an end in himself, not the means to the ends or the welfare of others—and, therefore, that man must live for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. To live for his own sake means that the achievement of his own happiness is man’s highest moral purpose." (ttp://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ari_ayn_rand_the_objectivist_ethics)
Now compare it to the description of a sociopath:
Through Ayn Rand's characters she does her best to repress what I consider the real virute of mankind: selflessness. But I think Ayn Rand may actually be worse than a sociopath: because a sociopath has no choice. While Ayn Rand sees a conscience as a weakness, I see it as a gift. Lately, this concept has been politicized by the right wing to extoll the virtues of laissez faire capitalism, regardless of the effect it has on our fellow human beings. All because they HATE taxes:
Well here is what I say to that : get over it. OR stop using my roads, bridges, post offices, schools, police and fire departments, and food inspectors that MY tax money pays for.
The current poster child for Ayn Rand ethics and economics is Paul Ryan:
As you can see; he is one conehead hat away from BEING Ayn Rand. Recently his dead shark eyes took on a slightly glassy, puzzled look at the suggestion that senior citizens were angered by his proposal to abolish medicare. He kept insisting that it doesn't 'affect CURRENT retirees'!!
What he could not grasp was that normal, healthy people CARE about screwing over future generations TOO! The altruistic need to care about others including future generations is thankfully, and in spite of his BEST efforts, alive and well in the American spirit. His absolute beffudddlement that seniors aren't perfectly willing to throw everybody else under the bus is what I find the MOST chilling.
This is why I want to slap Ayn Rand.
Oh. and FUCK JOHN GALT!
Update: It seems Paul Ryan has read my BLOG (LOL) and retreated in fear from his AYN RAND -gasm he professed in earlier life. Paul, it's a good idea to actually read and comprehend the writings of those you profess to follow. Douche.
Links:
I'd slap Ayn Rand too. The bottom article you linked shows how internally inconsistent the right wing is. They will lay claim to any philosophy if they can use it to benefit themselves.
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