[Am-info] Ayn Rand Institute?

[Hans Reiser]

Mitch Stone wrote:

> Logical consistency is where you find it, I guess. Rand's rigid 
> self-interest dogma led to some fairly bizarre conclusions. For 
> example, the only kind of force seen as "objectively" unethical is 
> physical force -- you should not beat money out of someone. But if you 
> can swindle them out it, that's okay because it just indicates that 
> you're smarter then they, and therefore more deserving. Think of it as 
> social darwinism for nerds -- a human potential movement for people 
> without a conscience.
>
> I've developed a sort of acid test for people who claim to believe in 
> objectivism. I ask them if they should be allowed to fire a gun into a 
> crowded room, provided they don't hit anyone. This is precisely the 
> sort of moral and ethical question Rand's philosophy can't resolve. If 
> they hesitate in their response, prevaricate or change the subject, 
> they probably recognize that all ethical issues can't be reduced to 
> "objective"
>  elements, and you might have something else to talk about. If they 
> respond in the affirmative, I'd suggest steering a reciprocal course 
> with all due haste.
>
People are often desirous of avoiding contact with the followers of holy 
men.:-)  For good reason.:-)

So, it is basically a philosophy to maximize the welfare of those not 
strong enough to be king but strong enough to own a company, or those 
who want to marry/admire/serve/follow said type of person (like Ayn Rand).

It is understandable as the philosophy of someone from a communist 
country who left it, and I do think that Ayn Rand contributed to the 
philosophical literature (as holy men often do).   Black and white art 
is often worth looking at, even if you yourself are able to see grey tones.

Thanks much for helping me to better understand her and her movement.

Hans