Watch this interesting Phil Donahue episode from the 1970's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GS6vxb4H3M
This is very good. Guest Ayn Rand(best known for The Fountainhead and other great books) explains why belief in the promise of heaven may decrease the probability in a belief in doing all we can now to make THIS life better and more meaningful. If we can rationalize that it doesn't matter on this Earth what we do, then we can get into a dangerous area. What also bothers Rand is religion's preoccupation with some sort of end of the world scenario. Of course, Christ comes to save us all in the event of a nuclear holocaust. I wouldn't bet on it. I think we are responsible for our own actions here on Earth.
Here is what one Amazon reviewer said of Rand's "For the New Intellectual,"
For The New Intellectual, by Ayn Rand, is one of the better philosophy books I have read. It is comprised of the title essay, and 3 chapters dealing with Rand's three best novels: We The Living, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged. In the title essay, Rand makes an excellent case for the need of a new breed of intellectuals. Her objectivist philosophy ties in well with the writing, lending the power of reason and logic to her sometimes extreme statements. Of the final three chapters, I found the treatment of Atlas Shrugged to be the most impressive. Rand gives commentary on many of the great speeches and conversations from the book, ending with the amazing "This is John Galt Speaking" speech. While her comments are short, they lend insight into what she intended the different pieces to portray to the reader, and what they mean to her. On the whole, I think 'For The New Intellectual' is a pretty good book. Only the first 50-60 pages are her philosophical writings, but the rest of the book is a valuable tool for anyone who is a fan of her novels. I would recommend 'For The New Intellectual' to anyone interested in learning more about the objectivist philosophy and anyone who has read her novels.
or this review:
This is definitely the best book I read in a long time. Ayn Rand's Objectivism philosophy is fascinating to anyone that loves freedom, capitalism, and reason. This is not a book that any closed-minded socialist-like thinker should read (i.e. people that believe in increased federal government control over our lives). This book rightfully criticizes the intellectuals of the 20th century that promoted socialist programs and even socialism itself. Ayn Rand was a real thinker that reminded me of how great this country was and still could be if we return to what we were when this country was created by our democratic, capitalist, and intellectual founding fathers. I am looking forward to the Atlas Shrugged movie that is in the making.
Definitely a woman with her own mind. Kind of interesting that she had sort of an anti-liberal bias. I'll have to read up more on this philosophy of objectivism. Seems to fit in nicely with the Dawkins, Dennett and Harris crowd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GS6vxb4H3M
This is very good. Guest Ayn Rand(best known for The Fountainhead and other great books) explains why belief in the promise of heaven may decrease the probability in a belief in doing all we can now to make THIS life better and more meaningful. If we can rationalize that it doesn't matter on this Earth what we do, then we can get into a dangerous area. What also bothers Rand is religion's preoccupation with some sort of end of the world scenario. Of course, Christ comes to save us all in the event of a nuclear holocaust. I wouldn't bet on it. I think we are responsible for our own actions here on Earth.
Here is what one Amazon reviewer said of Rand's "For the New Intellectual,"
For The New Intellectual, by Ayn Rand, is one of the better philosophy books I have read. It is comprised of the title essay, and 3 chapters dealing with Rand's three best novels: We The Living, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged. In the title essay, Rand makes an excellent case for the need of a new breed of intellectuals. Her objectivist philosophy ties in well with the writing, lending the power of reason and logic to her sometimes extreme statements. Of the final three chapters, I found the treatment of Atlas Shrugged to be the most impressive. Rand gives commentary on many of the great speeches and conversations from the book, ending with the amazing "This is John Galt Speaking" speech. While her comments are short, they lend insight into what she intended the different pieces to portray to the reader, and what they mean to her. On the whole, I think 'For The New Intellectual' is a pretty good book. Only the first 50-60 pages are her philosophical writings, but the rest of the book is a valuable tool for anyone who is a fan of her novels. I would recommend 'For The New Intellectual' to anyone interested in learning more about the objectivist philosophy and anyone who has read her novels.
or this review:
This is definitely the best book I read in a long time. Ayn Rand's Objectivism philosophy is fascinating to anyone that loves freedom, capitalism, and reason. This is not a book that any closed-minded socialist-like thinker should read (i.e. people that believe in increased federal government control over our lives). This book rightfully criticizes the intellectuals of the 20th century that promoted socialist programs and even socialism itself. Ayn Rand was a real thinker that reminded me of how great this country was and still could be if we return to what we were when this country was created by our democratic, capitalist, and intellectual founding fathers. I am looking forward to the Atlas Shrugged movie that is in the making.
Definitely a woman with her own mind. Kind of interesting that she had sort of an anti-liberal bias. I'll have to read up more on this philosophy of objectivism. Seems to fit in nicely with the Dawkins, Dennett and Harris crowd.
Looking forward to the Obama inauguration. A lot of people have faith in this man and the whole world is watching. Expect a tremendous speech on Tuesday. :)
1 comment:
I've had conflicts about Ayn Rand for years -- she was a visionary and a spectacularly flawed individual on several levels.
The Passion of Ayn Rand, by Barbara Branden, is a good book to check out. Rand's anti-liberal bias comes from having a front-row seat to the Bolshevik revolution of 1917.
She was every bit as fascinating as her books, which can make your head spin even when you get to know the backstory.
Post a Comment