Actually if judged by his works he was a pagan monarchist, a conservative, and a green of sorts. His books are good but don’t have much to do with libertarianism, except for the pagan thing.
The novels are great for introducing those who normally wouldn’t be interested in reading non-fiction on the free market philosophy.
They are good starting points, the problem lies with the people who then go on and stay focused only on Rand or Objectivism.
Like with Milton Friedman, good for some people - but if you completely follow him until the end on all positions = monetarist…
Several good starting points for different people, but all needs to end with the Austrian School.
Juan, Tolkien’s Roman Catholicism influenced the Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion far more than paganism ever did. While his pagan influences dictate the aesthetics, and feel of the works, his Catholicism dicates the themes.
I’ve always thought of Rand as an average to slightly above average novelist. As a philosopher, she’s an average to slightly above average novelist.
I fail to see how ? Tolkien’s fictional world strikes me as clearly pagan. There’s no god but several god-like powers none of which really has the upper hand. Which Roman Catholic themes do you think the LOTR deals with ?
Touche.
WIN +100
Yea that comment pretty much won the whole topic.
Topic over due to Knights +12 intelligence.
The actual problem of Objectivism is that it is a closed system when it, like any other philosophy, should be an open and growing one. I personally am much closer to David Kelley’s brand of Neo-objectivism. Their cultish factionalism is also an issue, as is their inconsistency in sticking to their own principles. I don’t think there’s much wrong with the philosophy itself. And as for Rand’s fiction, I like it - if others don’t, that’s their problem. I’d recommend people read Sciabarra’s book on Rand if they want to have a vociferous opinion on her, to comprehend the depth of her thought, rather than just casually dismiss her as a hack.
Christians are permitted to use metaphor too.
http://dir.salon.com/story/books/feature/2003/12/03/tolkien_lewis/index.html
Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia were both strongly metaphorical to the Christian theme. Or, maybe the christian theme and other literature share the fundamental building blocks of good plot development.
Can you link it? I would like to read it, I do like Objectivism on a few points and have read some of Rand’s work, the problem I find many have with Rand’s work is rooted basically in the sentiment that you display here (likely unintentionally), “I read this and now I am at odds.”
Catholic themes include the theme of sacrifice, that evil can only dement and destroy what has already been created good, and the fact that the elves’ state of melancholy, and exile is a direct result of their rebellion against the court of Valar in order to pursue Morgoth into Middle Earth.
Even Tolkien referred to them as “fundamentaly religious, and Catholic.”
is it pagan? is it christian? is there a common ground?
It is but one must keep in mind how strongly much of its mythos is influenced by norse mythology.
Some things that genuinely appeal to me about objectivism:
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It (at least seeks) to correct the error in traditional moral philosophy of categorically separating morality from self-interest.
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I believe that Rand’s critique of mainstream libertarianism actually has some merit - the movement is muddled and confused, lacking any comprehensive and sound underlying philosophy.
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Despite her apparent hatred of libertarians, her influence on modern American libertarianism is undeniable.
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Her critique of deontology is illuminating; altough Neitzsche could have told you more or less the same thing in a different way.
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Like all thick forms of libertarianism, Objectivism involves a more systematic and broad palette of values than just the NAP and property rights.
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I share her views on the moral-practical dichotomy.
Some things that I dislike about objectivism:
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As someone mentioned already, it’s a closed system, perhaps with the exception of David Kelly’s version and a variety of “objectivish” or “post-objectivist” philosophers.
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Objectivism has always involved a quirky implied psychology and many objectivists in my experience are horrible armchair psychologizers.
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I think that her attempt to get around the is-ought issue is insufficient.
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As a political philosophy, it has no real opposition to centralization built into it - I’ve had Objectivists tell me that they would not principally oppose a global government if it was an objectivist one.
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Hardline Objectivists of the Piekoff variety are worse than your average neocon on foreign policy issues. They also rabidly support IP.
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When they debate against anarchism, Objectivists tend to fall back on fairly predictable statist dogmas that contradicts other elements of their own political philosophy.
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I’ve always considered Rand’s views on aesthetics to be bonkers.
I am not an objectivist, but I do like Ayn Rand.
Hmmm…would one less make you step down from your throne…?
I think there would be appeal in here justifications, or creation, of the morality of the capitalist sytem. I think far too many Objectivists are warmongers and the current owner of the Rand estate (i.e. Leonard Peikoff) is pretty much takes a Neoconservative stance on foreign policy issues.
I like a lot of what Ayn Rand says but I still think Objectivism is…too strong. That being said, Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged are two of my favorite books.
There is indeed a God in Tolkiens universe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eru_Il%C3%BAvatar
The wizards and more powerful beings are pretty similar to angels in their being, differing ranks, and functions.
I’m honestly not familiar enough with explicitly catholic dogma to give extensive commentary of catholic themes within the LOTR but parts of the Silmarrilion most notably could be shown as metaphor for the fall of lucifer (in Melkor) who became Satan (who became Morgoth).