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gio

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Everything posted by gio

  1. I just started a Youtube channel. I have a terrible accent and I probably make a lot of mistakes in English. I hope it's understandable. I devoted a video to the following topic: What do the French (in general) think about Ayn Rand? I would be glad to have your feedback.
  2. First of all, Objectivism is not materialist at all (neither Idealist). Ayn Rand doesn't thought that the mind was reducable to matter. The reason she was atheistic, is because she was rationnal. Her experience in the Soviet Union has given her an idea of how men can be vicious, the damage of altruism, and the need for a real response to evil, because she tells herself how much the "whites" contributed as much to the evil as the "reds ". Contrary to what many people think, altruism doesn't mean benevolence towards others. Altruism means self-sacrifice for others, this is the definition used by Ayn Rand, the definition of Auguste Comte who was the creator of the concept of altruism. Objectivism is not compatible with altruism, but fully compatible with benevolence towards others, as long as those actions benefit to you ; in others words, as long as you value them. About environmental issues, I really advice you check out Alex Epstein. Actually there is no catastrophic climate change. Anarcho-capitalism is incompatible with Objectivism for many reasons. Check out my Youtube playlist : Objectivist critics of anarcho-capitalism. (Maybe watch first the video: IDOAR #11: Damned to Repeat It, Pt. 2 - Anarchism) I was socialist, leftist, close to anarcho-communism when I was younger. Shifting helped me a lot to solve psychological troubles. I was disturbed by many contradictions. Yes it made me happier in general. It's sane to stop blaming the world or society for all your problems.
  3. I'm sorry, I haven't read all the answers, but I'll bring mine, if it can be useful. It might fit with what has already been said. Everyone who is interested in Objectivism observes that this philosophy rejects many false dichotomy: Body vs. Mind Reason vs. Emotions The moral vs. The practical Free will vs. causality Rationalism vs. Empiricism Theory vs. Practice Etc. In my opinion, Consequentialism vs. Deontology is simply one of those false dichotomies, which has the same roots as "The moral vs. The practical".
  4. I was thinking about something else about tabula rasa recently. If there are natural differences between boys and girls, and not only in anatomy of course (Ayn Rand says so and I agree), doesn't it contradict her idea that we're born tabula rasa?
  5. I neither include nor exclude anti-concepts and invalid concepts in the term "concept" : I ask the question. I'm not advocating anything, I'm looking for explanations. And the question is : in the Ayn Rand's statements that I quoted, does she includes anti-concepts and invalid concept? If she excludes invalid concepts and anti-concepts, aren't they part of Rand's theory of concepts?
  6. So Ayn Rand wasn't talking about all concepts here, but only the valids ? ...concepts as objective [...] as produced by man’s consciousness in accordance with the facts of reality, as mental integrations of factual data computed by man—as the products of a cognitive method of classification whose processes must be performed by man, but whose content is dictated by reality. I'm not trolling at all, I am sincere. I try to understand because someone made that objection to me and I couldn't answer. I may recognize it's my personal failure to understand. That's precisely why I'm asking the question and why I'm looking for explanations. If you are tired to answer me because I don't understand, please, don't do it.
  7. If so, it would mean that invalid concepts are objective, dictated by reality... but you said it's not the case!
  8. So, Ayn Rand's answer to problem of universals, Ayn Rand's theory of concepts, which concludes that concepts are objective, is wrong according to what you say...because it doesn't apply to invalid concepts, which are yet concepts. Or....?
  9. gio

    Marxism

    Come in my country if you want to meet much marxists!
  10. Ok but it doesn't matter. Anyway, do anti-concepts or invalid concepts are objective (dictated by reality) ? If not, aren't they concepts ? Ayn Rand said concepts are objective (dictated by reality)...it's her answer to the problem of universals. So I don't understand.
  11. If invalid concept or anti-concepts (such as gremlins or unicorns or phlogiston...) are still concept, why Ayn Rand said that concepts are objective (dictated by reality) ? Does she exclude invalide concept when she said so? Why? When I use the concept of unicorn (just like now), do I block understanding and even prevent clearly articulating the issues involved by obfuscatory or evasive vocabulary?
  12. gio

    Marxism

    Using marxist theory of exploitation : Let V be the "variable capital" corresponding to wages and C the constant capital corresponding to machines, tools, buildings, land, etc. Let's suppose that pl is the capital gain derived by the employer from the labor of the employees. We define E, the exploitation rate by the equation E = pl / V, and P, the rate of profit by the equation P = pl / (C + V). The "organic" composition of the company's capital is defined by the equation K = (C + V) / V. Using these equations, the profit rate (P) can be expressed as a function of the organic composition of capital (K) and of the exploitation rate (E). Indeed, pl = V.E; P = V.E / (C + V); Therefore P = E / K. However, under the conditions of perfect competition which is the frame of reference of Marx, the exploitation rate (E) and the rate of profit (P) are the same in all branches of production regardless of the organic composition of capital . The last equation shows that if the organic composition of capital (K) varies from branch to branch or from enterprise to enterprise, the rate of exploitation being given and everywhere the same, the rate of profit (P) varies from branch to branch or from enterprise to enterprise. That is impossible.
  13. Simple question about objectivist theory of concepts. Ayn Rand said : None of [the traditional theories of concepts] regards concepts as objective, i.e., as neither revealed nor invented, but as produced by man’s consciousness in accordance with the facts of reality, as mental integrations of factual data computed by man—as the products of a cognitive method of classification whose processes must be performed by man, but whose content is dictated by reality. What about false concepts ? (Like the phlogiston for instance.) It seems not "dictated by reality". Did Ayn Rand (or Peikoff or somebody else) said something about that kind of concept? (Where?) In IOE, she talked a bit about invalid concepts and call them "anti-concepts" : Invalid concepts are words that represent attempts to integrate errors, contradictions, or false propositions, such as concepts originating in mysticism—or words without specific definitions, without referents, which can mean anything to anyone, such as modern ‘anti-concepts’.” Any such term is detached from reality and “invalidates every proposition or process of thought in which it is used as a cognitive assertion. Does it mean they're not concept at all? They don't derive from the same process as valid concepts? Thank you for your lights!
  14. I don't know, I just wonder if the newborn cry is an emotion or not.
  15. I've read already this. How does it answer the question according to you? You mean that the newborn cry because of physical pain, not emotion ?
  16. If there is no innate ideas, and if emotions derives from the ideas, why the newborn cry ?
  17. As a significant phenomenon, yes, it is mainly entrepreneurs and businessmen. People who wish to do politics or administration do not leave France, it is the country dreamed for it. Actually a supporter of mixed economy, you should say. Who is, however, a little more pro-capitalist than what France has known so far (especially from a center-left guy). He's a bit like Tony Blair... But France has never known her Thatcher.
  18. How the fact that french brains, in business (entrepreneurs), have actually left the country could explain Macron's success? It's seems a poor explanation from someone who doesn't know this country...
  19. Right but even then, 16% is few.
  20. According to a poll, only 16% of the people who voted Macron did so for his program. Somebody I know said : "This is rationnal because elected people don't apply their programm."
  21. Or you can also check his first two speeches since he was elected yesterday. The first (5 minutes long) : And few hours later, in a different style (12mn long) :
  22. As I said, the big problem with Macron is that when he makes speeches, it's so blurry, so general ideas, that you have no precise ideas where he wants to go. He was often mocked because of this, and many commentators said that he didn't have a program, or that we didn't know what he will going to do. I can tell you he was not elected for his ideas. He was elected because he is new, fresh, he doesn't have a political background from the mainstream party, he looks different, modern smart, and competent. For example, you can watch this video, very instructive, which was made by a Marine Le Pen supporter. The guy is asking Macron's supporter what are Macron's ideas : I'll translate you : First person — You support Macron. — Absolutely. — Why? — Because he's hot! No seriously, because he represents the fresh, the renewal, and so on. — The renewal, what do you mean? — I mean he's not an 70 years old guy. He is less than 40. — He was in Hollande government. — Exactly. No problem. Second person — This is a new vision. — What vision? — Gather people who do not agree. That does not mean it's blurry or... — Gather people on what ideas? What are the ideas? — What are the ideas? Julien, help us! — Julien, what are Macron's ideas? — I don't want to answer. — We'll see at the meeting. — OK, so in fact you don't know. — Yes I know, but I don't want to talk now...lol. — Thank you. I will seek for Macron's ideas. — You'll find it quickly I think! — I hope! I doubt... Hey mister! What are Macron's ideas? — I don't know. — You don't know? — No. Third person — What are Macron's ideas? — LOL. Am I obliged to answer? — Not at all. Fourth person (with round glasses) — What are Macron's ideas? — Euuuuuuuuhh... eeeeeeeuuuuh.... [looking around] I don't know... eeeeuuuuuhhh... well... they're good! Fifth person (young guy) — What are the political ideas he advocates for, concretely ? — Very good question. Euuuuuuuuuuhhh........... I don't know. Honestly, very complicated question. Moreover, I didn't understood everything. Euuuh....how can I say? Euuuuh..... Last person — I must admit that I have very recently become acquainted with the various points. I watched some videos and...that's it. Of course you can tell this is a political video where they show only people who did this kind of answer, but I think it's representative of most people who voted for him unfortunately. What I can say about him if you ask me few of Macron's signature positions (but I don't say he usually mentions them in his speeches. His speeches are blurry.) : He is open to globalization and free trade. Pro-EU. He wants to free the work. More freedom for the private sector. But counterbalance with some protections. He wants to gather different opinions. (He presents himself as pragmatic.) He wants to "moralizing" and renewing French political life. New faces, new methods, new practical. The school also has a recurring place in its speeches, he wants to reform it and develop the training. And he wants also to fight against terrorism, but this is not particular to him, almost every politician say the same about. In his first year as president, he's supposed to focus on reforming the labor code, "moralizing" political life and on reforming school I think. And pursue the fight against terrorism. If you want, you can watch the debate he made against Marine Le Pen, there is voiceover in english :
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