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Thank you for your advice. I really do enjoy Philosophy, but not much of what they teach at school. The reason I am considering getting an M.A. is because I think it would help me perform better in law school. I guess I will have to think this over. Thanks again. Marcus Lange

Does anyone here have any advice as to what school has a good (by good I mean rational.. Maybe with an Objectivist Professor or two) masters level Philosophy program? Marcus Lange

Thanks Hal! "How "Activist" Should Judges Be? (CD) by Tara Smith" actually looks really good, especially since it is on CD and not on tape. Does anyone know of a complete book written on Philosophy of Law by an Objectivist scholar? Marcus Lange "The unexamined life is not worth living" Socrates

I am currently enrolled in a Philosophy of Law course at my University. I am taking this class because I plan on becoming a lawyer after undergrad, and have discovered that my knowledge on the philosophy of law is very lacking. Do any of you know of any Objectivist writings specifically on "Philosophy of Law"? I heard there is an Objectivist conference being planned on this subject in Colorado, but I do not have the necessary funds to get there. Thank you ahead of time for your help. Marcus Lange "The unexamined life is not worth living" Socrates

We got our faculty adviser from the economics department, here at FSU. He is a hardcore free markets advocate, and it is very enjoyable conversing with him. Even though I like many professors in the philosophy department, I dont think any of them would have been as well-suited as the economics professor.

This was what I thought on it too... But, wouldnt it in a way make you more dependent on coffee and less on your natural mental abilities? But then again, I guess this might not be a bad thing. Since taking vitamins, medicine, vaccinations etc to improve ones natural health is very similar. I guess I am just being a little silly in worrying about this. I just felt a little guilty when the thought popped into my head that this might be a little cheap way of attaining my schooling goals.. But after further analysis I conclude that there is nothing wrong with it. Marcus Lange

As a rational being I try to keep my mind in a high state of focus most of the time. Being a college student with a somewhat busy schedule, and studying for the upcomming LSAT exam this summer, I have started drinking more coffee than usual (still within a very safe limit) Lately I have been considering whether or not this is a good for my life. The affects of caffinee help me focus much easier, and make my day even more efficient. I understand that there are certain health risks, but when consummed in moderation, the benefits seem to outweigh the costs. My questions are these; Is using coffee/caffinee to enhance ones mental focus moral or immoral? Is it like cheating in a way? Would it be like using steroids in a physical competition? I personally dont think it is, but I would like to hear some of your thoughts on this topic. Thanks for your input Sincerely, Marcus Lange

I am beginning to save up some cash for a LSAT prep course. The two companies I am looking into are Kaplan and Princeton Review. I was wondering if anyone here that has taken a prep class has any advice as to what these companies strengths/weaknesses are? Thanks Marcus Lange

Oh wow lol! That website with the random post modernism text generation is almost identical to my "Multicultural Film" class (Gives a Y credit required for graduation here at FSU) articles that we have to read every week. Marcus Lange

Dictionary Definition off Dictionary.com: A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts. I already knew this before investigating though. I am mostly curious at to how Existenialism comes to these metaphysical conclusions about the universe being hostile or indifferent. Out of the conversation I have had with my friend, he has just suggested a couple of books on it and stated that it really changed his life. He doesnt consider himself an existentialist, but says that he incorporates much of the philosophy into his life. By good sources I meant information on the subject. Prefferably not a large book (I am pretty damn busy right now) As to how its changed his life.. It's a slight change I have noticed over the past year. Hard to explain unless you know him.. But increased marijuana use is one of the easily observable changes. Thanks Bold I will check that book out.

Could any of you tell me where I can find some good information on Existentialism? A friend of mine took a existentialism class recently and it seems ot have changed him a little for the worse.. I am curious as to what this philosophy is all about. Thanks Marcus Lange

(I have posted this before on another thread, so if any of my arguments require further explanation this might be because theres a bunch of text left out. So just ask if anything is unclear.) A new born child is unlikely to successfully fend for himself till he reaches maturity (sufficient knowledge and rationality to survive.) Since the state is responsibile for making sure there isnt any force initiated on the child, and children can have force initiated on them by simple lack of action on the parents (IE not feeding the child), they must set an objective requirement for one to lose the status of a child and become mature (legally an adult.) 18 is the age when most people finish basic high school education, have had much time experiencing the world, and therefore a good age for someone to legally become mature (having to care for oneself, being legally responsibile for all actions, being allowed to vote etc..) There should be exceptions to this rule, since different people mature at different times. A 16 year old that commits murder goes infront of a judge to determine whether or not he was aware and reasonable enough (mature) to understand his actions so he can be trialed as an adult. So someone that is underage, and for whatever reason (such as wanting to leave parents, voting reasons, job reasons etc) should be able to go infront of an objective judge and prove his maturity, thus aquiring adulthood before the age set by the state.

Where exactly is the new lecture at on the site?

the Student Survival Guide (http://www.aynrand.org/ssg/) is a pretty good guide towards making it through college with your mind in tact, and being able to enjoy life while you do it. Work very nicely for me. Marcus Lange

Hello everyone! My name is Marcus, and I have finally taken the time to sign up for these forums. I have been a "lurker" for a couple of weeks now, and look forward towards actually participating in some of this sites rational discussions. I am currently a 2nd year student at Florida State University, majoring in poli sci and philosophy for my pre-law. I am also the secretary of FSU Objectivism (www.fsuobjectivism.com) Sincerely, Marcus Lange "Love is the expression of one's values, the greatest reward you can earn for the moral qualities you have achieved in your character and person, the emotional price paid by one man for the joy he recieves from the virtues of others." Ayn Rand