qpwoeiru Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 I want to learn more about rights. I've read Rand, but want to go further back. Who influenced her? Which philosophers? I also want to know more about the American system of government. Right now, it's a tangled mess of titles, laws, processes and terms that have no meaning to me. What should I read to start untangling the mess? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenelli01 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Aristotle, she said, was the only philosopher that influenced her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softwareNerd Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 I also want to know more about the American system of government. Right now, it's a tangled mess of titles, laws, processes and terms that have no meaning to me. What should I read to start untangling the mess?You could start with the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. If you want starter constitutional commentary, there are two books I'd recommend: A Familiar Exposition of The Constitution of the United States - Joseph Story [This takes the constitution, section by section, explaining it very simply and providing a bit of background] To Secure these Rights - Scott Douglas Gerber [This is more opinion. The thesis of this book is that the central purpose of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were to secure individual rights] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenelli01 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 You could start with the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. If you want starter constitutional commentary, there are two books I'd recommend: A Familiar Exposition of The Constitution of the United States - Joseph Story [This takes the constitution, section by section, explaining it very simply and providing a bit of background] The book is online at http://www.intellectualtakeout.org/library/books/familiar-exposition-constitution-united-states?library_node=71291 Very good read. softwareNerd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reidy Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Yes, she said that Aristotle was her only philosophical influence, but that doesn't prove that he was. John Locke's theory of rights seems to have been a big influence, as it was on the American founders. His Second Treatise, available in various editions, is his most important political work. George Smith, famous libertarian scholar, has an audiobook about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reidy Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Addendum: Eric Mack, Objectivist academic, has co-written a book about Locke. (To anticipate the inevitable objections that Mack is not an Objectivist, I say: OK, have it your way.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Christensen Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Ludwig von Mises Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninth Doctor Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 George Smith, famous libertarian scholar, has an audiobook about it. Follow the link to get it for a notably lower price: http://forum.objecti...430#entry292224 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qpwoeiru Posted February 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 I know this is an old topic, but I'll revive it instead of making a new one. To my original question about understanding the American government: I've read the constitution, Joseph Story's Exposition on it, my State's constitution, bought The Federalist Papers (haven't read them yet), but what comes next? Is there a hierarchy of knowledge when it comes to studying law? Not just constitution law, but perhaps law/laws in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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