Yes Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 A recent issue of National Review reprised this article written in 1957 by Whittaker Chambers about Ayn Rand's great novel Atlas Shrugged. You can read that article here An excellent counterpoint to such an article by Robert Tracinski explains the fallaciousness of Chambers' article and serves as a reminder to us what the dark side of Conservatism is, even today. Footnote- many of the time-worn criticisms of Objectivism may be found in this article by Chambers. Interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen Publius Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 Thank you for making this post. Here is an e-mail exchange I had with TIA Daily concerning this: From: Daniel Hayden [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 12:38 AM To: TIA Daily Subject: Just a quick line here. I am 47 years old. If my memory does not fail me, I first heard of Whittaker Chambers as being involved with the Communist Party and the founding of the United Nations. I had never seen this review but, it looks like a late 1950s hatchet job. ---Dan Dan -- Chambers was indeed a former Communist, who later turned to the right by embracing Catholicism. All of which makes the selection of him as the author to review Ayn Rand all the worse. -- Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yes Posted January 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 Chambers was indeed a former Communist, who later turned to the right by embracing Catholicism. All of which makes the selection of him as the author to review Ayn Rand all the worse. -- Robert Dan, might it be possible that chambers reviewed Atlas Shrugged on his own, then persuaded National Review to publish it? I wonder if he was not necessarily selected to do this scathing review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolboxnj Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 I picked up this book The Essential Neoconservative Reader (because it was only $3) and read a frightening essay in it called "Moral Sources of Capitalism" by George Gilder. In it, he confirms what Ayn Rand writes about in Conservatism: An Obituary in reference to the conservative defense of capitalism on the basis of faith. Here are some notable quotes: "Capitalist production entails faith - in one's neighbors, in one's society and in the compensatory logic of the cosmos [i assume God]." "Because the vast majority of investments fail, the moment of decision is pregnant with doubt and promise and suffused to some degree with faith." "Capitalism is based on the idea that we live in a world of unfathomable complexity, ignorance, and peril, and that we cannot possibly prevail over our difficulties without constant efforts of initiative, sympathy, discovery and love" (Emphasis mine) "[Capitalism as opposed to socialism] asserts that we must give long before we can know what the univerise will return" - I mean, what the hell? That sounds like the whole altrustic "sacrifice today, rewarded in Heaven tomorrow". Again, Emphasis mine. "[socialism] is based on empirically calculable power; [capitalism] on optimism and faith. [...] When faith dies, so does enterprise." "Trust in others, the hope for the future, the faith in a providential God that allows freedom [...] prompts the catalytic gifts of capitalism." Here's the kicker! "Adam Smith's self-interest, however, is little more persuasive than Marxist ideas of exploitation and taking as an explanation of capitalist prosperity. The pursuit of self-interest would lead not to the always risky and unpromising ventures of capitalism in an uncertain and perilous world, but to the quest for the safety and security in an ever growing welfare state. The only way to escape the vicious cycles of poverty is through the expanding circles of creative giving, the investments of brave men with hope for the future, trust in fellow man and faith in providence. This impluse of philanthropy is the prime gift of business success." So, anyone who believes that conservatives are friends of capitalism, think again. This shouldn't be news to anyone on this site. Sounds alot like James Taggert, eh? TB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yes Posted February 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 I picked up this book The Essential Neoconservative Reader (because it was only $3) and read a frightening essay in it called "Moral Sources of Capitalism" by George Gilder.........So, anyone who believes that conservatives are friends of capitalism, think again. This shouldn't be news to anyone on this site. Sounds alot like James Taggert, eh? TB Excellent! Really excellent. In my opinion, Objectivists have to understand that their best political allies are not the Conservatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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