Questor Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Greetings, all. I am relatively new to Rand and Objectivism, having read Anthem a couple of years ago and The Fountainhead only the day before yesterday. I have been progressing toward this area of thought for a few years, after learning to reject state economies in favor of markets, and after developing via Thoreau, Gandhi, and the Stoics a moral code that is virtually identical to the libertarian nonaggression principle. I used to find some meaning in being a "Humanist", but it's been years, and I only mention it here because Rand's book brought back the spirited optimism I used to have before working with the public ground it out of me. But I digress! Anyhoo, I'm here to learn more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Repairman Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Welcome to the Forum, Questor. How much of Ayn Rand's non-fiction have you read? The two novels you sited are excellent, but the broader scope of Objective is not related to stoicism, humanism, nor libertarian politics, although I might understand how someone would make comparisons. I don't know if Ayn Rand ever commented on Thoreau or Gandhi, but she certainly disapproved the transcendentalist and Buddhist schools of thoughts. However, if you have specific questions related to Objectivism, this is the place. And I would strongly urge you to read some of the many non-fiction works, if you have not already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softwareNerd Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindborg Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 20 hours ago, Questor said: a moral code that is virtually identical to the libertarian nonaggression principle. Sounds like you think for yourself. All reason leads to the same fundamental ideas. Sure, different ideas must be tested and validated by science, but many things have been tested and demonstrated not to work. That optimism you talk of is very important. I think too many lose it due to inaction and lack of constant growth. I think internal honesty is essential to keeping that flame alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Questor Posted June 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 19 hours ago, Repairman said: Welcome to the Forum, Questor. How much of Ayn Rand's non-fiction have you read? The two novels you sited are excellent, but the broader scope of Objective is not related to stoicism, humanism, nor libertarian politics, although I might understand how someone would make comparisons. I don't know if Ayn Rand ever commented on Thoreau or Gandhi, but she certainly disapproved the transcendentalist and Buddhist schools of thoughts. However, if you have specific questions related to Objectivism, this is the place. And I would strongly urge you to read some of the many non-fiction works, if you have not already. The only bit of her nonfiction I'm aware of is The Virtue of Selfishness, but I will do some doing and see what else is out there. I have a copy of her letters. What I took from Thoreau was a belief in self reliance, and a conviction ("On Civil Disobedience") that one should do what is right, as opposed to what society expects. Gandhi reinforced those; self-reliance was part of his platform, and his code of nonviolence made me think about the use of force for the first time. 11 hours ago, Mindborg said: Sounds like you think for yourself. All reason leads to the same fundamental ideas. Sure, different ideas must be tested and validated by science, but many things have been tested and demonstrated not to work. That optimism you talk of is very important. I think too many lose it due to inaction and lack of constant growth. I think internal honesty is essential to keeping that flame alive. I embraced freethought back in 2006, although the practice took me away from other 'rationalists' who followed the progressive party line on various issues. Reading The Fountainhead has made me aware of a core problem with that community, as well as others...they are all obsessed with the opinions of others. 14 hours ago, softwareNerd said: Welcome to the forum. Thank you. I must say, the background here is especially pleasing, this image of a city at dawn.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindborg Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 8 hours ago, Questor said: Thank you. I must say, the background here is especially pleasing, this image of a city at dawn.. Looks like Hong Kong, but I could be wrong. 8 hours ago, Questor said: The only bit of her nonfiction I'm aware of is The Virtue of Selfishness, but I will do some doing and see what else is out there. I have a copy of her letters. What I took from Thoreau was a belief in self reliance, and a conviction ("On Civil Disobedience") that one should do what is right, as opposed to what society expects. Gandhi reinforced those; self-reliance was part of his platform, and his code of nonviolence made me think about the use of force for the first time. Capitalism the unknown ideal is very good. I also really love Nathaniel Branden's material. He's got a long seminar on Objectivism with a lot of explanations that are implicit in Atlas and Fountainhead. 8 hours ago, Questor said: I embraced freethought back in 2006, although the practice took me away from other 'rationalists' who followed the progressive party line on various issues. Reading The Fountainhead has made me aware of a core problem with that community, as well as others...they are all obsessed with the opinions of others. Seems to be the issue all over. Living up to other people's expectations, instead of worrying about internal convictions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Joyous Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 (edited) Hi:) As a personal moral code, I embrace the virtues described by Nathaniel Branden in his "Six Pillars of Self-Esteem. " The hardest ones for me are self-acceptance, self-responsibility, and acting upon my best thoughts. How about you? Edited July 31, 2017 by Mike Joyous Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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