Jonny Glat

Proof of the contradictions that exist within the concept of "god" A is A. Which means a "thing" is. Which means a "thing" is something. Which means a "thing" has an essence - a nature unique to its identity. Man is Man. Which means Man is. Which means Man is (exists) something (Man) Which means Man has an essence - a nature unique to his identity I am. (I exist) I am myself (I have a unique identity) I am myself- and I know it (I possess consciousness) Every

Atlas, I also love Bioshock (only played the first) however I do not think that it was Levine's intention to present Objectivism/ Ayn Rand/ or even Capitalism in a positive light. It certainly is fair to cite Fontaine as a parasite which led to Rapture's destruction however I think Levine tried to show that free market capitalism is inherently evil. He package deals selfishness (Objectivism's definition of the concept) with cut throat force. Capitalism IS exploitative by nature according to Levine. Although I do not agree that Levine succeeded in damning capitalism or Rand, he defini

A simple reply to your determinist friend: If we are all just puppets on strings, manipulated by physics, by genes, subatomic particles, environmental stimuli, fate, god, chemicals, what have you. If our minds are an illusion, how can you know anything? How can you know that we're determined with certainty and not that you're just being manipulated to think that. All determinists, including your friend, nullify his own mind to know anything. In essence, what they contend is: "We are determined by genes and environment and chemicals. My mind doesn't exist. But how do I know this? My mi

right - i thk what my friend was saying is that: there are sum instances in which it is viable to use force for the long run. If you don't rob the dude you will die from cancer in weeks. Therefore it is rational to steal 50,000 dollars to ensure that you have a long(er) life.

let's assume that this is the only option (it is such a small chance - maybe even impossible) open to you. That there are no charitible organizations or doctors willing to work things out. Is it viable to steal in order to save your life?

This is a hypothetical situation that I've been debating with a friend concerning whether initiating force is 'ever' viable. My friend gives the situation in which a college student who doesn't receive help from his parents financially learns that he has cancer. He doesn't have insurance and can't pay for the operations, chemo, and other services. He will die in several months unless he receives treatment. The question: Is it viable in the long run to steal $50,000 from someone he doesn't know to pay for all the treatments that will 'most likely' allow him to survive for many years afterw

"Society creates rights" is NOT the same as saying "Society has the right to create rights". Society creates rights may be true or untrue, depending on the society. (IE: North Korean society doesn't create rights. The dictator defines "rights" - which is unfortunately the same problem with democracy. Majority vote does not imply that the rights supports for its citizens are rational, objective "rights". "Society creates rights" is a factual statement. It could be right or wrong depending on the context. "Society has the right to create rights" is also a factual statement but it i

"Society is a large number of men who live together in the same country, and who deal with one another." - Rand. Society how I believe you are defining it, is majority whim. Rights are not objective because the majority votes it into existence or because the majority of a group agree that it should be a right. Rights are objective "moral principles" derived from reason- which is man's only source of knowledge. Democratic votes do not change reality- man's identity is a volitional conscious being who must think to survive. Rights are corollaries of Man's metaphysical identity. If you be

Dear LeftistSpew, Ron Paul is absolutely, objectively not a statist. I'd check your definition of Statism and then do research on Ron Paul beyond emotional whim.

"To live, man must hold three things as the supreme and ruling values of his life: Reason—Purpose—Self-esteem. Reason, as his only tool of knowledge—Purpose, as his choice of the happiness which that tool must proceed to achieve—Self-esteem, as his inviolate certainty that his mind is competent to think and his person is worthy of happiness, which means: is worthy of living." Reason: I know that healthy dieting and exercise will increase my health in the moment, my life's longevity, and my physique. These are metaphysical facts. Chocolate in excess makes you fat. Being a couch potato in ex

John Fowles is one of my favorite authors and "The Magus" is in my top 5 favorite novels of all time. I first read it when I was in high school (about 16 years young) and have reread it three times since then. I love Fowles' writing style which so expressive, honest, and descriptive. I love his ability to construct an original plot that is such a beautiful blend of philosophical inquiry, suspense, romantic exploration, and internal conflict. Particularly regarding "The Magus", I fell in love with Nicholas Urfe, the protagonist, who is such an irrational, contradiction-riddled character tha

John Fowles is one of my favorite authors and "The Magus" is in my top 5 favorite novels of all time. I first read it when I was in high school (about 16 years young) and have reread it three times since then. I love Fowles' writing style which so expressive, honest, and descriptive. I love his ability to construct an original plot that is such a beautiful blend of philosophical inquiry, suspense, romantic exploration, and internal conflict. Particularly regarding "The Magus", I fell in love with Nicholas Urfe, the protagonist, who is such an irrational, contradiction-riddled character tha

Which songs in particular do you contend "conceal a hidden moral or commentary through verbosity" ?? And I agree with the fact that they are "focused, melodious and expressive"

The City of Ember is a good "young adult" dystopian novel that is concise and an easy read but not too original. I do enjoy its parable-like simplicity though about individual will power, fear, and bureaucratic cronyism. Also I highly recommend reading "The House of the Scorpion" which is another "young adult" dystopia but is definitely more adult than "City of Ember". The author, Nancy Farmer, is an excellent storyteller particularly when handling child characters. The book takes place in a futuristic Mexico which is run by an Oligarchy of Opium mob families that use clones as slaves. Ver

I'm a huge fan of Vampire Weekend and was wondering if anyone else was... In general what I love about VW is their positivity, their upbeat tempos, Ezra's talented vocals and their creative punchy, afro-pop-meets-beach boys style. Upon doing more research on the band, I learned that they met while studying at Columbia and all come from families of means. This last bit doesn't really matter to me but I love how they made something of myself, worked, and created beautiful, original music when they didn't have to in order to pay the bills. Also as far as Objectivism goes, there are certain