spydawebz

Perhaps its only inexperience that makes one see things this way, but I agree with One Prime Mover. Once I read some of Rand's works I immediately said "I am Objectivist.", now after reading this forum I've decided to hold off on that statement because of some helpful advice, and witnessing some words I deem scary coming from people here who I call themeselves Objectivist. I respect Ayn Rand immensely, but I don't take her word as infallible. Some people seem to quote Ms. Rand as though her mere words make things fact, and discount any opposition as irrational on the sole basis that they disagree with AR. I wish you would see everyone using their own judgment as the basis of their claims and backing them up, rather than starting with what AR said and working to try and prove it. Before I get flamed: This is my opinion. I will not name names or specific posts simply because I don't want to have an meaningless debate with anyone who I believe isn't being entirely rational, but yet has more Objectivist experience than I. I just wanted to add my verbal support ot One Prime Movers post, and let him know that he isn't the only one.

Breaking your leg while skiing is a potential consequence of skiing, and the responsible thing to do is to seek medical attention to and to stop skiing for the moment. So since seeking medical attention would be the responsible thing to do, I don't think that analogy works very well. For the same reason that it would be irresposible to buy a puppy, then pay to have it put to sleep because you do not wish to go through the trouble of house training it and it keeps relieving itself on your carpet. Yes, child birth is much more responsibility and a much bigger issue than owning a puppy, which should make sex, especially unprotected and/or without some form of birth control, all that much bigger a decision and definately something not to be taken as casually as some people take it. There are certain instances in which I think abortion is perfectly fine. In case where the woman was a victim and not consenting to the act, or consented to the act under force. She would have no repsonsibility to any child produced by such a dispicable act then. Children concieved out of acts of incest fall into this category as well. Again, I believe that women do have the right to choose. However, I believe that abortion is not a responsible way out of a situation that you knew full well could happen when you entered into the act. In a crude way its almost like bribing your way out of trouble with the law instead of taking responsibility for your actions and taking whatever punishment is dealt you. Sorry for not reading through all 7 pages of this thread, I needed to spare my eyes of undue pain staring at the compter screen reading for that long. I thought the first and last pages would be sufficient. I wish I would have been around since its inception, but I'm here now and decided just to way in with my 2 cents.

I just wanted to weigh in on the whole abortion thing from my perspective. Before I became an Objectivist I was fully pro life. Now that I have some different ideals, I have mixed feelings about it. I believe that it is in fact a womans right to choose, simply because the option is there for abortion, and no man has a right to force a choice on another. However, I think when it comes to the choice that any rational, responsible mind, would choose life. With the undertanding that you are in full control of your own actions, and are fully aware of all potential consequences (which you should be before taking such action), then you know that sex leads to pregnancy. Sure, there are plenty of precautions you can take, but aside from abstinence or a Hysterectomy no precaution is full proof. I contend that since you were aware of the potential consequences, you should by all rights take responsibility when they happen. That responsibility is to carry the child to term and berth it into this world. After that, if you want to give up responsibility and pass it on to someone who wants it (adoption), that is your choice. Abortion is just an easy fix for the irresposible in my humble opinion.

I too was introduced to Objectivism through the works of Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series.

I love objectivist epistemology. Using the mind, reason, facts, and reality as the base of all knowledge seems so simplistic its almost unfathomable how anyone just can't "get it". I also love the ideal of rational self interest/egoism. Of being an end in and of myself. Of serving my own self interest, and my own goals, and not feeling guilty about someone elses situation of their own making. Its still taking some getting used to, and I'm still having some trouble figuring out exactly how what I believe now affects what I believed in the past (for example I was pro life, however now I see things differently but haven't exactly rationalized what I believe yet other than it is any individuals right to choose.) Its an interesting journey, and I know I've only taken the first few steps and have a long road ahead of me, but I'm eager to travel it.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I currently live in a suburb of Toledo Ohio, but we (my wife, kids, and I) are planning on moving to a bigger place in the summer. I plan on staying in the Toledo area though.

Hello everyone. My name is Todd. I'm a 25 year old male from northwest Ohio. I'm currently employed as a security guard, and am starting college in the summer (Ms. Rands influence had much to do with that decision.) I was first exposed to objectivism in the works of Terry Goodkind http://www.terrygoodkind.com), the Sword of Truth series. After finding out what the philosophy was called (I originally thought it was Terry's since I had never heard anything like that before), I immediately starting soaking up information. I've only been at it for a month, and only read one of Ayn Rand's books (Philosophy: Who Needs It?), but I already feel like my life is changing. I just picked up a copy of Atlas Shrugged today at my local library and plan on reading it over the next few weeks. My librarian said it was her "number one life changing book of all time". From what I've heard from others, I think it will have that affect on me too. I am very excited about reading it. Like I said I'm new to objectivism, and have spent most of my life with a mixed bag of philosophies guiding me (altruism being the worst of them), so forgive me for my naivety in this field. I am relying on feedback from others, and possibly some debate when I feel adequately informed, to help me grow as an objectivist.