Hazmatac

I'm not sure exactly what I want, what's with the questioning?

Well, I am uncertain because I have not done it in a long time, and don't know if I will like it in the same way. Should though. Also, I plan on attending DeAnza college in California.

To decrease boredom by doing something I like, and possibly make a career out of film

Hi, in the Ayn Rand lexicon, it says about thinking: "the process of thinking is defining identity and discovering causal connections." It goes on to say in another entry that thinking is the process of identification (like the first entry) and integration (this I don't know if it's like the first entry). So, my question is, what is thinking aside from defining identity? I don't understand discovering causal connections or integration. Any help is welcome. Thanks

Like the title says, can application in college increase your self-esteem as much as getting a job? I wonder because Rand says specifically "productive work" should be one's purpose, not learning. My situation: Not really 100% certain I still like it, but I am going to be going to school shortly for film, and I get paid to go because my dad's a disabled veteran from vietnam so I don't have to work while learning. Will this increase my self-esteem as much as a job, or more or less? Thank you.

Greetings Jesper, welcome.

So, it sounds like this chapter mainly has to do with the distinction between the metaphysical and the man-made, and what actions you can take about either, such as judgement, or creation, or appraisle. And this principle also specifies when NOT to accept something as metaphysically given (like taxation), or thinking that something could have been another way(the metaphysically given). No? Thanks Michael and John

Hey, I was wondering what this means and why is it important (necessary to understanding Oism (as implied by being in OPAR)). I don't understand the principle, but I know it focuses on the metaphysical as opposed to the man-made. But, why focus on the metaphysical as opposed to the man-made? That's about as far as I grasp on this issue. Help is needed. Thanks

No, that sounds like second-handerism, not altruism.

sorry, please remove this post

Ok, so it seems like what the idea is, is when a thing acts or changes, it is still acting in accordance with its identity. So, a phone sitting staticly on a table is identity, while that phone dropping and shattering is causality (not a good examples because phones don't usually shatter though) I'll have to try out that 'causality walk' next time I go for a walk. Sounds entertaining.

Hi, I believe this deserves its own topic, as my last question only partially goes over this. My question is, what is causality? What does it imply? Why is it important? I really have no references in my mind when I bring this up, like I would have with identity, and would appreciate understasnding what this means. Thanks.

I think this is a question about causality as well, so I'll post it here. My qestion (maybe misbegotten) is "no-one caused the universe, because _______________" My question is what is the alternative. If it is not caused, is that to say that an infinity of time has passed so far in the universe? (Going back just one step more) My goal is to understand this concept of causality better, and this is one of the questions I am having difficulty with. Thanks

Excessive concern with others is not the same as a moral code. The highest virtue in altruism is self-sacrifice, not giving others value or authority in your own mind.

I believe your definition of altruism is wrong. I wouldn't say, "hey, that guy's arrogant, he's probably an altruist," or "he's showing off, he must be altruistic." It has to do with others only insofar as to give them values, even at your expense.

Hi, not sure which forum this should go to, so I put it in epistemology because it relates to knowledge (of a book). Just thought I'd give a heads up for those unaware, and who are trying to tackle OPAR. There is a study group on talkshoe.com where they go into each chapter/section, and have a discussion about it. This can be pretty helpful to chew the ideas. That's it. Enjoy. http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkC...amp;pageSize=15 and http://www.objectivismseminar.com

Thanks guys. I think my main problem is just being active, because oftentimes I feel like I can make friends but I just don't really go out and do much. I think I need more friends for theraputic reasons as well as social reasons and just to increase my happiness, as I don't really have anybody who I go and hang out with around my area. Basically, I'm just working on furthering my life (getting a job/driver license) and trying to let it fall into place. Thanks for your responses.

Is that why they're called that?

I would think that it would more than likely be an error of knowledge on there part rather than a breach of morality. He doesn't seem to be advocating explicitly evil ideas, and doesn't appear to be a conscously evil person (an evading personality). He seems to be mostly about the music, even if his message is ambiguous.

I am wondering, what are the principles of friendship? Such as, how do you make friends and how do you keep the friendships you have. Emphasis on how to make friends, because that's where I'm having issues.

One techno band I like: Infected Mushroom

No, I just am trying to find the formula for joy, and then accomplishing it. (bold mine) Yeah, I remember that all the money that I used to buy the guitar with was from my own effort, which might have helped in "almost" triggering joy. Thank you. In fact, earlier today in the chatroom on here I finally *grasped* that reason is our tool of survival. I enjoyed how I finally understood it, what it meant and the new range of thought it allowed, for it was finally integrated.

fountainhead777, when you say achieving values, do you mean that if the "object of my desire" won't bring me joy if it is just given to me for some reason? musenji, do you think that will bring me joy? If so, why? Thanks for your responses

One time when I was with my friend, he had a guitar. I mentioned I liked it or something, and he ended up selling it to me very cheap. In that moment, based on my evaluation of I just got something I really liked for a great price, I almost felt a feeling of joy. Well, the short story is, I want to feel that feeling that I might have felt on that day. My question: How exactly do I trigger the strong chemical feeling of joy (I say chemical because feeling joy [at least in that instance] would feel like a chemical hitting my nervous system or something). Even if its not a chemical, imagine a tital wave of positive feeling hitting your body. That's what it would be like.

How does Arrogance = altruism? Arrogance is an attitude of superiority basically, and altruism is giving value to other people even at the expense of yourself. Not sure how you can interchange the two.