RohinGupta

This is some very good news for a thinker like me who is outside the academic area.  Before I found this website, I was temporarily active on another general philosophy forum.  I was so shocked at the posts of university students on this other website.  It seemed like they got to the study of Hume, or Ayers, or Wittgenstein, etc. and could not get out of a hole created by an idea that was new to the student and seemed interesting on its face.  All of them seemed to be unaware of Ms. Rand beyond her fiction and were emotionally bitter or angry about the ethics they learned in that fiction.  The few who claimed to be familiar with Aristotelian metaphysics and Objectivist epistemology, couldn't see it thru their post-modern lens of logic and language having metaphysical standing instead of origin in human cognition.  Chomsky's, Neo-Kantian view of innate cognitive content - purely grammatical in Chomsky's view, not extending to Kant's categories - was a very popular idea.
 
It seemed like many people found comfort in ideas in philosophy that allowed, forgave, or created an excuse for a lack of focus or clarity in cognition.

During my time as an undergraduate philosophy major, Rand was mentioned several times. One of my ethics classes used James Rachels' The Elements of Moral Philosophy, which takes Rand seriously but presents a misrepresentation of her argument for egoism. (The professor in this class also presented mistaken interpretations of several other parts of Rand's philosophy.) Another ethics class mentioned Rand but only to assert that she was a nihilist in the sense that she did not believe in ultimate value. I also heard a student say that Ayn Rand was an example of a philosopher who was a logical positivist "if you want to call her a philosopher."
 
So, my impression is that academic philosophers know that Rand is someone they have to address at some point when speaking to undergraduates, but they don't usually make a serious study of her work.

Objectivism is doing better in academia now than it ever has, IMHO. There are a number of tenured Objectivist philosophy professors, and several more working in academia who are not tenured. (Some of the untenured ones, like Andrew Bernstein, are untenured by choice. Some, like Allan Gotthelf at UPitt, are in extended visiting scholar posts. And some, like Greg Salmieri, are simply at the start of their careers.) Tara Smith at UT Austin holds the BB&T Chair for the Study of Objectivism. Her last book, Ayn Rand's Normative Ethics was published by Cambridge University Press, one of the most prestigious academic publishers in the world. There is a Center for the Study of Capitalism at Clemson, run by Objectivist professor C. Bradley Thompson. BB&T has funded programs for study of the moral foundations of capitalism in over 50 universities. There are Objectivists working in academia in fields cognate to philosophy, like Eric Daniels in history, or Adam Mossof and Amy Peikoff in law. The Anthem Foundation for the Study of Objectivism finances fellowships for the study of Objectivism at multiple universities. And yes, there is an Ayn Rand Society in the APA.

And that's just off the top of my head!

That isn't to say that Objectivism is popular in academia. But it's possible to be an Objectivist in academia these days, and there's been an impressive growth in both people and support infrastructure over the last five to ten years. I credit John McCaskey's Anthem Foundation, mentioned above, for really getting the ball rolling.

I asked the question because, after I read the introductory pages you posted, and I got the impression that you had an abstract audience in mind... i.e. people you think may benefit. But, when one writes to that type of target, you cannot tailor your "voice". Writing for an audience that is sympathetic to Rand is different from writing for someone who has a vague idea about Rand. Even when writing to a narrow audience like those sympathetic to Rand, one has to tailor one's material to a purpose. A reader who wants to get information to bolster his arguments is different from one who wants to get something from the book to help him in his own work/life in (say) the next year or two.

Recognizing individual strengths.  
Multipliers: Put my friend Casey's computer work station in a room with three beginners, and the output of all three doubles.  His years of experience lets him quickly solve problems, and share short cuts to improve workflow.  In his highly competitive field of free lance CG artists, beginners are often swimming with sharks.  Casey is confident in his skill, and recognizes the long term context of investment in his coworkers skill set.  Everyone wants him on their team.  It pays off later when they recommend him for jobs with other companies.  The self interest is mutual.
Many companies develop productive work environments without realizing they have been influenced by Objectivist ethics.  You can cherry pick and highlight specific examples from highly successful, high profile companies who salt and pepper objective standards with random altruistic phrasing, yet in truth their policy's reflect respect for the incentives of each individual.  
Study various perspectives on competition.  Studies of Alpha leaders show that the Alpha exhibits a calm demeanor that is more effective managing others because they work effectively without the need to compete.  While insecure betas are in constant competition with each other, attempting to pull each other down.  
Its hard to respect a supervisor who doesn't' know how to do your job.
I imagine an objectivist would want to run their own business, but that is idealistic.  Maybe develop some interview questions to get insight into how each person in industry applies objectivist ethics to their particular field.  
Brian studies are providing new insights into how individual brains are more geared for certain tasks.
Improving radar for finding quality employees.  Some people are naturally more motivated to learn.  When choosing between two applicants, one may appear more qualified, but may not have the natural self starter motivation that will make the second applicant raise much more quickly through the company.  
 

Ed Younkins is another who has written on related topics.

Have you studied Edwin Locke's work?  Looks like there will be a good amount of overlap.

INTRODUCTION
Catholic Church is one of the oldest and most powerful institution. How did idea of Americanism enter into its American stream 200 years back, and what was its impact? What exactly was the idea?
Through the blog involving book review on the subject, we attempt to answer these questions. As in any study-group, we can summarize the blog, outline it, or do in depth study of some or all parts of blog. 
Complete blog can be viewed here - http://reasonversusmysticism.blogspot.in/2013/08/bkrev-shaws-american-church.html
Individuals come and go, but ideas and institutions they associate with often outlast them. Lets deep dive and understand one powerful example of these subjects.
 

Onkar's talk has run its course, and has been started anew from the beginning in the mobile university.
Drawing from Galt's speech, Onkar reiterates to whom the speech is directed, the remnant of rational minds still remaining in the world, asking them to join the strike and hasten the reclamation of a world to be reshaped by moral virtue. Onkar indicated that Galt gave his speech thus, contrasting it with the Declaration of Independence being a public declaration of the causes underscoring them as a rational appeal to the rest of the world citing:
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
By writing Atlas Shrugged, Rand likewise broadcasts Galt's speech to mankind, speaking to any mind that reads it, and reaching any mind that understands it. While not as dramatic as hijacking the radio-waves of the entire world for three hours, equally impressive is that the message is being continuously broadcast via a medium available anytime someone wants to settle down with her novel in the privacy of their own mind.
She lays out the incontrovertible demonstration of morality's foundation to and in existence, and in pondering this, consider the incontrovertible demonstrations provided by the ancient Greeks in geometry and mathematics that are universally held today. She shows morality is just, and like justice, can preserve or destroy depending on adherence to it or abandonment of it.
Onkar breaks Galt's Speech up as follows:
The introduction (as the first 19 paragraphs per For The New Intellectual)
The morality of life (paragraphs 20 through 88)
The morality of death (paragraphs 89 through 206)
Your choice is either the morality of life or the morality of death (paragraphs 207 through 296)
The course outline breaks these groupings up further by identifying the paragraphs in accordance with his outline of Galt's Speech provided for the presentation.

Based on the presentation A Study of Galt's Speech, by Onkar Ghate, the subject of an ARI e-mail in the ongoing celebration of Atlas Shrugged's sixtieth anniversary.
In the introductory talk, near the end, Onkar raises the point that originally Miss Rand had written her first draft to address Objectivism in hierarchal order. This is confirmed in writing elsewhere, as well by an Ayn Rand associate and member of the audience, Harry Binswanger.
Onkar offers the suggestion that it was reorganized to follow the theme of the book, the role of man's mind for survival.
Per the course outline, (included as a pdf in the purchase), the first 19 paragraphs are considered the introduction.
Per the novel, they oscillate between initially perceptually confirmable detail and their more abstract counterparts—from the question on everybody's mind (in the novel) at one time or another: "Who is John Galt?"—to the fact that was becoming increasingly undeniable: Where have the Hank Rearden's and the Ellis Wyatt's seemingly vanished to?
 
 

This is to understand most important decision each one of us ought to take. Material includes following blog

http://aristotleadventure.blogspot.in/2008/05/what-is-central-purpose-in-life.html

Timing of Study-Group coincides with what would have been 72nd birthday of the blog writer Burgess Laughlin. Its a tribute to someone who has impacted me deeply, and also many more people.

Like any study-group, you can summarize, outline or chew(analyze and synthesize comprehensively). As a secondary objective, related subjects may be discussed.

Looking forward to have meaningful discussion.
Study-Group starts on 4th of July, and will run for 1 week.

This is to understand most important decision each one of us ought to take. Material includes following blog

http://aristotleadventure.blogspot.in/2008/05/what-is-central-purpose-in-life.html

Timing of Study-Group coincides with what would have been 72nd birthday of the blog writer Burgess Laughlin. Its a tribute to someone who has impacted me deeply, and also many more people.

Like any study-group, you can summarize, outline or chew(analyze and synthesize comprehensively). As a secondary objective, related subjects may be discussed.

Looking forward to have meaningful discussion.
Study-Group starts on 4th of July, and will run for 1 week.

INTRODUCTION   At a time when Freedom is the most discussed subject, and yet least understood. At a time when the need for medical advances is most urgent, and yet the field is most strangled. And at a time when relationships are most fragile, there could not have been a better read. What follows is my review of No Time To Die by Kira Peikoff.   THEME   What Freedom is, and what it is not? What are the consequences of having and not having freedom? And what are the prerequisites of Freedom?   PLOT-THEME   Coercive regulations, too much government interference, sensation and propaganda driven mainstream media. How these cultural products slow down and stop progress in medical science? Alternatively, system where researchers, patients, venture capitalists, and their facilitators voluntarily trade. How such system leads to astonishing progress in medical science? Further, it also shows how reason can be used to overcome misunderstanding, or reach certainty in human relationships if people have an overall positive view of themselves and of other men.   CHARACTERS   1. Galileo : Very efficient in managing network that works in medical innovations. Network's recruitments and secrecy are pursued very skilfully by him. He is also very understanding and caring of people he values, and acts to help them whenever he thinks its required. He has a troubled past where he has lost his loved ones, and as a result he is conflicted and cautious in his present relationships, especially Romantic. Purposeful action to achieve his long term, medium term, and short term goals being the defining feature of his character.   2. Natalie : Hard working, exceptionally intelligent, and very dedicated to her professional course. Very caring of her son, and of people like Zoe, Galileo, Helen, and others she gets to know and appreciate. Empathy also reflected towards small associations like her professional colleagues, and people she occasionally interacts with. Defining characteristic being her courage to take risks after thinking about pros and cons in relation to her values, that is her work and her son.   3. Les Mahler : A bureaucrat convinced that genetic science will destroy the world, if not controlled by government. This idea leading him to vigorously pursue the network and its leader, and also contemplate killing an innocent child because of her genes. Willing to bend rules when official processes don't yield desired results, and use coercive threats and occasional bribery to get the work done by illegal means. As we later come to see, he has destructive agenda of his own, and will go to any lengths to destroy the things he does not like. At a deeper level we see that he is unwilling to take responsibility for his failures, and rationalizes his failed actions to blame someone else, mostly research scientists. And at deepest level, the hatred and paranoia comes from his inability to get over the bad childhood memories, bullies in particular. Defining feature being his agenda to control scientific research in general, and Galileo's network in particular. Rationalization coming from the belief that he is saving earth's resources from overpopulation, virus called man etc.   4. Zoe : A girl affected by extremely rare genetic mutation, that makes her the target of medical science and political community. A passionate valuer when it comes to caring for her maternal grandfather, or for her own condition. Willing to go to any extent to fix the wrongs they are in. Develops inferiority complex because of the condition her body is in. Is naive in her initial understanding, but willing to learn about her condition in depth, about adolescence in general, genetic science, and the politics and ethics surrounding it. Defining characteristic being her free spirit. Upholding independence of thought, values, and acting even in the face of extreme peril.   5. Granpa – Zoe's maternal grandfather : A very caring person when it comes to handling Zoe emotionally, her actions, and her relationship with parents. Has had very successful careers as athlete and physician. Has read good collection, and applies those learnings along with his experience to help Zoe. His understanding of Zoe's condition, and his willingness to help her in pursuit he thinks is right, being the defining characteristic.   6. Stephen Kincaid – Zoe's father : He comes out as very dominating figure, pushing his own flawed agenda onto his daughter. When things go out of control, and he later loses her, looks like he has realized his mistake.   7. Zoe's mother : She comes out as very noncommittal person, who does not seem to have any deep values. So ends up supporting whatever her husband says, and reacts with shallow emotions when things go wrong.   8. Theo : Son of Natalie whom she loves immensely. Very mature in handling relationships, whether its false news report related to Natalie, or handling tough situations while escaping to Network, or handling Zoe when she develops inner conflict within the campus. He has passion for computers and technology in general.  His deep understanding of relationships, and about growing up in general being the defining characteristic.   9. Julian : Physically weak but quite clever. Tactfully handles when questioned by Les and others about his links to the network.   PLOT     The tight plot full of twists and turns is the strongest aspect of the novel. Galileo and Zoe most times, and Natalie and Les sometimes being the movers of the plot. While the actions of Galileo move in the background, the actions of Zoe and Natalie are most visible in the initial part of the novel. Zoe motivated by the desire to discover and improve her condition, and to contribute to research that can help medical condition of Granpa. Natalie's passion to develop anti-aging techniques so that she can push ahead medical science, and also raising her son well, being the motivations that drive her and the plot. Like John Galt in Atlas Shrugged, Galileo comes into forefront of plot movement as the story progresses. Whether its deft handling of escape to the Network compound, arranging resources for driving research in the network, collecting and applying timely intelligence to secure secrecy of Network, or clarifying Zoe's insecurities. In each of the key moments he emerges as the man of clear thinking, quick and accurate decision making. A man of action, actions that are thought through. While Galileo most times is the prime mover, villain Les Mahler is also the mover. Whether its probing the moles of the Network in Columbia University, trying to track Natalie and kids when they escape, or later investigating the location of Network compound. Being a villain while he is dominantly irrational and brutal, there are elements of cleverness that drive the plot, particularly his blackmailing and occasional incentivizing of a hacker on parole.   STYLE   Content of the novel primarily belongs to Biotechnology in particular, and medicine in general. Explaining the technical terms and very specific processes of these lesser known fields I think is a major challenge. Use of metaphors like searching lighted weed in an ocean for finding master gene, or chromosomes and genes being like chapters and words of a book are the few examples where complex concepts are explained. Often Zoe is used as an archetype for normal reader being explained to. Also, from time to time Kira makes it a point to reveal motivations of characters for their actions. Whether its value driven actions of positive characters, or rationalization and fear driven actions of negative ones. Occasional impulses of positive characters like Zoe escaping the compound also have valid reasoning. So simplifying technical complexities, and providing motivations along with specific actions of characters forms the core of style elements in novel.   SENSIBILITIES   So far I have reviewed the major elements of this fiction work – theme, plot theme, characters, plot, and style. Going a step further I would now discuss the writer's “Sense of Life”. That is, what aspects of life and man she considers important.   Clearly there is lots of optimism for what science and technology can do, and validly so. Then there is appreciation of how reason can lead to understanding in human relationships, provided there is benevolent view of man, life and existence on both sides.   To elaborate on the finer aspects I would compare sensibilities to those in We The Living by Ayn Rand. Compared to We The Living, the hero is clearly much more stronger, almost approaching John Galt of Atlas Shrugged in his thoughts and actions. There is however a minor let down when it comes to heroine's view of Hero. Overall no doubt she revers his intelligence, his actions, and his style derived from these. But that makes conversation in “Chapter 21” even more painful. After cops leave Julian's house leave, Theo makes a really cheap joke. Sometime later Natalie lightly accuses Galileo of not laughing. Given the situation, I think the joke and remark could have been avoided. But at a deeper level, it seems that Kira Peikoff does not yet has a fully integrated view of Hero, especially the single minded persistence needed in the face of mortal danger. So in that sense, attitude of character Kira from We The Living towards Leo was much more reverential and consistent. From the theme perspective, the level of No Time to Die is political like We The Living. Impact of “Totalitarian State” on lives being the theme of latter. In No Time to Die however, the foundations of freedom in reason are explored to a much greater extent. Like the explanation of Galileo as to how Humans can adapt to progress like anti-aging technologies. In We The Living, while ethics of self-interest finds form in various actions, given the dark setup, scope for what reason means is limited. Further, the altruistic and irrational foundations of Les Mahler's coercive and violent actions is also explored in sufficient detail.   Another aspect I would like to explore is the view of evil, especially the fuel that drives it. In We The Living, Pavel Syerov is one of the main beneficiary of the Communist revolution. However, he didn't even participate in the main event that toppled the previous political establishment. It was misguided but honest people like Andrei who were the prime movers in that regard. Bottom line being, evil qua evil is impotent and requires “sanction of the good” consistently, to sustain itself. But actions of Les Mahler are fairly independent of good characters. That is, most of the times he can drive his tasks without any support from good characters. He does depend on Cylon the hacker a lot, but no way can he be classified as good. And Galileo, to move on is dependent on rational support of rational elements from the government that here is essentially evil. While John Galt also depended on actions of evil government bureaucrats and politicians in Atlas Shrugged. But he, Frisco, and others depended on irrational elements in the essentially corrupt system. Though overall Les Mahler is a lot inferior to Galileo, but in complete scheme of things, he is not irrational enough.   Finally, I would comment on the view of invention in this novel. Natalie clearly spends most of the time, efforts, and risks in building anti-aging technology. But the primary breakthrough actually comes from Nina. So in this sense Nina is actually the main inventor, and Natalie is the one who just takes the invention to its logical conclusion, and gets the final credit. But any invention, and its basic trajectory ought to be the product of single mind. Enright House is Roark's, or Rearden metal belongs to Hank Rearden, no matter how many people are employed to build the final product. Even in real life, Macintosh, iPod, or iPhone are Steve Job's babies, given the history and trajectory of Apple. Seed idea of invention, as slightly hinted in the novel text, cannot and ought not be collective. The idea has to be an individual effort, even though final product requires multiple people. Better approach should have been similar to the way Mark Zuckerberg discovers “Relationship Status” in the movie The Social Network. By getting Eureka moment when one of his friends is discussing relationships of their classmates.   To end this section on a personal footnote, one of my favorite line is the one which highlights the contemporary culture that blanks out genuinely heroic(read rational) actions. The line that emphasizes the point comes in Part 1, when twisted news of Natalie trying to exploit Zoe breaks out. It says that in perfectly sensational news stories, there are only victims and villains.   CONCLUSION   All in all, the plot of No Time to Die is rapidly moving, value driven, has suspense, and is therefore engaging. Characters are motivated, and therefore memorable. Style ties abstractions with corresponding concretes, and is therefore relatable. The theme and plot theme are contemporary and yet universal. This makes it an extremely relevant novel for a reader interested in adding spiritual fuel to his life. Looking forward to next novel in the series for more such fuel.

I intend to participate. I have a BA in philosophy and I am near the end of a BS in computer science.

No, we want them because property is created by men. And the men who create it are entitled to it.

In conclusion:
 
No matter how many times I read something, answering specific question means going back and finding the specifics to answer them.

One question asked stood out with regard to why a philosopher seldom systematically outlines their entire philosophy into one volume. Rand had often expressed interest and intent to do so, but was constantly drawn into new issues to address and write about. Although not all her works are included on the Objectivism Research CD, this observation by Burgess underscores the importance of such a tool.

CONCLUSION   Good Morning, today is Monday, 3rd August. This week we conclude the 5 weeks of structured study we were engaged in. I will reflect on this study-group, and idea of study-group in general.   This study-group, like all the prior study-groups, has sharpened my thinking, planning, execution,  collaborating, and marketing skills. The reason for improvements I think was the study process and also the content we were studying. In this fast paced world of hi-tech information feed, undivided attention is the most difficult feat to achieve. By mandating focus to particular section, I think we can improve psychological processes that require deep thought, and therefore help participants improve their thinking and execution skills. If I compare this study to the normal readings I did just after buying the book, there are many more positives in structured study. By studying Introduction in detail, I could connect content of chapter to a larger theme of "how ideas are developed and disseminated". I can better appreciate different forms of mediums like recorded lectures, fiction and non-fiction books, and news letters. Also methods like abstraction, induction, deduction, reduction are better appreciated, because now these are explicitly connected to "central purpose of Ayn Rand's life". In short, this study has helped me to develop standards that I think will enable me to direct my intellectual activism more purposefully and cause greater impact.   Coming the particulars we studied, I think these were extremely relevant. Having studied Steve Jobs through multiple mediums involving written interviews, presentation videos, interview videos, lecture videos, 2 full biographies, and so on. I think deep study of individuals who deeply impact the world is critical. Every decision they make, and consequence of correctness and falsehood of that decision is so deep, that we need to analyze every aspect of that decision. And as we cannot directly see thought, the way we see product of thought. So its from the product of thought, and from presentation of product by experts, that we infer what it takes to change the world. So insights into Ayn Rand's activities from childhood till the end, in such a short digest, I think can greatly help us improve our thinking and decision making. For e.g. , we need not feel very guilty about slipping on timelines of tasks, if we are convinced that quality of product requires extra time. I think we should be grateful that Ayn Rand didn't just finish Atlas Shrugged in 2 years, or Galt's speech in 3 months, just because that was her initial plan. In the long run, the improved quality has been much more beneficial than the saved time could have been.   Finally, the study has given me greater understanding of Burgess. I understand his suggestions, facebook posts, blogs, and studies much better now. After study I am confident that he will become much more admired now, than he was ever in his lifetime.  And lastly, despite lots of advertising, the participation in the study-groups(including prior ones in www.studygroupsforobjectivists.com/) has been quite less. I think this is the sign of times we live in, and the nature of intellectual activism as such. While its impact is great, intellectual activism, like activism of people in the book, requires varied mediums rather than persisting with one medium and over engage. So I urge participants to spread Ayn Rand's ideas and ideas of Burgess in various forums, and through different mediums we know of. I for my part have decided to take a major leap, even though I am only part-time intellectual. I will initiate the process of appying to write for a major right wing publication in India. This may give even lesser time for study-groups, but I am confident that now I can organize same or better quality study-groups more quickly. 

A DEFINITION OF REASON

Q1. What was central theme of the book on Epistemology? Whats the significance of this book?

A1. Introduction to Epistemology was about concept formation. The significance in its identification for gaining knowledge about reality by a method of total reliance on reaon.
 

Q2. Why is the central theme mentioned in (A1.) the most central issue of philosophy as a whole?

A2. Miss Rand viewed epistemology as the most central issue of philosophy.
 

Q3. What was the answer offered to the problem of universals?

A3. Ayn Rand's answer to the problem of concepts (universals) is that it is a mental integration of two or more units which are mentally isolated according to a spectific characteristic and united by a specific definition.
 

Q4. Give content and background of the 2nd edition of Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology?

A4. The content of the 2nd edition consisted of the original work with nearly 200 pages of additional pages edited off the transcription from 21 hours of private workshops held between 1969 and 1971.
 

SHIFTING GEARS

Q5. What was the scope of “The Ayn Rand Letter”?

A5. The Ayn Rand Letter presented her analysis of currently political and philosophic events using her philosophy of Objectivism to set the context.
 

Q6. Apart from “The Ayn Rand Letter”, what were her other intellectual engagements in the 70s?

A6. She spoke to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point delivering a speech entitled "Philosophy: Who Needs It?" She also engaged in her favorite form of recreation; discussing ideas among friends. She provided editorial support for Ominous Parallels and the Ayn Rand Lexicon, giving her final public appearance in New Orleans before the National Committee for Monetary Reform.
 

Q7. How were ideas of Ayn Rand disseminated immediately after her death?

A7. The Ayn Rand Institute was established after her death with a mission to disseminate her philosophy of reason.

Week 4

NON FICTION WRITINGS AND INTELLECTUAL ACTIVISM (PART 1)
(Works other than Epistemology)
 
Questions

CHANGING VEHICLES

Q1. What factors contributed to her decision to enter non-fiction?

A1. The biggest contributing factor was the conclusion that the culture was generally so philosophically corrupt that she needed to devote her time to nonfiction to elaborate and defend the philosophy she had presented.
 —pg. 234


Q2. Apart from writing books, what means Ayn Rand used to spread her ideas in the initial years of nonfiction phase?

A2. Public speaking, and informal lectures, private lectures, and workshops.
—pg. 234
 

Q3. While writing about fiction writing, how did Ayn Rand present the fundamentality of connection between conscious and sub-conscious mind, along with the relationship between abstract and concrete?

A3. Writers need to integrate their key ideas (abstractions) with sense-perceivable facts of reality (concretes), in order to avoid using "floating abstractions" for lack of the logical tie back to reality.
—pg. 235
 

Q4. Summarize / Describe content and significance of her lecture titled “Faith and Force : Destroyers of the Modern World”? Also specify connections she made between various branches of philosophy in this lecture?

A4. The crux of this delivery was delivered in her identification of reason and freedom being corollaries with their antagonist the corollaries of faith and force. Politically, the freest eras in history were the most rational, while the irrational eras are dominated by statism, dictatorships and tyranny. Ethically she advocated egoism after she indicated altruism as being at the root of many manifestations visible in the world at the time. Epistemologically, she outlined how the power of concepts were being directly attacked and/or being subverted. Metaphysically, she contrasted reason's this-worldly approach to mysticism's other-worldly approach.
 —Philosophy: Who Needs It pgs. 59-82


Q5. What lesson can “New Intellectuals” learn from latter phase of Ayn Rand's life?

A5. Captured nicely by Burgess Laughlin this epitomizes the latter phase of Miss Rand's life:

[The philosopher] has reached maturity when he spends most of this time expounding the philosophy he has finally understood rather than still studying a vast collection of the philosopher's writings and trying to discover connections (integrations) between the various principles in the various branches.
— pg. 239
 

A PHILOSOPHER'S PROVISIONAL SUMMARY

Q6. What is the content and significance of her book For the New Intellectual : The Philosophy of Ayn Rand”?

A6. The content consisted of excerpts from her novels organized philosophically hierarchically. It was the closest she came to producing a one-volume, nonfiction presentation of Objectivism.
—pg. 238
 

Q7. Who are four primary philosophers in the history of philosophy? Why didn't they integrate their philosophical product into one volume? What we can infer about philosophy from this part of “history of ideas”?

A7. Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Rand. Engaged in working out particular philosophic problems, they tended to systematize them in their own minds, while noting or implying individual connections in appropriate places in one publication or another. This partly explains why a philosophy disseminates slowly.
—pg. 239
 

Q8. How are philosophical ideas disseminated?

A8. The Ayn Rand Letter
Vol. 1, No. 11  February 28, 1972
. . . And The Response--Part II

Newspapers [radio, television, movies, internet] do not create a culture, they are its product. They are transmission belts that carry ideas from the universities to the general public.
 
 
The Ayn Rand Letter
Vol. 1, No. 24  August 28, 1972
A Preview--Part III

The intellectuals serve as guides, as trend-setters, as the transmission belts or middlemen between philosophy and the culture.
 
 
The Ayn Rand Letter
Vol. III, No. 9  January 28, 1974
Philosophical Detection
 
If laymen did no more than learn to identify the nature of such fruit [the products of a culture] and stop munching it or passing it around, they would stop being the victims and the unwary transmission belts of philosophical poison. But a minimal grasp of philosophy is required in order to do it.
 
OPENING AND CLOSING CHANNELS

Q9. Describe various communication channels of Ayn Rand in 60s? Also describe how they evolved overtime?

A9. She tried radio and television appearances, a submission to the American Society of Aesthetics, correspondence with contemporary philosophers and historians of philosophy. Most of these avenues fell by the wayside as she bypassed the largely closed academia and mainstream mass media establishing a conduit directly to the "new intellectuals", her most serious audience.
—pg. 240
 

BRANCH BOOKS

Q10. Briefly describe the books of Ayn Rand in different branches of philosophy(apart from the book on branch of epistemology, which is discussed in next section)?

A10. Three books listed by Mr. Laughlin were The Virtue of Selfishness, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, and The Romantic Manifesto. These expanded on her ethics of egoism, politics and aesthetics.
Additionally, Philosophy: Who Needs It, The Voice of Reason, and The New Left combined speeches and written submissions on topics as diverse as philosophy in general, to specific trends in education, racism as collectivism, and the space program.
—pg. 241
 

POWER AND GLORY – THE KEY IDEAS AND CRUSADING LIVES OF EIGHT DEBATERS OF REASON VS FAITH

RAND : A PHILOSOPHICAL NOVELIST DEFENDS REASON – OBJECTIVELY SPEAKING

WEEK 3

Questions

AN IDEAL MAN, A MAN OF REASON Contd...

Q1. How was The Fountainhead received and promoted?

A1. While a bestseller, The Fountainhead received fewer reviews than We The Living. In a decision to promote sales of the novel, Miss Rand agreed to have it made into a motion picture. where-after the book again rose to the bestseller lists.
—pg. 228
 

Q2. Why did she move primary attention from “Ethics” to “Metaphysics and Epistemology” in her thinking and writings?

A2. A request from the publisher for a non-fiction book on her ethical principles brought about the discovery that she needed to better develop the metaphysical and epistemological foundations.
—pgs. 228, 229
 

THE FINAL NOVEL


Questions

Q3. What was the political environment like, when writing of Atlas Shrugged got started?

A3. After World War II, statism was on the rise in the United States, while communism was spreading relentlessly in other parts of the world without any fundamental intellectual opposition.
—pg. 230
 

Q4. Describe her general view on philosophy, and her particular views on philosophy of Kant?

A4. As her favorite topic, she considered philosophy a matter of life or death in its consequences. When discussing an abstract topic such as Kant's philosophy, she became emotionally charged. When asked why, she replied: "Because when I hear a philosopher say there is no reality and your mind is totally invalid, that means all your values are nullified: you husband, your love, your work, the music you like, your freedom."
—pg. 230
 

Q5. What is a “theme” and “plot-theme”? Explain “theme” and “plot-theme” of Atlas Shrugged, working title of which was “The mind on strike”? How and why did scope evolve overtime?

A5. A novel's theme is the general abstraction in relation to which the events serve as the concretes.
—The Art of Fiction, pg. 15
 
The "plot-theme" is the means by which the author presents the theme. The plot-theme is the focus of the means of presenting the theme; for the writer, it is the most important element in creating a story. The "plot-theme" is a critical category of Miss Rand's creation.
—The Art of Fiction, pg. 17, ibid. Introduction.

The theme of Atlas Shrugged was: the relationship of the mind to reality; or more informally: the importance of reason. In The Art of Fiction, Miss Rand wrote: "The theme of Atlas Shrugged is: the crucial value of the human mind. The plot-theme is: the mind on strike."
—pg. 231, The Art of Fiction, pgs. 17, 18.

The scope of Atlas Shrugged grew as she realized that the actions of the characters in the novel needed to both philosophically integrate and artistically show essences of the branches of her philosophy even as she continued to refine her grasp of it.
—pg. 231.


Q6. What was the plot of Atlas Shrugged? Explain challenge in creating it, and role of Epistemology in fixing that challenge?

[Hint: Part of The answer will require knowledge that is not given in the text being studied. Knowledge of Atlas Shrugged storyline in this case.]

A6. The plot of Atlas Shrugged is to show how the world stops entirely. And when it has stopped, when the collective has destroyed itself—the world learns its lesson. At this point, the prime movers can come back.

Plot development to be thought out in detail: (1) every representative aspect of the prime mover who [are] martyred or stopped by society; (2) every representative aspect of the different way in which prime movers stop and go on strike—the kind of people they are and how they do it; (3) every representative aspect of the way in which the second-hander cannot function by himself and paralyzes the world. Every aspect of how and why and in what way the world has to stop without the prime movers—and does stop.
—The Journals of Ayn Rand. Pg. 395

The two primary epistemological characterizations were brought about by contrasting characters representing a focused mind against those with an evasive mind.
 

Q7. Explain concretization by explaining the role it plays in novel?

A7. Taking the two roles from the previous question, the first third of the novel details obstacles overcome culminating in the triumphs of Dagney Taggert and Henry Reardon with the completion of the John Galt Line, representing the focused mind. One example representing the evasive minds was sequence of events after Chick Morrison demanded the reserve deisel engine from the Winston station  that led to the destruction of the tunnel.
 

Q8. John Galt speech was complex to create. How can you infer this from current text?

A8. It was a 35,000 word summary of her philosphy that took two years to formulate to her liking.
—pg. 232
 

Q9. On what basis did she select the publication? Show that her apprehensions were correct?

A9. She selected a company whose management recognized that the book was a radical rejection of Judaeo-Christian culture. After publication, it was attacked by conservative and "progressive" critics for her atheism and egoism as well as the capitalism based on egoism respectively.
—pg. 233
 
Q10. Summarize Objectivism from what is given in the text?

A10. The selection by Burgess Laughlin in his book was also put forth more broadly in the Ayn Rand Lexicon:
 
JUNE 17, 1962—At a sales conference at Random House, preceding the publication of <i>Atlas Shrugged</i>, one of the book salesmen asked me whether I could present the essence of my philosophy while standing on one foot. I did, as follows:
 
1. Metaphysics: Objective Reality
 
2. Epistemology: Reason
 
3. Ethics: Self-interest
 
4. Politics: Capitalism
 
If you want this translated into simple language, it would read [reformatted]:
 
1. "Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed" or "Wishing won't make it so."
 
2. "You can't eat your cake and have it, too."
 
3. "Man is an end in himself."
 
4. "Give me liberty or give me death."
 
If you held these concepts with total consistency, as the base of your convictions, you would have a full philosophical system to guide the course of your life. But to hold them with total consistency—to understand, to define, to prove and to apply them—requires volumes of thought. Which is why philosophy cannot be discussed while standing on one foot—nor while standing on two feet on both sides of every fence. This last is the predominant philosophical position today, particularly in the field of politics.
 
In the space of a column, I can give only the briefest summary of my position, as a frame-of-reference for all my future columns. My philosophy, Objectivism, holds that:
 
1. Reality exists as an objective absolute—facts are facts, independent of man’s feelings, wishes, hopes or fears.
 
2. Reason (the faculty which identifies and integrates the material provided by man’s senses) is man’s only means of perceiving reality, his only source of knowledge, his only guide to action, and his basic means of survival.
 
3. Man—every man—is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. He must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life.
 
4. The ideal political-economic system is laissez-faire capitalism. It is a system where men deal with one another, not as victims and executioners, nor as masters and slaves, but as traders, by free, voluntary exchange to mutual benefit. It is a system where no man may obtain any values from others by resorting to physical force, and no man may initiate the use of physical force against others. The government acts only as a policeman that protects man’s rights; it uses physical force only in retaliation and only against those who initiate its use, such as criminals or foreign invaders. In a system of full capitalism, there should be (but, historically, has not yet been) a complete separation of state and economics, in the same way and for the same reasons as the separation of state and church.


 

The transcript in ITOE was selectively edited, and while the responses are indicative of one who has a command of the issues being discussed, it leaves open what material may have been omitted.
 
The interpretation you cite is easily followed from the Conclusion of The Power and The Glory — pg. 247-249
 
In the spirit of remembrance, Burgess used to attach the following note to his Facebook entrees:
 
Etiquette for My Comment Threads Most of the individuals who comment in my threads are respectful of others and focused on ideas. A few individuals are not. This set of guidelines is for them.
 
I may delete any comment that violates the rules of etiquette.
 
- I welcome support, questions, and criticism. By "criticism" I mean pointing out an error and then offering a superior alternative -- especially by linking to an essay of your own on the same subject.
 
- If I make a special request, comply with it. For example, if I say please don't comment unless you can suggest or link to your own better alternative to my point, then respect that request.
 
- Address the topic, but of course challenging particular concepts or statements within an argument is appropriate. Also welcome are further examples and elaborations of the topic. Don't hijack the thread.
 
- Deal with the issues, not personalities. If you dislike someone, ignore them or block them. Do not fight personal battles in my comment threads.
 
- Avoid foul language and other symptoms of profane culture, particularly democratic culture. I value the sacred in my life; I reject the profane.
 
http://www.aristotleadventure.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-is-profane-culture.html
 
- Do not comment if your screen name is a pseudonym. I want to know who is participating. With some exceptions, already known to me, I do not accept as FB friends anyone who hides behind a pseudonym.
 
- Avoid sarcasm. It is easily misunderstood, especially by the very people who most need straight-forward descriptions -- sincere, rational individuals who are new to the subject under discussion.
 
- Be exact. Do not say "objectivism" if you mean "Objectivism." Capitalization is important. ("Objectivism" is the proper name of a philosophy, the one Ayn Rand created; "objectivism" is the label, in traditional history of philosophy, for one tenet, the idea that a reality exists outside of consciousness.)
 

Q1. Describe Rand's career plans, and what she did to achieve those?

A1. Her general career plan was to become a screenwriter, and "graduate into literature" later. She moved to Hollywood and worked as a junior screenwriter as a researcher. Later, she would rise early in the morning to write prior to going to work. She read serious literature in English
—pg. 223, 224


Q2. Describe methods and motivations of Ayn Rand, while she was writing initial novels prior to “The Fountainhead” and “Anthem”? What role did the writings play in her achievement of “Central Purpose of Life”?

A2. She outlined and wrote "We The Living" using "Airtight" as a working title to keep focused on the subject and theme of the book. The sale of two plays "Red Pawn" and "Penthouse Legend" later re-titled "Night of January the 16th" allowed her to work on the novel full time. These writing were stepping stones to the full implementation of her central purpose of life.
—pg. 223, 224


Q3. Describe her initial success, before the point where she started writing “The Fountainhead”?

A3. The submission of "We the Living" met with opposition by a member of the American Communist Party. Passed by the other members on the editorial board, the novel received more reviews than any subsequent novel she released after. The majority of the reviews were positive, especially in Britain, about both her style and ideas.
—pg. 225


Q4. Describe theme, plot theme, and main character of “The Fountainhead”? How does the theme represent Rand's overall progression as a writer?

A4. Howard Roark was her first portrayal of an ideal man, while the theme was ethical, a defense of rational egoism, specifically the virtue of independence. This represented Miss Rand's move down the philosophical hierarchy from political level to the more fundamental level of ethics.
—pg. 225


Q5. How did study of Ethics and Politics contribute to Ayn Rand's central purpose in life, presenting ideal man that is?

A5. Ayn Rand had to define and present a rational code of ethics.
—pg. 226


Q6. How was the method of writing “The Fountainhead” different from writing “We The Living”? What preparations did she do for “The Fountainhead”?

A6. "We The Living" was written as a historical period, where "The Fountainhead" forged the characters as literary abstractions. She researched architecture as a field and took a job in an architectural firm as part of her preparation for writing the novel.
—pg. 226


Q7. What was the theme and style of Anthem?

A7. The theme of anthem was egoism. It was written with a prose-poem style.
—pg. 227


Q8. What was her purpose of writing journals?

A8. They were a place for her to think aloud about emerging philosophical and literary issues. In essence, they provided a means of editing her thoughts.
—pg. 228, italics mine.


Q9. Why did she join political campaign in 1940 presidential election, and why did she later abandon it? Which intellectual skill did she start developing here?

A9. Miss Rand joined the campaign to support Willkie against the reelection of an increasingly statist Roosevelt. She became dismayed with Willkie's unprincipled presidential campaign although she developed some public speaking skills.
—pg. 227


Q10. How Ayn Rand engaged and expanded her social network?

A10. After discouraging encounters with conservatives and businessmen, she wrote other intellectuals letters and developed a core group of young readers of "The Fountainhead" that had expressed an interest in the philosophy behind it.
—pg. 227-203

Entire article:
Pioneer known for 'Collins Method' of teaching...
By Shantell E. Jamison
   
Chicago education activist Marva Collins has died.
 
She was 78.
 
According to the school founder’s son, Collins died Wednesday night in South Carolina.
 
Collins started West Side Preparatory School in Chicago Garfield Park neighborhood in 1975. She also founded the “Collins Method,” a style of education that focused on phonics, math, reading, English and the Classics.
 
Unfortunately, West Side Prep closed its doors in 2008 due to a lack of funds.
 
Collins’ work at Westside Preparatory was turned into a movie in the 1980s. She was sought out for her expertise in the field of education by parents, fellow educators and even President Ronald Reagan — who courted her for secretary of education.
 
The school, which focused on high-risk children, garnered national attention for its soaring achievements.
 
Our condolences go out to Ms. Collins loved ones at this difficult time.
 
 
The school closed its door when she was 71. A Google search on "West Side Prep" indicates that the school's namesake still persists though many come across as tarnished from the portrayal of the 1981 movie based on her story shared in the "Africentric" School thread. Other honorable mentions on Objectivism Online include Education and Objectivism, Wanted: Tutor/Teacher - Florida (Ft Myers), and Racism or Correlations of Race with IQ/Physical Attributes.
   

I was researching Laughlin to decide how to approach his book when I came across this post, which is a brilliant application of Objectivist psychological insights to blogging.