Rainer Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 I'm taking this philosophy of science course and I have been talking to a theology major--in our latest conversation I explained a very basic overview of Objectivism. Funny thing is that I got the guy to agree with the existence exists pricinple--"a consciousness cannot create reality, not ever, not in a day or 6 days...." I said. His only response was a genuine interest in Objectivism. So here is the deal, I am going to lend him a nonfiction book, I didn't specify which one. I own pretty much all Objectivist nonfiction, my question is: Which would be the best, most powerful book (given what I've described of the guy)? Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, it isn't a bad book, I've read it twice, but for all the times I recommended the book it comes back to bite me in the ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurgessLau Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, it isn't a bad book, I've read it twice, but for all the times I recommended the book it comes back to bite me in the ass. What do you mean? What are examples of being "bitten"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowzer Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, it isn't a bad book... You're kidding, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 So here is the deal, I am going to lend him a nonfiction book, I didn't specify which one. I own pretty much all Objectivist nonfiction, my question is: Which would be the best, most powerful book (given what I've described of the guy)? Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, it isn't a bad book, I've read it twice, but for all the times I recommended the book it comes back to bite me in the ass. I would recommend Atlas Shrugged, The Ayn Rand Reader or For the New Intellectual. For someone with no prior knowledge of Objectivism, AS would be the most entertaining introduction. The other two are basically compilations of excerpts of Ayn Rand's work that provide a good introduction. The title essay in FNI is an excellent rebuttal to the dominant philosophies throughout human history. I empathize with your hesitance to recommend OPAR. I too have recommended this to people and they seem to lose interest quickly. It is not a good introduction to the philosophy, but it is very good at bringing everything together after someone has already had some exposure to Objectivism. If you look at the suggested reading from aynrand.org, they only recommend OPAR after reading FH, AS and 22 essays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Durande Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 You're kidding, right? Jennifer Garner isn't bad looking, either. Tiger Woods isn't a bad golfer. For that matter, I would be bold enough to say that Ayn Rand wasn't a bad thinker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainer Posted January 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 Thanks, Bryan. Bowzer, why do you say that? Did you not like OPAR? Did you think it was bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowzer Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 Bowzer, why do you say that? Did you not like OPAR? Did you think it was bad? I think OPAR is one of the greatest achievements in the history of mankind. I was being sarcastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Durande Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 Thanks, Bryan. Bowzer, why do you say that? Did you not like OPAR? Did you think it was bad? I think I am safe in saying that he was underscoring your casual reference to a great book. Usually when something is great, or even very good, one doesn't say that "it wasn't bad." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Durande Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 sorry bowzer, i didn't see your reply when i spoke on your behalf. but, for the record, I also think The Godfather wasn't a bad film. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowzer Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 That's OK because you got my joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 I'd have to say reading Atlas Shrugged first is the best way to go. If you're trying to introduce someone to Objectivism, let them check out Atlas Shrugged with you near by for discussion. I've only been able to get two people with no previous knowledge of Ayn Rand to read Atlas Shrugged. It's simply a great book, and if the reader is ignorant enough to overlook it's philosophical importance they at least won't get bored with the story. In terms of you being near by for discussion, I think a person's introduction into Objectivism is helped when they can get one on one discussions about the key points within the philosophy at first. Then once they've had a moderate introduction through discussion and the pleasure of reading Atlas Shrugged, it's easy for them to step into the nonfiction realm. I agree with Bowzer's sentiment towards OPAR, but I think a student should be eased into reading it via other Rand nonfiction works. Follow the Ayn Rand Institute's suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielshrugged Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 The suggested sequence on aynrand.org is a good one, but if you want to loan just one book I would say either Atlas Shrugged for fiction or Philosophy: Who Needs It for nonfiction. Try to get him to read both, I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen Publius Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 I started my study of Rand's works by reading The Virtue of Selfishness. I find The Ayn Rand Lexicon: Objectivism from A to Z to be a handy quick reference for checking a particular topic. I read all the non-fiction before reading any of the fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainer Posted January 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 That's OK because you got my joke. Well, I guess I use understatement naturally. But don't get the impression that I thought it was a not-so-good book. It was good. Really, really fucking good. How's that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Durande Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 Really, really fucking good. How's that? That's more like it. Although I said the same exact thing about a burrito I had the other day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainer Posted January 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 That's more like it. Although I said the same exact thing about a burrito I had the other day. You can only *really* say that if the burrito had been from Qdoba. But fine. OPAR is an beautiful, elegant work that does well to bring the full Objectivist system into perspective within a single volume--a grand & splendiferous achievement that I'm sure the (metaphorical) Gods smile upon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.