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What Books Should I Reread and Study?

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dadmonson

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I've read AS, FH, VOS, CTUI, OPAR, and ITOE each one time through. I'm wondering what books it would behoove me to read multiple times in order to get a thorough understanding of O'ism. I'm mainly interested in ethics and politics. I have an interest in metaphysics and epistemology only as to so far they'll help me understand Objectivist ethics and politics. If I want a thorough understanding of ethics and politics what books would it be in my self interest to reread and study? Do I have to read AS and FH again in order to reach my goal? I read AS last year and I read FH in 2009.

Edited by dadmonson
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dadmonson,

 It might help to understand the purpose of your studies into the realm of political philosophy. Are you seeking self-knowledge for the purpose of understanding the truth about the current state of social orders? Are you seeking to expand the awareness of others as to the theories supporting Objectivism? Are you seeking eventually a career in public office? As you've mentioned in earlier posts, you are a young man, and perhaps not in a position to speak to others from the authority of experience. It certainly would not do any harm to re-read any one of those volumes you mentioned, (I've read VOS and CUI at least twice, the other once), but you may consider reading other non-Objectivist works, such as pieces of literature Ayn Rand refers to in her writing. For example, you could read Les Mirerables, by Victor Hugo, if you are trying to understand her tastes and influences in literature, or articles to help you understand other philosophers, such as Aristotle and Plato, Kant, Spencer, and Nietzsche, or Hume and Locke. The history of Western Civilization is also vital to understanding the modes of philosophy as applied to past social orders.

 

Whether for your own personal enlightenment, or for the purpose of engaging others in conversation, broadening your understanding of a wide range of knowledge will always benefit you. If you in fact are seeking some sort of future in politics, it will not be easy to sell the ideas of Ayn Rand to a public so influenced by altruistic, mystic, socialist, and collectivist philosophies. I can only wish for a public with a greater interest in the fundamentals of philosophy and history. Without that interest, there can be no enlightenment.

 

EDIT: you may consider picking up a copy of Philosophy, Who Needs It. I recently finished it, and it would fit right in with your quest. For the New Intellectual is also a must-read.

Edited by Repairman
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Tara Smith's books would probably be a good way to chew on Objectivist Ethics.

 

Also, it makes sense to contrast Objectivism with other approaches. A good start would be "The Five Great Philosophies of Life - by William de Witt Hyde". The author is Christian, but fair.

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You needn't reread the novels for what want to accomplish, but you could take a look at the highlights excerpted in For the New Intellectual: Roark's courtroom speech, Francisco's money speech and the radio speech.  Then the anthologies: CUI and VoS.  Peikoff's Objectivism: the Philosophy of Ayn Rand does a good job of tying it all together.

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Right you are, Reidy. For the New Intellectual provides many of the most important excerpts from Ayn Rand's fiction, and it truly puts into perspective the historic necessity for a modern philosophy based on the logic of Aristotle. However, once you've read the first part, written specifically for that book, you may seek more information about some of the giants of post-Renaissance and modern philosophy mentioned in Ayn Rand's criticisms.

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