If one aspires to become an Objectivist intellectual, what skills are likely necessary to spread their ideas? (Apart from excellent knowledge of philosophy and culture in general)
I am starting a list. If you can think of anything else, please reply.
–Oratory skills for lectures
–Effective essay and book writing ability
–The ability to debate orally
–Clear communication in general (?)
How about simply living a productive life while firmly and consistently applying the Objectivist principles one has accepted. In other words, show don’t tell.
Sorry for being vague, let me clarify my terms:
What I mean by “intellectual” is shown in “FTNI” pb. 27. The term I should have used is “The professional intellectual.” In my case, my goal is to be a bioethicist.
I agree, integrity is extremely important. I feel it would be dishonest not to have integrity to your ideas if you were a professional intellectual, so I excluded that item from my list thinking it wasn’t necessary to point out.
–Oratory skills for lectures
–Effective essay and book writing ability
–The ability to debate orally
–Clear communication in general (?)
Those are all forms of communication. So, sticking with the communication theme, I’d add (as further as sub-topics):
… the ability to recognise and succinctly refute common
… the ability to “think on his feet”, say in a TV interview
… the knowledge of the writings of popular contemporary opponents