Those who remember Ayn Rand from her mid-Century novels will recall that she popularized, for a short period of time, the idea that altruism was intrinsically evil, claiming it to be incompatible with human rights, freedom, and capitalism. That thinking …
Tag: Ayn Rand
Taking Care of Humankind
What Fuller said here is correct; selfishness is no longer necessary per se, though I suppose it depends on how one defines the word “necessary.” It’s certainly hard to imagine capitalism existing in its absence.
Where Do Free Speech Rights End?
I recently took a position that public universities should not accept donations from groups who admit that they are trying to influence the political philosophy taught at those schools, and that environmental groups shouldn’t accept donations from polluters. A reader responds: …
To Those Who Follow the Comments Here …
Here’s a note I wrote to a friend who had been without Internet access for a few days….. When you go back to 2GE, you’ll see a predictable line of discussion in the comments. MarcoPolo (Ayn Rand’s grandson?) is remaking …
Do Fossil Fuels Pose a Risk To Our Civilization?
Here’s a debate between Dr. Bill McKibben, arguably the world’s best-known environmentalist, debating Alex Epstein (pictured), devotee of Ayn Rand, on the value of fossil fuels in today’s world. We all appreciate that coal, oil, and natural gas played a …
Do Fossil Fuels Pose a Risk To Our Civilization? Read More »
Our Sensibilities Are Changing at an Incredible Speed
For those who think that human attitudes and glaciers move at the same pace, check out this gag set of Christmas cards from Ayn Rand. Yes, you’ll chuckle, but remember that it was only 50 years ago that many intellectuals …
Our Sensibilities Are Changing at an Incredible Speed Read More »
Tagged with: Ayn Rand
On Taking Care of Mother Earth – Another Thought
Here’s another remark for our reader who denies a duty to take care of our planet, expressing himself in this comment in my recent post: There is no “Mother Earth”, nor are we required to be “good stewards” to anyone …
On Taking Care of Mother Earth – Another Thought Read More »
On Taking Care of Mother Earth
Recently, one reader made an impassioned comment on our need to take care of our planet, and another responded: There is no “Mother Earth”, nor are we required to be “good stewards”, to anyone but our own best interests. I …
Two Videos Worth Your Time
I was helping my daughter study for her poli-sci midterm the other evening, and we came across the word “polarization.” I hope you’ll take a moment and watch the videos mentioned below which, in my opinion, are both very well …
Does Ayn Rand's Philosophy Make Sense In Our World Today?
I urge readers to join in the discussion in response to my piece on Sylvia Earle: “Humankind’s Plight at a Macro Level.” In particular, frequent commenter Cameron Atwood discusses the role that the ultra-libertarian philosophy of Ayn Rand has in our …
Does Ayn Rand's Philosophy Make Sense In Our World Today? Read More »
Tagged with: Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand, Cameron Atwood, deregulated environment, exploitation of resources, global climate change, global warming, Humankind’s Plight at a Macro Level, libertarian, Libertarianism, objectivism, private sector, robber barons, Ronald Reagan, Sylvia Earle, The Fountainhead
