From: Brian D Williams (talon57@well.com)
Date: Thu May 09 2002 - 14:14:16 MDT
>From: "Terry Donaghe" <terry@Donaghe.com>
>Speaking of Robert Anton Wilson, I got really cracked up by his
>description of "Randians" as "Randroids." It's been my experience
>that Randianism - Objectivism is as dogmatic or worse than many
>religions. I've read that many who disagreed with any of Mz
>Rand's philosophies were cast out of the cult.
>I read and enjoyed "Atlas Shrugged," but when I was done with it
>I felt like it left me a little stupider (if that is possible).
>The world isn't that black and white no matter how much people try
>to paint it that way. I still think it should be on reading
>lists, so long as the list also contains some dissenting
>viewpoints.
I haven't tackled "Atlas Shrugged" yet, having just finished "The
Fountainhead" on the train in today. I was thinking of taking a
break with an autobiography of Gabriel "Coco" Chanel first.
Objectivism contains many odd premises, under Metaphysics it
contains the line "Thus Objectivism rejects any belief in the
supernatural-and any claim that individuals or groups create their
own reality."
The first part I have no particular problems with, but the second
part seems ridiculous. Man is the measure, everyone and every group
creates their own realities. If they don't think reality can be
created wait till they meet nanotechnology and the singularity.
It seems they counter their own claim when under "Human Nature"
they state: "But the exercise of reason depends on each
individual's choice".
Maybe we should start a counter-philosophy called "Subjectivism" ;)
Brian
Member:
Extropy Institute, www.extropy.org
National Rifle Association, www.nra.org, 1.800.672.3888
SBC/Ameritech Data Center Chicago, IL, Local 134 I.B.E.W
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Sat Nov 02 2002 - 09:13:56 MST