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Questions tagged [objectivism]

Objectivism is the formal name given to the philosophy of Ayn Rand.

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Why is Ayn Rand's Objectivism philosophy dismissed by academics?

This is a question in response to this other one that I asked. I didn't really get a satisfactory answer, mostly because it seems like Rand's work is largely ignored by academics. The highest voted answer starts with "you'll be hard-pressed to…
RationalGeek
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What's the difference between Randian philosophy and Objectivism?

I recently encountered a debate about whether Objectivism was the same as the philosophies of Ayn Rand. Wikipedia tells me they're synonyms. Is there another definition of "objectivism"? Has objectivism evolved beyond what Rand defined it as? …
user20
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What philosophers have built on Ayn Rand's Objectivism?

Ayn Rand's Objectivism philosophy has always intrigued me. And it seems to still have a lot of influence over certain politicians and thought leaders. Have any philosophers taken up the mantle where Objectivism left off and built on top of what…
RationalGeek
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Why are Objectivists against Socialism?

From what I understand, Objectivism advocates rational selfishness - to put yourself before the masses, unless you don't want to - essentially to do what you want instead of blind altruism. In the case of rich people, it would clearly make more…
dfg
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Is Ayn Rand's Objectivism practical at all?

I just read Atlas Shrugged and was wondering if the kind of moral objectivism suggested in there is even practical in real life. For example, I have an IT assignment to do for high school, and we have been assigned groups. My partners are all…
Richard Nixon
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How would you explain the is-ought dichotomy to an "Objectivist"?

I've recently met someone who identifies as an "Objectivist." I'm a moral nihilist, so naturally, I asked about the is-ought problem. His response was frustrating. He claims that Rand avoids the is-ought problem by recognizing that it is not a…
anarchocurious
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Does Quantum Physics Refute Ayn Rand's Objectivism?

Rand's Objectivisms' central tenets are that reality exists independently of consciousness, that human beings have direct contact with reality through sense perception, that one can attain objective knowledge from perception through the process of…
user15128
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Can philosophy overcome the observer paradox?

The proper study of mankind is man. How, then, can philosophers be objective? This is a question I ask myself every time I think of philosophical questions. We have no choice but to view the world and its mysteries from a human perspective, but…
Barrie England
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Can one find in the writings of Ayn Rand a definitive list of rights?

Is there to be found anywhere in the writings, lectures or interviews of Ayn Rand a precisely-formulated list of rights, with or without justifications or explanations? In other words, did she ever set forth an explicit list or suite of individual /…
Gilliatt the Crafty
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Is Rand's Objectivism consequentialist/consequentially motivated?

Background (not looking to get into the weeds on this; just clarifying my viewpoint): It seems to me that the concept of a moral force or law is not really empirically supported. That is, statements like "it is wrong to kill" are only enforceable…
hunt
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Is it fair to characterise Ayn Rands philosophy 'Objectivism' as a blending of Nietzsche's Übermensch and American individualism?

I said this to a friend once, but told her to keep it quiet as I couldn't back it up as I haven't read any of her works, nor even a solid introduction. I formed my snap judgement on the basis of a synopsis of 'Atlas Shrugged', one of her novels. Is…
Mozibur Ullah
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How do the moral components of Randian Objectivism differ from Existentialism?

On Existentialism: [Kierkegaard] proposed that each individual—not society or religion—is solely responsible for giving meaning to life and living it passionately and sincerely ("authentically"). On Randian Objectivism: My philosophy, in essence,…
Psylent
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Would Ayn Rand's Objectivism work in a society?

For some background, I'm not a serious academic or philosopher, but I have been studying Ayn Rand, her novels, and her philosophy of Objectivism in my English Literature class. A large part of Objectivism is focused around the notion of rational…
user48747
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If an amateur philosopher were to come up with a revolutionary logical philosophy, how could they get that accepted?

For ease of use lets use Ayn Rand for example. The way Ayn Rand went about gaining acceptance showed a perceived intentional disrespect of the Academic community. In this way her ideology was not adopted more because of reaction to the method in…
Chad
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What are some critical arguments against Objectivism?

I have read Ayn Rand's Fountainhead and also working through Atlas Shrugged. What are some philosophical arguments against Objectivism? NOTE: I am NOT a philosopher.
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