Debate Topic: Objectivism.

[Norbert]

Objectivism as conceptualized by Ayn Rand, can be compatible with Catholicism, assuming you ignore Rand's opinion of religion and acknowledge the benefit of religion in the context of one's rational self-interest.

Discuss!

Ohhhhh boy, this is going to get ugly.   

[Benno]

Can you give the gist of Rand's arguments? I'm interested in the objective/ subjective dynamic in philosophy and theology, and would happily play uneducated devil's advocate in a debate!

[jovan66102]

Rand's phi;osophy, grandiously entitled 'Objectivism', boils down to 'F*** 'em all but six and save them for pallbearers' and is in no way compatible with any form of Christianity, let alone Catholicism.

[Benno]

Oh well, bugger it then. Any other interesting debate topics about objectivism? 

[spasiisochrani]

Rand's philosophy, grandiously entitled 'Objectivism', boils down to 'F*** 'em all but six and save them for pallbearers'

 

[epalinurus]

Rand was right, however, based on my limited reading of her (ie, Atlas Shrugged), in her view of the harm to individuals and the polity caused by big government's suppression of personal initiative and responsibilty through its expansion of a welfare state, and she was right regarding many of the arguments big government proponents use to manipulate the public.  DeToqueville said as much. 

Her attacks on religion are shallow and silly.  And applying her philosophy to personal relationships is insane.

[Norbert]

Rand was right, however, based on my limited reading of her (ie, Atlas Shrugged), in her view of the harm to individuals and the polity caused by big government's suppression of personal initiative and responsibilty through its expansion of a welfare state, and she was right regarding many of the arguments big government proponents use to manipulate the public.  DeToqueville said as much. 

Her attacks on religion are shallow and silly.  And applying her philosophy to personal relationships is insane.

Granted, no argument.  I think people need to flesh out their arguments on the whole "liking Rand means you hate mankind" thing.  Especially since Objectivism doesn't want to see people "saved for the pallbearers".  Have you read anything of hers other than Atlas, Jovan?  Have you even read Atlas?

[jovan66102]

Have you read anything of hers other than Atlas, Jovan?  Have you even read Atlas?

Yes and yes. I and many of my friends in the Youth for Goldwater and Young Americans for Freedom in the mid 60's were heavily influenced by Rand's philosophy. Of course, that was years before my conversion and my realisation that Ms Rosenbaum's ideas were profoundly anti-Christian. My flippant observation stands.

[veritatem_dilexisti]

Objectivism as conceptualized by Ayn Rand, can be compatible with Catholicism, assuming you ignore Rand's opinion of religion and acknowledge the benefit of religion in the context of one's rational self-interest.

Discuss!

Ohhhhh boy, this is going to get ugly.   

Sorry, but is that not like saying: "Marxism as conceptualised by Karl Marx can be compatible with Catholicism, assuming you ignore Marx's opinion of religion and acknowledge the benefit of religion in the context of the liberation of the proletariat"?

[Benno]

Just did a google about Ayn Rand. The title "Atlas Shrugged" is about the best she ever came up with, I reckon.