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Need philosophy help!

F

Fassa Albrecht

Feb 18, 2007
7,818
26
38
Tyneside, UK
#1
I'm really stuck understanding something about philosophy. I know there are a load of philosophy people on here so...

I've been reading Ayn Rand's books recently (Anthem and The Fountainhead) and I'm really stuck as to what the primary doctrines of Objectivism actually are.

Can anyone explain them simply to me?
 
#9
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Objectivism holds that reality exists independent from consciousness; that individual persons are in contact with this reality through sensory perception; that human beings can gain objective knowledge from perception through the process of concept formation; that the proper moral purpose of one's life is the pursuit of one's own happiness or "rational self-interest"; that the only social system consistent with this morality is full respect for individual rights, embodied in pure, consensual laissez-faire capitalism; and that the role of art in human life is to transform man's widest metaphysical ideas, by selective reproduction of reality, into a physical form—a work of art—that one can comprehend and respond to.
Click to expand...
 
#11
Okay, this is what I understand of it;

There exists a reality that is absolute, it doesn't matter how you feel or what you think about it. "Reason is Man's only way of perceiving reality". Man's self is his greatest interest, therefore you should peruse your own goals and happiness, you should not dedicate yourself to helping others achieve their own happiness/goals and ignore your own. "It is a system where men deal with one another, not as victims and executioners, nor as masters and slaves, but as traders, by free, voluntary exchange to mutual benefit".
 
#14
SpectorBass308 said:
Okay, this is what I understand of it;

There exists a reality that is absolute, it doesn't matter how you feel or what you think about it. "Reason is Man's only way of perceiving reality". Man's self is his greatest interest, therefore you should peruse your own goals and happiness, you should not dedicate yourself to helping others achieve their own happiness/goals and ignore your own. "It is a system where men deal with one another, not as victims and executioners, nor as masters and slaves, but as traders, by free, voluntary exchange to mutual benefit".
Click to expand...

I think I get it now...
 
#17
In other words, reality is mind independent - it exists objectively, regardless of your perception or lack of perception.

FWIW, that's about as far as I can agree with Rand, especially with regard to the political/economic stuff. I don't think we can attain objective knowledge at all. Rather, my view is that all knowledge comes from a perspective, especially for beings with limited perceptual abilities and vested interests.
 
#18
It might help to notice the difference between the words Objective and Subjective;

Objective; not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased.

Subjective; existing in the mind; belonging to the thinking subject rather than to the object of thought, as opposed to Objective.

Hope this helps
 

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