Rational Nation USA

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -v s- Tyranny Altruism is found in the field of morality  and what constitutes ethical values. Rational Nation USA has often referred to, and identified altruism as a destructive force for the individual as well as broader societal relationships. Given the number of philosophers who have written about morality  I have found few actually understand the concept of altruism. While I acknowledge my own lack of "formal higher education" with respect to the field of ethics an morality I have spent many hours in self study and self education. It is my belief that self study, freely chosen by the individual is often the most productive. This is so because the individual who devotes the time and effort to study solely because of their desire for knowledge will ultimately learn a great deal more than the student who is merely in it to complete a scholastic requirement. As my philosophic and ethical beliefs are grounded in Objecti...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Liberty -vs- Tyranny The editors of Think Progress , that useless and salacious rag of progressive collectivism have found it convenient to assail Ayn Rand and her Objectivist philosophy in their attack on Representative Paul Ryan's budget plan . In doing so they display both their ignorance of Ayn Rand's works as well as their ignorance of sound economic theory . Yes, Ayn Rand was an atheist. She believed that faith in a unknowable, and thus mystical supreme being was illogical and irrational. Not unlike millions, or perhaps tens of millions of atheists throughout history. So, what the hell does that have to do with economic theory? You likely got it right. Absolutely nothing. Yet Think Progress is using Rand's rational advocacy of capitalism, and by this I mean laissez a faire capitalism, to further the collectivist support for altruism. Which is the selfless belief that the individual...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Altruism can be defined as:  an ethical doctrine that holds that individuals have a moral obligation to help, serve, or benefit others, if necessary at the sacrifice of self interest. The altruist therefore will places their own self interests, indeed their own happiness subordinate to that of others. Ayn Rand in the following video montage explains altruism and how in its purist form it is an immoral doctrine and in her words evil. For a contemporary outlook on the irrationality of self sacrificing altruism Shane Atwell's Blog takes an in depth look at why Rand (and others) viewed altruism as evil. From Shane's article Altruism Empowers Evil: I've always loved epic stories of good versus evil. I love Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Dune--long, multi-generational conflicts. But it wasn't until I read, and re-read, Atlas Shrugged that I learned a crucial fact about evil, a fac...