Rational Nation USA

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Libe rty -vs- Tyra nny Everywhere in today's liberal, or progressive lexicon we hear of the evils inherent in Objectivism, the philosophy of Ayn Rand. Indeed the general consensus, or so it seems to this individual, is that Ayn Rand herself was an evil person. So, perhaps some object liberal, or progressive can explain the evil in the following... Thank You...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Continuing our journey into objectivism for the purpose of gaining a better understanding of the philosophy of Ayn Rand . Taken from pp.55-72 of Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, by Leonard Peikoff .

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Now for the concluding lecture segments in Objectivism by Professor Leonard Peikoff. Professor Peikoff's lecture just scratches the surface of Objectivist philosophy. For those who took the time to listen to all 8 segments, and had their curiosity aroused I suggest visiting the ARI as well as reading Ayn Rand's many non fiction works for a greater understanding of Objectivism. There are books written by other advocates of Objectivist thought and ethics that help in understanding the philosophy as well.

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Continuing our journey into Objectivism following are segment 4-6 of Professor Peikoff's lecture. Continuing tomorrow.

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Ayn Rand Lexicon - Theory : Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned. The recognition of individual rights entails the banishment of physical force from human relationships: basically, rights can be violated only by means of force. In a capitalist society, no man or group may initiate the use of physical force against others. The only function of the government, in such a society, is the task of protecting man’s rights, i.e., the task of protecting him from physical force; the government acts as the agent of man’s right of self-defense, and may use force only in retaliation and only against those who initiate its use; thus the government is the means of placing the retaliatory use of force under objective control. “ The Objectivist Ethics : The moral justification of capitalism does not lie in the altruist claim...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -v s- Tyranny Mankind, or humankind for the more politically inclined, is unique in the animal kingdom. Man has developed the ability to reason. Being creatures of volitional consciousness man can think. Or, choose not to think. Either is an act of free will. Free will as defined in The Ayn Rand Lexicon ... "That which you call your soul or spirit is your consciousness, and that which you call "free will" is your minds freedom to think or not, the only will you have, your only freedom, the choice that controls all the choices you make and determines your life and your character." There are some who believe that a individual is merely the product of the total of their experiences. That a person's "free will" has little, if anything to do with how ones life turns out. For them life is determined by external forces that are largely responsible for shaping and determining a individuals choices and there...

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 III Rational Nation USA Ayn Rand surely possessed a truly beautiful mind. A women who had laser sharp reason, a consistent and moral philosophy, and one whose life was grounded in objective logic. One has too ask where are such minds today. Perhaps Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, and so many other of her works have survived and are seeing a resurgence  because her intelligence and wisdom can not be suppressed. Either by the extreme right or the extreme left. Nor can the values and logic of her philosophy be defeated by the mystics of faith or the mystics of muscle. Here are two of my favorite videos of  Ayn Rand. It seems fitting to run them after the cesspool that erupted from Rosie O'Donnell's mouth. If you enjoyed these video's, and would like to learn more of the philosophy of Ayn Rand click here .  There is so much knowledge to be gained in a full study ...