Many would say that Ayn Rand's philosophy is amiss and then point
to Plato for their philosophical wisdom. Not long ago, I had such a
conversation with a very well-educated fellow and think tanker type. He
condemned Ayn Rand and took out of context an event in one of her
stories that she was in favor or secret societies. Still, the thought
that Ayn Rand would applaud 'secret societies' is a misread of her
views. Remember Ayn Rand was very much against the elitists and
socialists. I don't need to defend her, I don't really care, her legacy
speaks for itself, but since you asked.
My well versed friend cited Plato's work as a more well-rounded and relevant take on how societies, governments, and civilizations should run. Now then, I don't necessarily buy into Plato much. Remember Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle came one after another, you know who was next? The culmination of their knowledge was mentored to Alexander the Great and what did he do? He took the knowledge and conquered his known world by way of war - ouch? Is that the main use of knowledge and wisdom? Humans are mostly harmless to the planet, but very dangerous, to themselves.
My friend stated that runaway capitalism was dangerous and that's generally what happens with capitalism. But I disagree because under true free market capitalism there are built in checks and balances. Yes, I do agree that we ought to beware of "unfettered capitalism" because that is not Free-Market Capitalism, rather it is a prostituted version of it - usually prostituted by the incestuous relationship between industrial capitalists and governmental power.
When it comes to objectivism and Ayn Rand, I can say this: If we are really honest with ourselves we will realize that all acts of helping others are not totally selfless. We do it because it makes us feel good, we help others because of the reciprocity rule, or because it raises our status in society or amongst our peers. Why does it make you feel good to help others? Because empathy is hard-wired in some regards and we release an award with brain chemicals when we see someone getting what they need, we feel they deserve, we empathize, put ourselves in their shoes, this is higher order thinking. So, in reality we enjoy the flow of these chemicals that make us happy inside, so we are doing it for us, as well as them. Win-Win. Nothing wrong with that, it just is. Please consider all this.
My well versed friend cited Plato's work as a more well-rounded and relevant take on how societies, governments, and civilizations should run. Now then, I don't necessarily buy into Plato much. Remember Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle came one after another, you know who was next? The culmination of their knowledge was mentored to Alexander the Great and what did he do? He took the knowledge and conquered his known world by way of war - ouch? Is that the main use of knowledge and wisdom? Humans are mostly harmless to the planet, but very dangerous, to themselves.
My friend stated that runaway capitalism was dangerous and that's generally what happens with capitalism. But I disagree because under true free market capitalism there are built in checks and balances. Yes, I do agree that we ought to beware of "unfettered capitalism" because that is not Free-Market Capitalism, rather it is a prostituted version of it - usually prostituted by the incestuous relationship between industrial capitalists and governmental power.
When it comes to objectivism and Ayn Rand, I can say this: If we are really honest with ourselves we will realize that all acts of helping others are not totally selfless. We do it because it makes us feel good, we help others because of the reciprocity rule, or because it raises our status in society or amongst our peers. Why does it make you feel good to help others? Because empathy is hard-wired in some regards and we release an award with brain chemicals when we see someone getting what they need, we feel they deserve, we empathize, put ourselves in their shoes, this is higher order thinking. So, in reality we enjoy the flow of these chemicals that make us happy inside, so we are doing it for us, as well as them. Win-Win. Nothing wrong with that, it just is. Please consider all this.
Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank and writes eBooks so, check out the choices for your eReader.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Informations From: Article copyright