Aristotelian Ethics!
October 21, 2007
Ayn Rand was a devoted Aristotelian - the central idea being that there exists an objective reality that is separate from consciousness and capable of being known. Thus she called her philosophy ‘objectivism’. And she applied key tenets of Aristotelian ethics - namely, that individuals have innate nobility and that highest duty of every individual is to flourish by realizing that potential.
[Source: Alan Greenspan's book - In the age of turbulence!]
I find this concept to be interesting and reinforces the concept of capitalism even more. In fact pure capitalism.
If I am correct, for a true follower of objectivism CSR or giving back to society or collectivism would be an alien thing.
I find this interesting! I guess it would be interesting to explore more!
October 23, 2007 at 1:40 am
I wasnt aware of this… Nice post
October 23, 2007 at 1:40 am
Btw did u know Ayn Rand was an Aquarian like yours truly?
October 23, 2007 at 4:05 am
Nova - Ahem!
October 24, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Vatsa,
“Atlas shrugged” is Ayn Rand’s magnum opus. Also, I am an ardent fan of the “Sword of Truth” novel series by “Terry Goodkind”, who is a professed follower of Objectivism. Read the one called “Faith of the Fallen”… its good for understanding Ayn Rand’s philosophy.
I do not agree with ‘many’ aspects of her philosophy, mainly the ones that reject the power of faith, religion and a God, to be specific. But her depiction of the ideal society is something to the tune of “each one to his own” and that the human spirit is noble by default.
Tell you what… her philosophy is DEAD OPPOSED to the communist and socialist ideas. She considers them to be like leeches…
I guess I can go on and on. But hey, this is your blog. I will probably make note of this to be added in my own page.
October 24, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Ashwin - Cool man! I can see how much you like her philosophy! I will grab some of these books and read them. Thanks man
Also, if we understand Swami Vivekananda’s work on advitha or vedic philosophy…they take a similar tone like “God is within you and you are God” and having this as base he gives emphasis on drawing strength from within and work to the potential of the individual… rings a bell with objectivism….at least a part of it “working to the potential and self reliant”
We can talk about this sometime!
October 25, 2007 at 1:47 am
Vatsa, I don’t exactly follow Ayn Rand. Its just that the world objectivism depicts is cool.
And no, Vivekananda and Rand are poles apart. While Rand focuses on realistic human capability, the former is mostly monistic pep talk.
BTW, over the years, I have slowly come to totally reject statements like “God is within you and you are God”. In the Bhagavad Gita, it is said “vasudeva sarvam iti”. The rough import is that one situated in knowledge understands that “God is the cause of all causes”. But you know, our people always interpret in a way that makes ‘them’ more popular… “Everything is God. So me, you, this stone are all God.”
Dangerous, IMHO.
October 25, 2007 at 3:43 am
Ashwin - Interesting point! Will have to mull over this point!