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Ayn Rand defined a right as a "moral principle defining and sanctioning a man's freedom of action in a social context" (The Virtue of

Sep 28, 2010

Malini Kochhar

3 Mins

Objectivism and Individualism

"Individualism" is a term for classifying theories, such as ethical or social theories. Any theory that places the individual foremost or

Rights are fundamental political principles. As such, they are based in morality. They summarize how human beings ought to be treated in a

Sep 28, 2010

William Thomas

2 Mins

Nature and Wilderness

What Objectivism opposes is the idea that nature has inherent value, apart from any human needs, values, or purposes. In general, Objectivis

As everyone grows up, they develop a set of values: ways they interpret and respond to the world. At the basis of their values lies what...

Sep 28, 2010

2 Mins

Philosophy Scholarship and Rand

Ayn Rand is not a revered figure in academic philosophy at this time. But there is a growing body of scholarship on her ideas by academic

Objectivism acknowledges the importance of defining one’s terms, and this is critically necessary in debating this question. So, what do we

Objectivism does not recognize "parapsychological phenomena." As far as I know, there is no reliable evidence for any of them. Some forms...

First, let me remark that you are right that Objectivism doesn't share Singer's idea of interest. We can see this by looking at the real...

Objectivism does not have a fixed position on consensual polygamy. Note that I mean this answer to apply to polyandry (a committed relations

"The needy" come in two classes: those who are unable to care for themselves, and those who are able. Objectivism holds that it is not...

Please see our Q&A " What is the Objectivist View of Law and Government ?" which describes the general Objectivist approach to politics. Thi

Objectivists hold that parents are obliged to care for and raise their children. While Objectivism does not accept any unchosen obligations

Sep 28, 2010

William Thomas

2 Mins

Tea Party Candidates and the "Crane Rule"

In the wake of the victory of Christine O’Donnell, backed by Tea Party members, over establishment Republican Mike Castle in Delaware’s

Sep 28, 2010

Edward Hudgins

6 Mins

Problems with Subjective Arguments for Statism

Subjective criteria like "I like it" of course can't be proven as you say. And that is, in fact, why they are wrong. I can't add any more..

Sep 28, 2010

William Thomas

2 Mins

What Objectivists Can Learn from Young Jim Hill

November 1999 -- Objectivists too often reduce the life and achievement of James J. Hill to a single debating point: He built a

Sep 28, 2010

8 Mins

Pre-Emptive Strikes and Iraq

Pre-emptive use of force may be proper when one is faced with a clear and present danger. This might be a credible threat from someone, or

Sep 28, 2010

William Thomas

3 Mins

Poverty and Disabilities

The Objectivist answer to poverty and other social problems is: 1) create a society in which people have clear reasons to be responsible...

There is not to my knowledge a well-established position on pornography in Objectivism . However, here is my attempt to give an Objectivist

Sep 28, 2010

William Thomas

2 Mins

Why No Big Name Prosecutions?

Larry Ribstein ponders the government’s failure to prosecute some big businessman as the ultimate scapegoat of this financial crisis, in the way that it prosecuted Michael Milken and Jeff Skilling. His conclusion: “Maybe it’s become just too obvious that we created the financial crisis. As even Oliver Stone showed in his movie, we borrowed all that money and thought the housing boom would never end. We saw the risks in the disclosure documents but ignored them, or refused even to look. We heard the doomsayers and preferred to ignore them. We elected the politicians who subsidized the housing bubble, and decided which firms should live and which should die. Maybe we have seen the face of the financial crisis. In the mirror.”

Sep 27, 2010