What's With Objectivism Anyway?


Ayn Rand's 'The Fountainhead' & 'Atlas Shrugged' have probably become two of the most read 'radical' books of all time. They have been idolized & hated by people alike (btw…the name of the former came out from one of Rand's statements...."man's ego is the Fountainhead of human progress".) A 1991 poll rated 'Atlas Shrugged' as the second-most influential book (after the Bible) for Americans.

Somewhat derived from Adam Smith’s ideas on man pursuing his self-interest, Rand propagated her philosophy of Objectivism as the answer to the ills of our times. She hypothesized that much like in Economics, the ‘hidden hand’ will take care of the rest. Well, only if things were this easy!!


Here is an e-mail exchange I had recently with a colleague (Mr SJM)….both of us being ardent Ayn Rand admirers at some point of time.
(irrelevant details have been *ed :) )


**************************************************************************************
From: SJM

Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:41 AM

To: Me

Subject: Atlas Shrugged

Hello,

How are you?
First of all - let me commend you for the excellent work you have been doing for *******.

Next - just happened to read an excellent article on our mutual interest: Atlas Shrugged. An interesting treatise on the diverse philosophies from an Economics prof : comparative aspects of socialism vs capitalism, Aristotelian, Randian, Marxian, and Adam Smith school of thoughts. Take your pick !

Incidentally, for quite some time a movie has been in proposition. Looks like Angelina Jolie may be Dagny Taggart. IMDB says screenplay was due for completion this Jan ..
Wonder if this is the first movie version for Atlas. BTW I had seen a Gary Cooper Fountainhead. In fact there is even a ****** version with ****** in the lead !

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070306/cm_csm/yskousen_1 (link defunct now)

Regards, SJM

___________________________________________________________________________

From: Me

Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 4:37 PM

To: SJM

Subject: RE: Atlas Shrugged


Dear SJM,

Interesting read….my views on Objectivism have gone through a natural evolutionary phase…from blind devotion (a dogmatic attitude) to a questioning one (critical attitude).

The idea of a 'self-made man'...is essentially a flawed one….and this is the basic fallacy with Ayn Rand's Objectivist philosophy.
My fav scientist of all time... Sir Isaac Newton said once "If I have been able to see further, it was only because I stood on the shoulders of giants”.
Man was designed to be a social animal, and it is from there that he derives his intellectual and spiritual fulfillment. (Speaking about spirituality…I recall an interesting quote…”Religion is for those who believe in hell, and Spirituality is for those who have been there!”- David Bowie...HA!)

Rand made the same mistake as the Collectivists did….of preaching the extreme! The path of extremism, as we have seen and are witnessing currently around the world, leads to nowhere.

So one could very well ask, is there any ‘perfect’ philosophy?
I for one believe that there is indeed one. It’s called the Game theory. And it says that “the best result comes when everyone in the group does what’s best for himself (rational self-interest) and the group as a whole (altruism?).” As Buddha would say, the middle path!


cheers
~Mav

**************************************************************************************