Posts Tagged Ayn Rand

Book Review: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Sep 18

Posted by Billy in Book Reviews | No Comments

I read this book a few years after reading Rand’s magnum opus, “Atlas Shrugged”. I would say this book falls in line with the later work and was fabulous. I am a fan of Ayn Rand’s writing and this was no different. The key argument in the book was collectivism vs individualism and she worked it out well. As with other writings, it had the Rand tinge of atheism in spots but with proper context, even those arguments were well structured and accurate.

I am a strong proponent of the human spirit, man’s ability to progress, succeed, innovate, and to do it interdependently, that is, free individual will offered to each in exchange for the creativity of others. Humanity is great if allowed to think for one’s self. This book lines this argument nicely and gives 4 example types of people in the world. The typical follower with no will of his own, the person who desires power over others by destroying individualism, the person who could have been great but squanders ability in trade for apparent “power” only to find himself/herself enslaved by the desires of the “masses”, and the one who is the ideal- who understands his/her individual ability and desires nothing from others but for each to explore their own ability to create.

If your political and socio-economic ideals are completely out of sync with objectivism, as with all of Rand’s books, you won’t like this one. Otherwise, this is a great book and very entertaining as a novel.

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Tags: Ayn Rand, collectivism, individualism

Redefining “Sacrifice” for your Personal Success

Sep 14

Posted by Billy in Featured, Philosophy | No Comments

Personal success is defined by an individual in his/her own manner. Some want overwhelming financial prosperity while others look to quiet family comforts. Some want to travel the world while others want a large home, garden, and car. Some want international business success while others simply want flexibility to work or not work. Some want spiritual achievement while others define spirituality very differently. To nearly all, it is preached that one must sacrifice in order to achieve what one wants most in life. Is this true? I would say yes but what you must understand the nature of sacrifice and then decide, is it really a sacrifice at all? This line of thinking is a key component of a philosophical framework called “Objectivism”, developed by Ayn Rand. With such titles as “The Virtue of Selfishness”, you can imagine the controversy. Most religious people, me being a Christian, would claim this to be false and pose arguments to the contrary, the selfishness is wrong and sacrifice is the key. When you strip away the semantics of modern language and build the proper context to Christian sacrifice, the philosophies begin to align. I’m sure any hardcore objectivist would beg to differ, which is fine, this is simply how my understanding has developed.

In “The FountainHead”, Ayn Rand makes a statement that I find valuable in this discussion. (Emphasis added)

Is sacrifice a virtue? Can a man sacrifice his integrity? His honor? His freedom? His ideal? His convictions? The honesty of his feelings? The independence of his thought? But these are a man’s supreme possessions. Anything he gives up for them is not a sacrifice but an easy bargain. They, however, are above sacrificing to any cause or consideration whatsoever.

I have pondered this for some time and have come to the conclusion that even most Christians would agree with that statement. Sacrificing one’s integrity, convictions, etc. would be against the intent and idea of sacrifice. I love the statement that anything one gives up for these values is not a sacrifice but an easy bargain. Compare it to this obvious scenario: If I sacrifice $10 by giving it to you, knowing you will give me $20 in return, is it a sacrifice? One gives and “sacrifices” for one’s ideals in order to enhance them, to keep them, to live by them and the return is much greater than the sacrifice (assuming you value your ideals, or let’s just say your ideals are what you value most in life, whatever they are).

The key difference in definition, for many, may simply be timing. Sacrifice to some is the idea of giving up what you want today for what you want of greater value sometime in the future. This may be a form of short-term sacrifice but once the item of greater value comes, you will have sacrificed nothing as you now stand with more than you started with. The great teaching challenge of many religious credos is getting individuals to give up instant gratification for future glory and reward of much greater value. It is to “sacrifice” in the immediate future. The ideas of objectivism simply remove the issue of timing and state: Look at what you want most and do that, no matter how long it takes. Looking at both of these statements creates a foundation for successful achievement. What do you want most in life? Professionally? Personally? Now working on achieving it, no matter how long it takes, no matter what you must give up today in order to obtain it tomorrow (that is all but the ‘un-sacrifice-ables’ in your life, however they are defined).

Many Christians and religious individuals may take the idea of self-sacrifice to the extreme that Rand shares as a danger, that of sacrificing your integrity, convictions, honor and more for the “good of society”, for the good of the collective, the community. This goes beyond the scope even of properly understood Christianity. Even Jesus Christ himself would not sacrifice his integrity and conviction for the good of mankind. What “good” would that have done anyhow? It would have gone counter to his purpose and goal. That’s the peculiarity of many religions, Christianity included, and the understanding of sacrifice. It doesn’t make logical sense even within their own doctrines to sacrifice to that degree or definition. It also reveals the shortcomings of collectivism but that will be left for another discussion.

With this understanding of sacrifice and taking necessary action for success, I must say it is much easier to think about when you use Rand’s words:

Achieving personal success is simply a matter of making “easy bargains”…

Tags: Ayn Rand, collectivism, sacrifice, Success

Principles of Intellectual Integrity

Jul 27

Posted by Billy in Philosophy | No Comments

Ayn Rand outlined 2 key principles of intellectual integrity that must exist in order to participate in any open discussion of intellectual renaissance. They are as follows:

a. Emotions are not tools of cognition

b. No man has the right to initiate the use of physical force against others

Regarding these she simply states:

One principle is epistemological, the other is moral; they are not axioms, but until a man has proved them to himself and has accepted them, he is not fit for an intellectual discussion.

Being the founder of objectivism, the first is obviously with the purpose of allowing reason to guide the intellect and not emotion as has been the tendency with mysticism, ignorant tradition, and dictative religion. The second having the purpose of allowing reason to decide the discussion- not intimidation, threats, or “public policy” but freedom and free thought. Also, this carried the purpose of allowing one to choose for oneself, as an individual with individual wants and needs and not forced into the collective thought stream of society.

Tags: Ayn Rand, individualism, objectivism

Finding the Real Capitalism

Jul 24

Posted by Billy in Economics, Philosophy | No Comments

Let them…discover the nature, the theory and the actual history of capitalism; both groups are equally ignorant of it. No other subject is hidden by so many distortions, misconceptions, misrepresentations and falsifications. Let them study the historical facts and discover the all the evils popularly ascribed to capitalism were caused, necessitated and made possible only by government controls imposed on the economy. Whenever they hear capitalism being denounced, let them check the facts and discover which of the two opposite political principles- free trade or government controls- was responsible for the alleged iniquities. When they hear it said that capitalism has had its chance and has failed, let them remember that what ultimately failed was a “mixed” economy, that the controls were the cause of the failure, and that the way to save a country is not by making it swallow a full, “unmixed” glass of the poison which is killing it.

- Ayn Rand, “For the New Intellectual”, 53

What more need be said…

Tags: Ayn Rand, capitalism

Antiquated Philosophy vs “new” Business & Capitalism (Part 2)

Jul 21

Posted by Billy in Economics, Philosophy | No Comments

In continuation of yesterday’s post, what is the old-intellectual really fighting? What cause? It comes down to two basic possibilities for me. First, they seek power over others, the want and desire to be served and respected no matter the idea they generate, thus they desire control over the collective, the entire society. For this reason, they join forces in promoting socialism and its alter-egos.

The second possibility which may not be as intentionally malignant but equally destructive is they honestly think the individual is not capable of managing themselves to the greatest desired possibility and needs help. If this is true, then the individual would be incapable of helping each other as well since they can’t even manage their own affairs. Thus, a need for a “higher” being is necessary. Someone who can not only take care of themselves but is of such capacity that they can care for me, the individual, better than I could possibly care for myself. In essence, they play a “god” character in their own mind, similar to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. How else can they be so sure of their own abilities above those of each individual? And exponentially so as there are a lot of individuals!

In the newer freedom and industrial revolution, the businessman felt his own ability to manage himself was much more adequate and he/she obviously objected. Hence the banding together in their cause, seeking a new “weapon” through government controls. As Ayn Rand put it:

They demanded the right to enforce ideas at the point of a gun, that is: through the power of government, and compel the submission of others to the views and wishes of those who would gain control of the government’s machinery.

She continues with the following definition of socialism:

…socialism is the doctrine that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that his life and his work do not belong to him, but belong to society, that the only justification of his existence is his service to society, and that society may dispose of him in any way it pleases for the sake of whatever it deems to be its own tribal, collective good.

As social programs are introduced, moving the good ol’ USA further down the road of social reform, just think who you want managing your life and affairs, dictating your need for existence. It’s kind of scary, at least for those of us who are not in “control of the government’s machinery”…

Tags: Ayn Rand, freedom, government, socialism

Antiquated Philosophy vs “new” Business & Capitalism

Jul 20

Posted by Billy in Entrepreneurship/Business, Philosophy | No Comments

In “For the New Intellectual”, Ayn Rand makes a powerful case against many of the common moral philosophies of today that continually battle against “commercialism”, business, free markets, and capitalism. In an attempt to build some context, she introduces two figures that act as types for mankind up to the enlightenment and the industrial revolution. She calls one “Attila” and the other “the witch doctor.” Basically one has always been a physical conqueror through brute force while the other is a spiritual conqueror through mysticism and self-abnegation and sacrifice to the greater society, ultimately to the witch doctors themselves.

As time went on and with the emergence of freedoms that allowed for trade and societal advancement, a 3rd character joined the party in the “businessman.” Ayn Rand claims that the moral philosophy of the intellectual, the witch doctor, has not advanced as has physical society with the businessman. They have begun applying their analysis of Attila the brute to the business man.

The victim of the intellectuals’ most infamous injustice was the businessman.

Having accepted the premises, the moral values and the position of Witch Doctors, the intellectuals were unwilling to differentiate between the businessman and Attila, between the producer of wealth and the looter.

She goes on…

Evading the difference between production and looting, they called the businessman a robber. Evading the difference between freedom and compulsion, they called him a slave driver. Evading the difference between reward and terror, they called him an exploiter. Evading the difference between pay checks and guns, they called him an autocrat. Evading the difference between trade and force, they called him a tyrant. The most crucial issue they had to evade was the difference between the earned and the unearned.

In today’s society, we continue to see businessmen and capitalists labeled as “slave driver” and “greedy” among other things. This is not to say their are not greedy businessmen only that these generalized labels are misappropriated and frankly untrue! It is time to catch up, so-called intellectuals! Grow up and out of your desire for what is not yours, your entitlement, your unearned.

In my next post, I will continue with this discussion of the Witch Doctor and the ideals they cling to…

Tags: Ayn Rand, Business, freedom

Importance of Economics for Entrepreneurs

Jul 17

Posted by Billy in Economics, Entrepreneurship/Business | No Comments

Economics is the measuring stick of entrepreneurial decisions. The educated entrepreneur looks at economics as an indicator and guide to efficient and effective progress and innovation. Stated in an over-simplified manner, economic success indicates a move in the right direction while failure indicates an invalid idea, an unnecessary product or service, or poor management and development capabilities. This being the case, progress is only hindered by the continued operation of such an enterprise. Thus enters the natural beauty of competition. Those creating the best products and services at the best prices with the most effective management will ultimately survive and “beat” the less-capable competition. Should we feel bad for the defeated entrepreneur? NO! They are now free to look at areas of progression where they can excel, creating a more powerful societal expansion.

Weakness enters when we arrogantly think there are no more industries, we have developed everything, there will be no more human progress. Sadly, this thought process is all-to-common (although subconscious in many cases). The desire to sustain a failing enterprise is to admittedly mis-allocate and ultimately waste resources, human capital, intellectual capital, and financial capital. Regulation, bail-outs, subsidies and similar government action only perpetuate this circumstance.

As Ayn Rand states (referring to the businessman): “His success depends on the objective value of his work and on the rationality of those who recognize that value.” (from For the New Intellectual). This alludes to another economic principle, that of Marginal Utility, which basically refers to the value of something being set by the consumer willing to purchase it. What price will the market bare? Do people actually want your product or service? Maybe it is not the time for your product. This is another issue, products that come before their “time.” This is another important point in economics and entrepreneurship. 3oo years ago, there was no need for an automatic transmission for cars. You probably would not be selling many of them. Much of this can be summed up, again, by Ayn Rand:

Capitalism demands the best of every man–his rationality–and rewards him accordingly…

…When men are free to trade, with reason and reality as their only arbiter, when no man may use physical force to extort the consent of another, it is the best product and the best judgment that win in every field of human endeavor, and raise the standard of living–and of thought–ever higher for all those who take part in mankind’s productive activity.

So don’t look at business failure as a personal failure, only an opportunity to create in another arena, a learned lesson, simply a response to the result of the economic indicator test. As a powerful entrepreneur that is now free, We expect you to create a new product or service that we currently want but don’t have, or simply an improvement over a currently poor performing product or service; either way, we look forward to further expansion in human progress.

Tags: Ayn Rand, entrepreneurship, free markets

“…A free mind and a free market are corollaries.”

Jul 15

Posted by Billy in Economics, Philosophy | No Comments

Ayn Rand made a statement in “For the New Intellectual” that I find powerful.

Intellectual freedom cannot exist without political freedom. Political freedom cannot exist without economic freedom. A free mind and a free market are corollaries.

Hence, as economic freedom is shackled by regulatory policy, no matter the intentions of the policy makers, intellectual freedom will also be limited causing a decrease in the quality and degree of transcending ideas in human progress. We become intellectually shackled. The interesting part is that evidence of this in history is abundant, even gluttonous, yet many are naive to this reality and allow entitlement to over-power freedom with the thought that “this time, it will work better.” It often appears that they think “If we call it something else, it will work this time.”

I am currently reading various works of Ayn Rand so expect many posts commenting on them over the next while! If you haven’t read Atlas Shrugged, then the time has come and I am calling you out!

Tags: Ayn Rand, free markets, freedom

It’s about the Individual!

Jul 13

Posted by Billy in Philosophy | No Comments

On the opening page to Ayn Rand’s “Anthem” is a quote from her:

I worship individuals for their highest possibilities as individuals, and I loathe humanity, for its failure to live up to these possibilities

- Ayn Rand

I can’t help but agree! If humanity is viewed as many individuals with individual possibilities, opportunities, and talents as it should be, then humanity has grand potential. As a collective, unified, single body, it is destined to be dragged down to the lowest common denominator. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and collective society tends to think it unfair for one link to be stronger than the other, thus we must weaken the other links as that is easier than strengthening the already weak one. It is an inevitable possibility even if intentions are to strengthen as we cannot control the will of one. Thus, the goal must be to allow individuals to flourish as they choose!

Tags: Ayn Rand, collectivism, individualism