Any short perusal of the Web will quickly reveal
the blatant antagonism directed towards Ayn Rand and the philosophy she
developed, Objectivism. This is unsurprising given that the principles
and concepts Rand presented via Objectivism put a lie to many of the
most cherished delusions harbored by the collectivists and mystics and
altruists who infest societies around the world. Sadly, the derision of
Rand and Objectivism is often loudest from some self-proclaimed
libertarians who desperately seek to cling to some dark shadow of
anti-freedom desire that dwells in the deepest basement of their souls.
But there are no exceptions to the stringent intractability of reality.
It is also true that many who call themselves “Objectivists” are the
worst enemies of Objectivism. As the saying goes, with friends like
these, who needs enemies? Rand herself noted the dangers in simply
memorizing the catchphrases of Objectivism, parroting Objectivist
positions, and treating Objectivism as a religion of rules rather than
a set of philosophical principles to help guide us through life. But
there are, indeed, no shortcuts to thinking. Consistently adhering to
and practicing a long-term, life-affirming philosophy requires work,
mentally, emotionally, and physically. Too many folks — even too many
“Objectivists” — much prefer the fool’s gold of short-term indulgences
and rote repetition of what they have heard. The failings of
individuals who fly false flags say nothing, however, about the truth
(or lack thereof) of the philosophy they purport to support. Indeed,
Rand was, herself, at times a prime example of what happens when
someone fails to practice the proper principles she espouses.
While there
is something fundamentally wrong with many self-proclaimed
Objectivists, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with
Objectivism.
Though I realize billions of people do, I find it difficult to relate
to the fact that so many people are so resistant to such things as an
objective reality, a reliance on reason, an objective morality, and a
free market resting on a foundation of individual/property rights.
Those who declare in bristling hostility that these ideas and such
corollaries as voluntary interactions, freedom of association and
contract, personal responsibility, the reality of causes and effects,
happiness as a goal, contextual certainty, the possibility of
knowledge, admiration for ambition, productivity, heroes, and success,
a dedication to honesty and justice, and a desire for self-esteem are
irrelevant or dead or evil reveal far more about their own inadequacies
and fears than they do about any alleged deficiencies in Objectivism or
Ayn Rand.
To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of Objectivism's — or Ayn Rand’s intellectual — death have been greatly exaggerated.
(from
Don't Get Me Started!, 2-05-08)
