Objectivism.

ClockworkUniverse

I lean vaguely in their direction, but am not one. I know some pretty reasonable ones, though.

MillerCross

Oh. Gotcha.

Malkavian

I get what you're saying INUH, but it's kind of hard to separate a philosophy (especially one so young) from it's creator.

Also, most of the 'modifications' I've seen tend to make it worse, either by being more metaphysically inconsistent or more morally abhorrent.

GLORIOUSLeader

Here is why people don't like objectivism:

In the world which is real desperate people engage in the desperation activities as the will for survival steps into play. When one is the weaker person then the stronger person wins. This is life.

You are welcome.

This was in response to a person saying it is wrong to kick a four-year-old drowning girl away in pursuit of a life jacket. 

RedEyedAbyss

"I do agree with the metaphysical aspect of it, yes. Reality is objective and it isn't subjective nor changeable beyong the changes that we can do, such as moving things and all that."

Which reminds me of one of the many reasons I loathe her so much: she acts like this is totally original and that philosophers haven't already came up with this revelation centuries ago, because she is the only fucking genius in ze whole fucking subject.

Crimson

Didn't Rand initially want to call it "Existentialism" but couldn't because it was already taken?

LouieW

I agree with inkblot and Malkavian about how Ayn Rand's style and method of writing is part of the reason why many people dislike her philosophy of objectivism. I have only read The Fountainhead, however, so I am probably not qualified to comment on those criticisms.

Personally, I dislike the idea (expressed in objectivism as I understand it) that one's life should be based on acting selfishly. I believe that working together is crucial to societal stability and that it is a lot more pleasant to live in a world where people consider other people's feelings in addition to their own. I understand that this last part is a bit more subjective, but I think that helping other people and minimizing one's selfishness has many tangible and intangible benefits even though it is admittedly difficult. As a result, I cannot get behind a philosophy that does not say that altruistic acts are good.

Plus, I think it really stinks that some people suffer in this world. I find any and all philosophies that do not give people an obligation to help reduce that suffering in some way morally bankrupt. Of course, whether or not one should pass laws requiring action on such an obligation is a different issue and one I do not care to discuss at this time.

ClockworkUniverse

What far too many Rand followers (and evidently Rand herself) don't get is that self-interest pretty frequently means helping others because, as Louie said, being nice feels good.

RedEyedAbyss

^^You should have seen what John Galt said about disabled people.

Okay, since no one deserves to sit through that piece of shit, he said something to the extent of "Why should the weak let down the strong?"

Malkavian

^^What feels good depends on person-to-person and many people attracted to Rand's philosophy don't feel like being nice feels good.

Rand would also argue that the good feeling comes out of a social obligation parasites have shoved down our throats yadda yadda demonization of the poor yadda yadda.

Tnu1138

I never got much of what Objectivism was about so I just stick with classical liberalism. Which seems like it is a part of Objectivism

Malkavian

Tnu1138

What's that pic supposedc to mean Malkavian?

CaptainFargle

"Would you kindly make an Obligatory Bioshock Reference?"

There. Somebody had to do it. 

BlackHumor

No.