Objectivism 101

Diana Mertz Hsieh

Lecture One: Philosophy

Sunday, June 30, 2002

13th Annual Summer Seminar

of

The Objectivist Center

Objectivism 101 Schedule1. Sunday Philosophy

2. Monday Reality and Reason

3. Tuesday Life and Happiness

4. Wednesday The Virtues

5. Thursday Individual Rights

6. Friday Spiritual Fuel

This Course Will… Sketch Objectivism as a system Compare Objectivism to other philosophical

perspectives Discuss the practical consequences of abstract

ideas

Disagreements, doubts, and questions are okay!

Expect to participate in discussions!

Ayn Rand the Novelist We The Living (1936) Anthem (1938) The Fountainhead (1943) Atlas Shrugged (1957) The Early Ayn Rand (1986)

Ayn Rand’s Novels Epic stories Novels of ideas The producer as the moral ideal Force of character of heroes Sacredness of individual human life Expert literary technique

Ayn Rand the Philosopher For the New Intellectual (1961) The Virtue of Selfishness (1964) Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal (1966) Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology (1967) The Romantic Manifesto (1969) The New Left/Return of the Primitive (1971) Philosophy: Who Needs It (1982) The Voice of Reason (1989)

Ayn Rand the Person Born in Russia in 1905 Studied history and philosophy Left Russia for U.S. in 1926 Married Frank O’Connor Screenwriter, novelist, philosopher Died in New York City in 1982

Essence of Objectivism“My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.”

Ayn Rand

“About the Author”

Atlas Shrugged

What is Philosophy?“Philosophy studies the fundamental nature of existence, of man, and of man's relationship to existence…. philosophy deals with those aspects of the universe which pertain to everything that exists.”

Ayn Rand

“Philosophy: Who Needs It”

Philosophy: Who Needs It

Questions of Philosophy What is the world like? How do I know that world? What is my nature? How should I act? How should people in a society interact? What is art?

Branches of Philosophy Metaphysics studies the nature of existence

– What is the world like? Epistemology studies nature of knowledge

– How do I know that world? Ethics defines a code of values to guide action

– How should I act? Politics defines the proper social system

– How should people in a society interact? Aesthetics studies the nature of art

– What is art?

Philosophy In Sum Philosophy is our most basic view of the world

and our place in it

– Metaphysics: reality– Epistemology: knowledge– Ethics: values– Politics: social system– Aesthetics: art

Philosophy as Universal The truths of philosophy apply to every person

at every time

Philosophy is not just a matter of perspective

The truths of philosophy are accessible to everyone

Philosophy as Inescapable Philosophical ideas permeate our lives, whether

we know it or not

Religion is the most common form of philosophy

Any attempt to avoid philosophy endorses certain philosophical ideas

Philosophy as Influential Individual lives Institutions Science Technology Economies Cultures History

The Uniqueness of Philosophy Philosophy applies universally to everyone

Philosophy is an inescapable part of life

Philosophy is an influential force in life

Implicit or Explicit?Implicit Philosophy: Philosophical ideas are passively absorbed from family, friends, religion, fiction, and culture

…OR…

Explicit philosophy: Philosophical ideas are consciously investigated, adopted, and integrated

Implicit Philosophy Implicit Philosophy: Philosophical ideas are

passively absorbed from family, friends, religion, fiction, and culture

Implicit philosophy is easy and automatic, but it is fraught with danger

What are the dangers of implicit philosophy?

Dangers of Implicit Philosophy Greater risk of errors and contradictions Vulnerable to manipulation by others Psychological problems Difficulty in resolving moral dilemmas

Explicit Philosophy Explicit philosophy: Philosophical ideas

consciously investigated, adopted, and integrated

Explicit philosophy is difficult work, but brings many benefits

What are the benefits of explicit philosophy?

Benefits of Explicit Philosophy Easier correction of philosophical errors Understanding what’s important in life Developing reasoning skills Clarifying moral choices Enjoying life’s emotional rewards

Eclectic or Systematic? Eclectic Philosophy: Philosophical ideas are

chosen from wide variety of philosophical traditions, regardless of inconsistencies

…OR…

Systematic Philosophy: Philosophical ideas in all branches of philosophy are interrelated and consistent

Approaches to PhilosophyImplicit Philosophy: Ideas passively absorbed

Explicit philosophy: Ideas consciously adopted

Eclectic Philosophy: Unrelated and inconsistent ideas

Systematic Philosophy: Interrelated and consistent ideas

Preview of Objectivism Metaphysics: reality Epistemology: reason Ethics: self-interest Politics: individual rights Aesthetics: spiritual fuel

Today’s Topics Ayn Rand as a novelist and philosopher The nature of philosophy The five branches of philosophy Philosophy as universal Philosophy as inescapable The influence of philosophy Implicit and explicit philosophy Eclectic and systematic philosophy