tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7060635436578918366.post4836104659668642875..comments2015-02-26T15:42:28.753-06:00Comments on Words, Ideas, and Things: On 'The Objectivist Ethics' (Pt 2)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7060635436578918366.post-72993337053099703452011-05-02T01:30:14.691-05:002011-05-02T01:30:14.691-05:00I've also found her condemnation of "altr...I've also found her condemnation of "altruism" to be confusing. It goes something like "in the name of the greater good, so many individuals (society, really) have suffered," but if we're out to praise selfishness, shouldn't she be glorifying tyrants? Aren't dictators the ultimate in selfishness?<br /><br />Her claims that Objectivism justifies capitalism also seems pretty dubious. After all, Adam Smith's argument was that rational self-interest was good for the economy not because it (seems) selfish, but because of how it ultimately serves the greater good. Indeed, the ideals of capitalism don't maximize our own self-gain. Recognizing private property and the rights of others doesn't do anything for ME. If anything, making myself a god-king with unquestionable taxation power and the ability to repossess any property seems to make me better off than following the rules of trade, at least materially. But the moment we consider other aspects of the human experience, say, the peace of mind of mutual respect of rights, and things that Rand condemns like family love become fair game.<br /><br />Great post!Esteban R.noreply@blogger.com