Philosophy: Who Needs It [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is my favourite of all of her fiction and non-fiction work.
I discovered Rand's work at age 23 at the end of a five-year social work degree. I was anti-free trade, anti privatization, anti-free trade and pro-tribalist, as well as a drug user. I had low self-esteem and had fully and unquestioningly accepted the notion that the most moral and ethical way to live one's life was to live for other people. I had chosen to enter social work instead of pursue my own dreams, because I thought I would be a better person. I was wholly concerned with what other people thought of me.
I cannot begin to describe how accurately Rand's writing described a need for philosophy in my life. The postmodernism presented to me in university was what led me to Rand, because although I could be convinced of socialism through guilt-inducing tactics, the non-existence of objective reality was too much for me to swallow. Her writing caused my mind to re-awaken, and to name all of that unnecessary deep down guilt I held. I am not on the path of following my own dreams.
Many commenters take pleasure in pointing out specific mistakes or inaccuracies in Rand's work. The main message of her work is : Believe in yourself, follow your dreams, say "I" confidently, and don't feel guilty unless you've actually and personally done something wrong. I highly recommend this book for anyone feeling self-doubt, a lack of self-esteem, or confusion on how to acheive personal happiness.

History is vindicating Ayn Rand's warnings, which explains the current popularity of her novel Atlas Shrugged. In this collection of essays, all but one from the 1970s, she explains how philosophy shapes the mind and character of the individual and of nations. Discussing the forms that abstract theory take in daily life, Rand identifies the consequences that flow from ideas by evaluating the hidden premises at work in the life of the mind. The theoretical first part is backed up in the rest of the book by concrete examples of how concepts operate in a culture's subconscious, directing the course of history.

The two introductory essays emphasize the importance of philosophy. They are followed by those dealing with the Law of Identity, the primacy of existence and various analyses of the anti-conceptual mentality. Metaphysics (the study of existence) and epistemology (the means of cognition) are the theoretical foundations of philosophy, whilst ethics (morality) is its `technology' which influences character, determines actions and establishes the values that guide one's choices. Reason is a process whereby perceptual data are integrated into concepts. Recognizing the primacy of reason and applying it consistently is the primary means of survival. She shows how to distinguish truth from falsehood, i.e. intellectual achievement versus intellectual deception.

All evil philosophies are systematic rationalizations of vice characterized by hatred of reality, as Rand convincingly argues in the critical essays on Kant and his heirs like Hegel, John Rawls and BF Skinner. These include Pragmatism which rejects principle and future, Linguistic Analysis (deconstruction) which is not an integrated philosophy and Existentialism that proclaims the supremacy of emotion in a chaotic anti-world. All of these false philosophies, including Logical Positivism, are collectivist propagations of human sacrifice. All of them reject judgment, choice and reason, elevate emotions and accept determinism. The anti-conceptual mentality is tribal although there are anti-conceptualists that are predatory lone wolves intent on manipulating any type of group. Beware of catch-phrases like 'keeping an open mind' that legitimizes the irrational. Cultivate an 'active mind' instead - one that critically examines ideas.

Faith & Force, written in 1960, diagnoses the neurotic anxiety of western culture. This early essay is a lucid analysis of the postmodern mindset and a blistering attack on the worship of self-sacrifice which Rand calls altruism. She calls faith and force the enemies of freedom and reason and the enemies of modernity since they promote the notion of the human being as a sacrificial animal. It's true that religion can be evil but in this regard Rand is a bit biased in my opinion (or perhaps it's a problem of definition) as faith can also be beneficial to individuals and communities and has inspired sublime art and music. The chapters on the Establishment and Censorship demonstrate how statists undermine our cultural life. These two essays investigate the reasons for and results of conformity and timidity, agenda-driven cliques and parasitical groups that leech on taxpayers' money via government grants.

The antidote is discussed in the chapters Fairness Doctrine for Education and What Can One Do? that provide practical advice on how to counteract the destructive forces that undermine our civilization. Rand points out that the battle is primarily intellectual, that politics is merely the last consequence. Her advice for the defenders of freedom is to embrace intellectual honesty, constantly expand their knowledge and stand up for truth under the appropriate circumstances. Remaining silent in the face of lies is lethal; there are times when one has to speak out.

The final chapter discusses the American sense of life as a beacon of hope. The future may to a large extent be predicted by the present course of action, conscious convictions plus the sense of life of nations & individuals. In Europe the prevailing attitude is that man belongs to the state whilst in the USA the primacy of the individual has always been the popular view. Envy and admiration result from these opposing views. The author presciently recognized the 'progressive' coalition of academics and entertainers all those years ago, an unholy alliance echoing the European view that has become more influential in recent years. Rand's advice is to oppose toxic trends by steadfastly promoting the supremacy of reason.

For further information, I highly recommend Explaining Postmodernism by Stephen Hicks, Menace in Europe by Claire Berlinski, Our Culture: What's Left Of It by Theodore Dalrymple, Lives Of The Mind by Roger Kimball, The Unlearned Lessons of the Twentieth Century by Chantal Delsol, Discovery of Freedom by Rose Wilder Lane, The Dragons of Expectation by Robert Conquest and Science, Faith & Society by Michael Polanyi.

As history unfolds Ayn Rand's views are proving to be prophetic, which explains the current popularity of her great novel Atlas Shrugged. In this collection of essays, all but one from the 1970s, she deals with philosophy as the basic force that shapes the mind and character of the individual and of nations. Explaining the forms that abstract theory take in daily life, Rand discusses the profound consequences that flow from ideas by identifying and evaluating the hidden premises at work in the life of the mind. The ideal is to attain a conscious rational philosophy. The theoretical first part is backed up by concrete examples of how concepts operate in the subconscious of a culture and direct the course of history.

The two introductory essays focus on the importance of philosophy. They are followed by those dealing with the Law of Identity, the primacy of existence and various dissections of the anti-conceptual mentality. Metaphysics (the study of existence) and epistemology (the means of cognition) are the theoretical foundations of philosophy, whilst ethics (morality) is its `technology' which influences character, determines actions and establishes the values that guide one's choices. She shows how to distinguish truth from falsehood, i.e. intellectual achievement versus criminality. Reason is a process whereby perceptual data are integrated into concepts. Recognizing the primacy of reason and applying it consistently are the primary means of survival.

All evil philosophies are systematic rationalizations of vice characterized by hatred of reality, as Rand convincingly argues in the critical essays on Kant and his heirs like Hegel, John Rawls and BF Skinner. These include Pragmatism which rejects principle and future, Linguistic Analysis (deconstruction) which is not an integrated philosophy and Existentialism that proclaims the supremacy of emotion in a chaotic anti-world. All of these false philosophies, including Logical Positivism, are collectivist propagations of human sacrifice. All fear judgment, choice and reason, elevate emotions and believe in determinism. The anti-conceptual mentality is tribal although there are anti-conceptualists that are predatory lone wolves intent on manipulating any type of group. Beware of catch-phrases like `keeping an open mind' that lends legitimacy to the irrational. Cultivate an `active mind' instead - one that critically examines ideas.

Faith & Force, written in 1960, diagnoses the neurotic anxiety of western culture. This early essay is a lucid analysis of the postmodern mindset and a blistering attack on the worship of altruism or self-sacrifice. She calls faith and force the enemies of freedom and reason and the destroyers of the modern world that promote the notion of the human being as a sacrificial animal. Religion may be very evil but in this regard Rand is a bit biased in my opinion (or perhaps it's a problem of definition) as faith can also be beneficial to individuals and communities and has inspired sublime art and music. The chapters on the Establishment and Censorship demonstrate how statists undermine our cultural life. They study the reasons and results of conformity and timidity, agenda-driven cliques and parasitical groups that leech on taxpayers' money via government grants.

The antidote is discussed in the chapters Fairness Doctrine for Education and What Can One Do? that provide practical advice on how to counteract the destructive forces that undermine our civilization. Rand points out that the battle is primarily intellectual, that politics is merely the last consequence. Her advice for the defenders of freedom is to embrace intellectual honesty, constantly expand their knowledge and stand up for truth under the appropriate circumstances. Remaining silent in the face of lies is lethal; one has to speak up at the right time, keeping the response brief and rational.

The final chapter discusses the American sense of life as a beacon of hope. The future may to a large extent be predicted by the present course of action, conscious convictions and sense of life of nations & individuals. In Europe the dominant emotional keynote is that man belongs to the state whilst in the USA the primacy of the individual has always been the popular view. From these opposing attitudes flow envy and admiration for success. The author presciently recognized the 'progressive' coalition of academics and entertainers all those years ago, an unholy alliance representing the European view that has become more influential in recent years. Rand's advice is to oppose toxic trends by steadfastly promoting the supremacy of reason.

For further information, I highly recommend Explaining Postmodernism by Stephen Hicks, Our Culture: What's Left Of It by Theodore Dalrymple, Lives Of The Mind by Roger Kimball, The Unlearned Lessons of the Twentieth Century by Chantal Delsol, The Dragons of Expectation by Robert Conquest and Science, Faith and Society by Michael Polanyi.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Sir, can you spare a dime?
It would be a bit silly to run on about this book, since all territory seems to have been covered exhaustively. 5 stars if you like her, one star if you hate her. Read more

Published on Oct 28 2003 by Daniel H. Yeary

4.0 out of 5 stars This page is a joke!
Unbiased reader: Don't take these other people seriously!

I have been studying Rand for seven years or so, and I think that this is her best book; although there are some... Read more

Published on Jan 20 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars A Non-Traditional Look At Modern Philosophy
For a totally fresh approach to philosophy, read "Philosophy Who Needs It." Ms. Rand presents a highly moral approach to philosophy while rejecting the mysticism that modern... Read more

Published on Dec 11 2002 by Art

5.0 out of 5 stars The role of philosopher as participant-observer
In the works of Rand, a predominant concept is the distinction between figure and ground. This _tendenz_ is well illustrated by the essays assembled in _Philosophy: Who Needs... Read more

Published on July 12 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Ayn Rand tells things as they are.
After reading books on philosophy, I have to put this one among the best top five ever written. It takes courage to write like Rand does, because she doesnt mince words and tells... Read more

Published on July 3 2002 by louis smith

4.0 out of 5 stars Some Good, Some Bad!
I guess in this book you can see both the good qualities of Ayn Rand as well as some of her non-desirable traits. Read more

Published on Mar 12 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Passionate about reason.
Firstly, it is extremly important not to confuse Rand's views on reason with the Kantian concept of "pure reason". Read more

Published on Jan 4 2002 by James K. Joyce, Jr.

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible book
This was the first(and last) book I bought by Ayn Rand. This book and her ideas belong in the philosophical scrap heap. Read more

Published on Dec 15 2001

1.0 out of 5 stars A good writer with a small, rodent-like mind
Ayn Rand's suggests we persue epistomological discourse to it's primaries instead of encountering epistemology as a path of least resistance, overshadowed by random emotions. Read more

Published on Nov 16 2001 by Nick Bauman

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone
Ayn Rand was born in 1905 in Russia and died in 1982 in New York City. For virtually all of her seventy-six years, she lived a life of unswerving conviction in and brilliant... Read more

Published on Oct 28 2001

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