FA+
Shop
Objectivism? More like LOLjectivism!
16 years ago
General
Gotta love internet drama - so lets put another cubfur on the barbie, its time to roast in some epic bread and beat everybodies favorites dead horse: Objectivism - and why it is a ludicrious and hopelessly unrealistic way working a society.
now, core essence of objectivism is simple:
1) Be as greedy, uncompromisingly self-centered, and powerful as possible, and you'll improve society.
- dont ask me how, but apparently thats how its supposed to work?
2) The free market is utterly infallible, and the government shouldn't have taxes on anything.
- and the current world economic crisis is such a good example of the utterly infallible free market... see those banks handling our money so nicely? perfect...
now, the above is of course a gross oversimplification... but imo its not that far off
Objectivism is the idea that reality is independent of consciousness, as in, no matter what you think about it. Many philosophies also believe this, but Objectivism makes this its core premise.
What the problem is that Rand, Ayn Rand - inventor of this load of bull, used this basic fact to rationalize being an overgrown child. She believed that not only should one pursue his own happiness, but he is morally obligated to consider his "rational self-interest" above all else, including your neighbor's, friend's, or even family's interest, much less for society at large.
so... Objectivism is being focused entirely on oneself to the exclusion of others. Your own pleasure and happiness, not that of anyone else's.
Therefore... Objectivism is... masturbation. Pleasuring yourself and wondering why you're not happy yet.
now, to follow up the implications of this, that the government is to do NOTHING to stop you doing anything, including spending your money... you get...
that taxes are immoral and bad.
Why? because its taking your money (theft) and giving it to things you dont necesarily benefit from (socialized public services are therefor also bad)
now, i like living in a country where the government usually tries to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people - hell, we even have socialized healthcare and hospitals and whatnot. Sure, there are waiting-lists, but doctors cant be everywhere. Equally we got free education: I'm currently in the process of getting a nice university degree... for free - i dont have to pay the college money, it gets that via taxes (which i pay gladly, making me a criminal in objectivist eyes, by supporting said theft)
so... no socialized services... at all... not even things like police or firefighters, or say the judicial system?
everything, if anything, should be pay-as-you-go. now, if my checkbook is in the burning house down the street... i cant pay the firefighters. Equally if it was stolen, i cant really pay the cops to go look for it...
or how about this: a judge, on the pay-as-you-go thing, might argue that the looser of a legal bought should pay the court's costs... including the judge's sallary. so if the lawsuit is between a rich guy and a flat broke junkie... even if the junkie has confessed and was caught bloody red handed? it would put some very nasty thoughts into the head of a judge who can see that a fair and just sentence would mean him not getting paid.
this is but one example of why objectivism would be very difficult, if not impossible, to work with in real life.
now, while i'm sure this might rouse some nerdrage from people who worship ayn rand and her crazy ideas, then consider the courtroom example. how would the objectivist solve this? Objectivism retains the notion of private property, i've also spoken to objectivists who maintain that police should still enforce such laws... but who to pay the police again? A monthly subscription? And what if the cops decide to up the price? or accept a greater fee from the thieves?
"hey, we're gonna steal several millions from this guy... if you dont come after us we'll give you a cut of the action... and the guy will be too poor to match our fee"
"sold, to the highest bidder"
objectivism... friends dont let friends drink the koolaid
now, core essence of objectivism is simple:
1) Be as greedy, uncompromisingly self-centered, and powerful as possible, and you'll improve society.
- dont ask me how, but apparently thats how its supposed to work?
2) The free market is utterly infallible, and the government shouldn't have taxes on anything.
- and the current world economic crisis is such a good example of the utterly infallible free market... see those banks handling our money so nicely? perfect...
now, the above is of course a gross oversimplification... but imo its not that far off
Objectivism is the idea that reality is independent of consciousness, as in, no matter what you think about it. Many philosophies also believe this, but Objectivism makes this its core premise.
What the problem is that Rand, Ayn Rand - inventor of this load of bull, used this basic fact to rationalize being an overgrown child. She believed that not only should one pursue his own happiness, but he is morally obligated to consider his "rational self-interest" above all else, including your neighbor's, friend's, or even family's interest, much less for society at large.
so... Objectivism is being focused entirely on oneself to the exclusion of others. Your own pleasure and happiness, not that of anyone else's.
Therefore... Objectivism is... masturbation. Pleasuring yourself and wondering why you're not happy yet.
now, to follow up the implications of this, that the government is to do NOTHING to stop you doing anything, including spending your money... you get...
that taxes are immoral and bad.
Why? because its taking your money (theft) and giving it to things you dont necesarily benefit from (socialized public services are therefor also bad)
now, i like living in a country where the government usually tries to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people - hell, we even have socialized healthcare and hospitals and whatnot. Sure, there are waiting-lists, but doctors cant be everywhere. Equally we got free education: I'm currently in the process of getting a nice university degree... for free - i dont have to pay the college money, it gets that via taxes (which i pay gladly, making me a criminal in objectivist eyes, by supporting said theft)
so... no socialized services... at all... not even things like police or firefighters, or say the judicial system?
everything, if anything, should be pay-as-you-go. now, if my checkbook is in the burning house down the street... i cant pay the firefighters. Equally if it was stolen, i cant really pay the cops to go look for it...
or how about this: a judge, on the pay-as-you-go thing, might argue that the looser of a legal bought should pay the court's costs... including the judge's sallary. so if the lawsuit is between a rich guy and a flat broke junkie... even if the junkie has confessed and was caught bloody red handed? it would put some very nasty thoughts into the head of a judge who can see that a fair and just sentence would mean him not getting paid.
this is but one example of why objectivism would be very difficult, if not impossible, to work with in real life.
now, while i'm sure this might rouse some nerdrage from people who worship ayn rand and her crazy ideas, then consider the courtroom example. how would the objectivist solve this? Objectivism retains the notion of private property, i've also spoken to objectivists who maintain that police should still enforce such laws... but who to pay the police again? A monthly subscription? And what if the cops decide to up the price? or accept a greater fee from the thieves?
"hey, we're gonna steal several millions from this guy... if you dont come after us we'll give you a cut of the action... and the guy will be too poor to match our fee"
"sold, to the highest bidder"
objectivism... friends dont let friends drink the koolaid
