Objective Ethics Question

Posted by Abaco 11 hours, 11 minutes ago to Philosophy
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In reading Atlas Shrugged I wasn't confused. I finished it with a strong concept of "reasonable self-interest". So, I'm a little shocked when I hear critics say it just promotes unabashed, damaging self-interest. There is such a thing of course. Look at Epstein. Hilary Clinton. It's why I don't covet my neighbor's wife. In the long run...it doesn't work. But, my own ethics are objective in great part due to my Christian upbringing. Does Ayn Rand, in her writings, cover this concept of self-interest resulting in destruction? I get it from the excellent crony capitalism example she describes in Atlas Shrugged. In fact, that's where I point the critics.

Was listening to the Shawn Ryan Show podcast this morning and he delves into this kind of thing, admitting that he struggles with his faith. Very interesting podcast...he has very intelligent guests.


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  • Posted by $ kddr22 6 hours, 15 minutes ago
    Man—every man—is an end in himself, not a means to the ends of others; he must live for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself; he must work for his rational self-interest, with the achievement of his own happiness as the highest moral purpose of his life. Ayn Rand
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  • Posted by $ kddr22 6 hours, 17 minutes ago
    "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." Thomas Jefferson
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