Galt's Gulch

"Paul Ryan Would Be a Villain in Atlas Shrugged"

Posted by jmlesniewski 11 years, 8 months ago to Politics
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Would he? Is it fair to compare real people to characters in a work of romantic fiction?
SOURCE URL: http://bungalowbillscw.blogspot.com/2012/09/paul-ryan-would-be-villain-in-atlas.html

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  • Posted by DaveM49 11 years, 8 months ago
    I think it's more than fair since Rand intended her characters to be archetypes. While Paul Ryan spouts a lot of Libertarian/Objectivist jargon, he wants continued (even increased) government control over many facets of society, including control over peoples' sex lives. He wants to impose his personal values on others. That is not the proper role of government, but was certainly a priority of the "looters' government" in Atlas Shrugged.
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  • Posted by Nietzsche 11 years, 8 months ago
    A question: Does Objectivism preclude charity or service to others or does it just reject manadating the same?
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    • Posted by $ jmlesniewski 11 years, 8 months ago
      Ayn Rand said the following about charity:

      "My views on charity are very simple. I do not consider it a major virtue and, above all, I do not consider it a moral duty. There is nothing wrong in helping other people, if and when they are worthy of the help and you can afford to help them. I regard charity as a marginal issue. What I am fighting is the idea that charity is a moral duty and a primary virtue."

      I would add the following:

      Charity is an application of philosophy. I personally think, if you are able, it is rational to reward good. Here is what I consider to be a perfect example of rational charity: http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-engla...
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