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shoe77 · 4634 days ago · link · · parent · post: Ryan Now Rejects Ayn Rand-Will The Real Paul Ryan Please Come Forward?
Ah okay. I have in fact only read Rand's Fountainhead and found it very inspiring in many ways. I think some parts of what she talks about in the book is applicable, such as having integrity to oneself. But from what I've heard, Atlas Shrugged is more in tune with her Objectivism. I will have to read it one day. Nevertheless, the call for achieving humanity's full potential, I feel, is the central theme of Rand's Fountainhead that makes it so appealing, and thus, making it interesting to many people. Her means of achieving it, however, I guess, is not widely accepted.
One more thing to add: I do not think people should judge certain written works of her's as outlandish. Her prose is very unique and beautiful. Ad hominem attacks should not be considered when debating the reputation of one's works. That is all. Thank you.
I thought Fountainhead was a much better book.
I agree that Rand makes a convincing case that an individual is best and happiest when realized. I don't find much fault in that. But she does suggest a very particular brand of self-realization, which isn't easy to put to practice in a consistent manner. There are also the economic philosophies of the books, (and in many ways her social philosophy is an economic one), and there are some solid critiques there too. But, I agree; if it's worth strongly disagreeing, it's worth explaining why. Rand offered something unique (in addition to some good reading), and she deserves credit for that.