Donovan A.

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About Donovan A.

  • Birthday 05/25/1979

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    http://thecultureofreasoncenter.com/
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    Student of Objectivism. The virtues I seek to live by are: Rationality, Honesty, Independence, Integrity, Justice, Productiveness, Pride and Benevolence.
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    Texas
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    Randall
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  1. We have redesigned our website. Come take a look: http://thecultureofreasoncenter.com/
  2. Some Challenging Questions from Understanding Objectivism Test (03) Ten questions that are often answered incorrectly: 2) According to Dr. Peikoff: Rationalism is an automatized, imperfect way of coping with confusion; it does not reflect on your seriousness or on your character. [p.210] True or False? 4) A rationalist (as Dr. Peikoff uses the term) regards ideas as a means of knowing the physical world. [p.211] True or False? 7) There's really only one axiom, the law of identity, because if you deny existence you're contradicting yourself, and if you deny consciousness you're contradicting yourself, so we can literally prove existence and consciousness. Therefore, we're just down to one, and that's the law of identity. [p.224] True or False? 10) If you are going to try to know everything about any one thing, you have to know everything about everything. [p.227] True or False? 11) Fill in the blank:________________ is basically antagonism, on principle, to integration. [p.229] A) Nihilism B) Empiricism C) Mysticism D) Compartmentalization 12) In practice, in many cases, you cannot tell the rationalist from the empiricist. [p.232] True or False? 13) Selflessness is inherent to rationalism [p.237] True or False? 21) Chaos in writing indicates empiricism. [p.260] True or False? 22) Unlike the rationalists, the empiricists characteristically do not feel vulnerable in the face of disagreement. [p.261] True or False? 24) According to Dr. Peikoff a person can be rationalist in one area and Objectivist in another, for example, one could be very rationalist in writing but not in teaching. [p.263] True or False?
  3. Understanding Objectivism Tests 03-05 are now complete! Understanding Objectivism Test (03) Understanding Objectivism Test (04) Understanding Objectivism Test (05)
  4. The Culture of Reason Center (CRC) now has a Meetup group! We will be announcing study group events for 2014 soon. Your membership may encourage new participation and any support would be greatly appreciated. We are located in Dallas, TX. Lectures/courses offered in the past: The Basic Principles of Objectivism by Nathaniel Branden The Principles of Efficient Thinking by Barbara Branden 15 Selected Ayn Rand Ford Hall Lectures The Philosophy of Objectivism by Leonard Peikoff The Virtue of Selfishness Audiobook Understanding Objectivism (Part 1) by Leonard Peikoff Objectivism & The Struggle for Liberty by David Kelley Edith Packer’s The Art of Introspection Villainy: The Nature of Evil by Andrew Bernstein Reason and Emotion by Edwin A. Locke
  5. Click here to take the test! This test has been designed to assess your comprehension of Understanding Objectivism: A Guide to Learning Ayn Rand’s Philosophy (UO) Lectures by Dr. Leonard Peikoff (Book Edited by Michael S. Berliner). Questions have been formed from the book version, chapters (lectures) 1 – 4 only. Subsequent tests will cover additional chapters of the book. It is not intended to be an open book test. There are 25 questions – each is worth 4 points. This test can be taken by students before and after reading UO (as a pre and/or post-test). Only reading Ayn Rand’s fictional work will not be sufficient preparation to excel on this test. This assessment can help students of Objectivism and study-group organizers determine the ideal study materials and is not intended to evaluate one’s agreement with Objectivism. Note: All questions are formed from assertions and arguments made by the author of the book/material. When answering test questions, please keep in mind that the “correct” answer is based on those assertions. The Culture of Reason Center does not necessarily endorse the positions articulated in the subject material. Test Score Range: 0-60: Minimal understanding (Low) – Basic study needed 65-70: Moderate understanding (Low-Mid) – Basic study needed 75-80: Good understanding (Intermediate) – Basic study review needed 85-90: Competent (High-Mid) – Proceed to more technical studies 95-100: Advanced (High) - Proceed to more technical studies In order to receive your test score, you will be asked to provide your name and email address. Your test score will be emailed to you. Your name and email address will be added to our general contact mailing list. Your name and test scores will not be published. All marketing emails sent from The Culture of Reason Center include the option to unsubscribe. Like this Test? Please Make a Donation to The Culture of Reason Center Constructive feedback is welcome Email: cultureofreasoncenter@gmail.com Other CRC Tests Include: Objectivism: General Knowledge (01) Objectivism: General Knowledge (02) Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology Test (Introduction, Chapters 1-8, Summary) The Virtue of Selfishness Test 01 The Virtue of Selfishness Test 02 The Virtue of Selfishness Test 03 The Virtue of Selfishness Test 04 The Ominous Parallels Test 01 The Ominous Parallels Test 02
  6. Thanks so much for the posts, but they are still not what I'm looking for. I remember Rand specifically dealing with the topic in a Q&A. I'm guessing it might have been at the Ford Hall Forum or in Peikoff's 76 Course.
  7. Hello friends, I recently participated in a discussion on the topic of force and rights. The issue of immunization was raised at one point and I remember Ayn Rand dealing with this topic somewhere. Does anyone know where I might be able to find her answer? I have already reviewed The Ayn Rand Lexicon, Objectively Speaking and Ayn Rand Answers and I didn't find anything. Any help on this would be appreciated. Best regards, Randall
  8. Question #4: 4) Dr. Peikoff maintains that the cause of Nazism is ______________. [p.20-25] The possible answers are: A) because the Germans lost World War I (This possible cause was named on p.20) B) the Great Depression (also named as a theory on p.20) C) secularism or the scientific spirit of the modern world (also named as a theory on p.20) D) none of the above (Peikoff's theory is that the science of philosophy "determines the destiny of nations and the course of history." p.23] When I decided form this question, I thought it would be helpful to emphasize that I was looking for Peikoff's theory as opposed to the many other theories which were also named in the same section. In fact, I think answers A, B and C are fairly widespread. This emphasis, in my opinion, wasn't absolutely necessary, but I provided it. If someone did not read the book, or they were not focusing while reading it, they might have been likely to select any of the wrong answers. The important point of the question is to identify the cause of Nazism which is put forth in The Ominous Parallels by Dr. Peikoff. Because Peikoff names several competing theories (p.19-25) I think a person could have been confused and could have ascribed the wrong theory to Peikoff. However, even if I had left out "Dr. Peikoff maintains," I don't think any rational test taker would object, thinking that I'm looking for a theory asserted by Chomsky or Rothbard, etc. No, I don't think the question would be wrong or unfair if worded without "Dr. Peikoff maintains." At this point, I have to say, I'm satisfied with the additional disclaimer I have added to all of the tests. But, I haven't been convinced that there is any serious need to "opinionate" most of the test questions.
  9. I appreciate that. I just think it is interesting that this objection is coming up now. When I provided the Objectivism: General Knowledge Test 01, I do not recall anyone raising this issue. Consider test question 1: Existence is the primary metaphysical fact, which does not require proof or explanation. [OPAR, p.7] True or False. Are you saying that this question should be reworded to: According to Peikoff, Existence is the primary metaphysical fact, which does not require proof or explanation.
  10. Did questions 5, 6 and 7 confuse you? Did you think the assertions were someone else's view (not Peikoff's)? For question 6, when attempting to answer did you think: I don't know, maybe Randall means true according to Noam Chomsky? Do you think the answers for questions 5, 6 and 7 are wrong? If you think the answers are wrong, I encourage debate and discussion. If you think a question is worded in a way that it is confusing as to whose view is being expressed (true according to whom) then I'm happy to reword a question.
  11. Could you please bring forward the questions you dislike and offer alternative phrasing?
  12. I think what Peikoff says about Snowden being a hero may have some interesting implications in regard to Nathaniel Branden in the Objectivist movement.
  13. Thanks Brant. These discussion are valuable even if I'm not always convinced by the criticisms. Candid feedback is important and I'd like to improve the project as I move forward. There will be more tests on The Ominous Parallels and on other works by Rand, Branden, and Peikoff, etc.
  14. I am not sure if this will satisfy Jonathan, but I have added the following statement: Note: All questions are formed from assertions and arguments made by the author of the book/material. When answering test questions, please keep in mind that the "correct" answer is based on those assertions. The Culture of Reason Center does not necessarily endorse the positions articulated in the subject material.