Donovan A.

I see you love to repeat your dogmatic, nonsensical word games as often as possible. Merlin, I think you know that I'm not playing any "dogmatic nonsensical word games". If you belive Im in error, feel free to point out the error and refute the argument. Since Ayn Rand's ideology is based on concepts like "objective value" "selfishness" versus "altruism", "sacrifice" "life proper to man" etc., these terms will show up time and again in her writings, both fiction and non-fiction. So I'm merely applying Ayn Rand's advice and checking premises. But in case you really have not understood my point, I'll explain again. Rand's error lies in subjectively JUDGING the choices people make by wrongly assuming that her own personal values are "rational", and "objective", which in her mind qualifies them as a one set for all. But that premise of hers is false. For what people value or don't value is a matter of personal choice. Suppose a millionnaire gives up his wealth for some reason, all that can be said is that this person - for whatever reason - values abandoning the wealth higher than keeping it. If not, he would not do it. How others value the choice, this again depends on their personal values. Hello Xray, although you are raising some interesting discussion, I'm having a hard time seeing how it connects to the concept of heroism in Ayn Rand's philosophy. Perhaps, there is another thread (or you can start one) where we can talk about objective values as opposed to intrinsic values and subjective values.

Hi there, the comment on Socrates was a part of the Q&A from Lecture 7 - Disc 2, answers by Peikoff. I can try to listen to it again when I have time. I'm pretty sure Rand did not deal with the question of Heroism once she took over the Q&A period, she mostly talked about the election.

I just reviewed the Q&A where Ayn Rand participates in lecture 7 and I didn't hear that question being covered.

Hi Phil, I hope my challenging your point here will elicit a respectful response. I would consider a man that rushes into a burning building to save his wife (maybe others) as a hero. I would consider overcoming the danger of a serious fire burning in a building as a major challenge. The struggle in this case would be overcoming the fire which threatens the man's values. I would consider this to be true, in reality or in a fictional sense. My computer dictionary has this definition for the concept hero: hero |ˈhi(ə)rō| noun ( pl. -roes) a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities : a war hero. • the chief male character in a book, play, or movie, who is typically identified with good qualities, and with whom the reader is expected to sympathize. • (in mythology and folklore) a person of superhuman qualities and often semidivine origin, in particular one of those whose exploits and dealings with the gods were the subject of ancient Greek myths and legends. This definition is very broad because before you can identify a heroic act or character, you must define what a noble quality is and what the good is. Noble, according to which philosophy? Good, by what standard? In our current culture, altruism (self-sacrifice) is considered noble and good and this is heavily reflected in art via: movies, comic books, paintings, etc. Even if you get a person to accept that the good is not self-sacrifice, but trade, rational personal achievement, the pursuit of rational happiness, this does not mean that the concept of a hero will be clear, because, in my view, the association of heroism with altruism has been strongly developed and accepted in our culture. I think Barbara Branden in her Efficient Thinking course may have touched upon the idea that when someone is young they will accept comic book characters as heroic, and as adults they may come to the abstraction that John Galt or Howard Roark are heros. Perhaps Barbara could shed some light on this thread for us, and I would really appreciate that. Regards, R

Hi Philip, I have too many resources actually. I like asking people on OL if they can be of assistance, most of the time the posters here have been benevolent and helpful. Recently, I was listening to an audio-lecture and the concept of what a hero is in Ayn Rand's terms came up, I just don't remember where I heard the issue discussed. I can, and probably will have to wait until I just come across it again, if nobody can help me out. If you are able to contribute something helpful I would appreciate it, I might even consider you to be heroic if you did. Thanks! R

I can draw on the concept of moral perfection, the idea that a person is committed to total honesty; when and if a man discovers he is in error he never leaves it uncorrected. I can say a hero is a man who lives by the virtues Ayn Rand defined: rationality, honesty, integrity, justice, independence, productiveness, pride, and I accept benevolence as a virtue. A hero does not live for others, nor does he ask others to live for him. Such a man holds three primary values as essential: reason, purpose and self-esteem. So this is very different than the model of a man whose heroism depends on his relation to the needy and the weak. An Ayn Rand hero is not a servant of the people. In so many ways, this obliterates the generally accepted concept of a hero. An Ayn Rand hero does not grant favors, he is not concerned with charity, he gives the deserved and only the deserved.

Hi shane, Thank you for your response. I am familiar with the characters in Ayn Rand's fiction books. I'm looking for a philosophical, explicit definition and concept. I'm looking for the forest, not the trees.

I'm interested in understanding Ayn Rand's concept of a hero better. I think I recall either Peikoff or Rand defining the concept somewhere. Could someone point me to an article or audio-lecture? In many cases, people's concept of a heroic being is that of an altruist, and this concept is presented to us over and over though art, comic books, movies, fiction books, etc. Thanks so much, R

I found what I was looking for! "Since there is no fully free country today, since the so-called "Free World" consists of various "mixed economies," it might be asked whether every country on earth is morally open to invasion by every other. The answer is: No. There is a difference between a country that recognizes the principle of individual rights, but does not implement it fully in practice, and a country that denies and flouts it explicitly. All "mixed economies" are in a precarious state of transition which, ultimately, has to turn to freedom or collapse into dictatorship." - Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness p.122

I am trying to find a quote by Rand that I may have read in either Capitalism the Unknown Ideal, The Objectivist or may have heard in an Ayn Rand Ford Hall Q&A. Basically, a person asks Rand how a semi-free country can be justified in going to war, since the semi-free country also does not recognize individual rights to a full extent. The question dealt with degree and measurement between countries. Any help in finding this topic would be much appreciated. Thanks, Randall

Hi Ted, Quite simply, there is a big difference between minting a medallion and trading raw silver. I'm not sure that the "dollars" in your pocket mean anything considering they are backed by nothing. From my understanding these silver products are used by barter associations. Aside from that, I think the medallions are beautiful. I have spoken with the designers, mentioning some of the same concerns that you posted and I am hoping to see an improved design soon. You are certainly free to mint your own designs, assuming you have the capital and the creative ability to do better. I would be very interested in seeing what you can come up with, since I am only a reseller at this time. I'm sorry this product does not interest you. Thanks so much for your candid feedback, Randall

Thank you for raising this issue, I certainly am not interested in stealing!!! As far as I am aware, the production of these medallions is legal. If it ought to be legal is another debate. I assume that if there is a problem, that Peikoff would take legal action against the manufactures (which is not me). I am aware that there have been efforts in the past to discourage the usage of names or elements from Ayn Rand novels. There is a song: Working on the John Galt line There are music groups: We The Living http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaPBg3oeIuM&feature=PlayList&p=42AF474F48A87B64&index=0 There are the John Glat Speaking videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_qQt9IrUc0 There is Fountainhead Montessori: http://www.fountainheadmontessori.org/ Of course there have been attempts to discourage groups from using the name: Objectivist or Objectivist Society (I don't think I need to provide examples) There was a music group that attempted to use the name: Atlas Shrugged, I think they decided to use a different name after legal action was taken by Peikoff. And there is a whole website called: John Galt gifts! Which also sells the medallions that I am distributing. http://www.johngaltgifts.com/ From my understanding, this is a good thing. When you see art changing and referencing Rand (especially in a positive light), this attracts so much attention to the movement. I hope that having a: Who is John Galt sign at a tea party or a Who is John Galt bumper sticker on the back of your car is not a misuse (stealing) of Ayn Rand's property. I may be wrong and I'm open to hearing what you have to say. R

I'm sorry, I am somewhat confused. Would you like to repost your comments so that they can be understood?

Thanks Michael, I was able to find some help through TAS. So I should be listening to it soon. R

I actually have a high speed scanner and I could probably get it all done in one or two days. I could then ship the notes back to you with a digital copy on a CD. I have already been doing this for another person who has some notes from the NBI days. I understand that trust may be an issue. You do not have to send me everything at once. I am more than willing to earn trust. Thanks so much, Randall

Hey you guys, I asked first! Is there any chance I could borrow the notes or have a copy? R

Uh, yes very interesting. So I guess that means nobody has this tape.

Someone must have a copy they are willing to lend me? I will send it back to you, in a week.

I understand that it is doubtful that anyone has a copy of the actual lecture. I am hoping that someone has detailed notes. Most NBI students I'm convinced took detailed notes. So, if anyone has notes on this course, will you please contact me. I would like very much to have a copy of the notes or at least be free to read them and return them. Thanks so much, R

The price has dropped to $25.00 per coin. Check out The Culture of Reason Center Website. These make great gifts for birthdays and the upcoming holidays!

Thank you Robert! You are a wonderful resource.

Thank you Sherry! I appreciate that very much.

Hello everyone, I am wondering if anybody has a copy of this NBI lecture: he Economics of a Free Society by Alan Greenspan. I would be very pleased if I could borrow the lecture or pay for their copy. If you have any detailed notes taken from the lecture that would also be of interest to me. Please contact me, if you can help me out. Thanks so much, Randall (DA)

Hello everyone, I am looking to borrow the lecture given by David Kelley: Objectivism and the Struggle for Liberty. I am willing to reimburse postage and I will return the lecture within a week, unless of course someone is willing to donate or sell their copy to me. I would like very much to hear this lecture! Please contact me for my address, if you can help me out. Thanks so much, Randall (DA)

Does anyone have a list of books that were sold via the NBI Book Service?