I have a real problem groking this... It's not the notion of looking into the Objectivist canon and finding arguments, stipulations, axioms, examples, etc. It's the false authority of Mr. or Ms. "Objectivism Holds" in the presupposition and the false transfer of authority to the person starting a statement that way, however partial that may be, that makes it hard for me to grok. I hold my own mind to be sovereign. I already have enough trouble with my genes, history, social environment and reality in general. The volition left over is mine and mine alone. I don't need to bow to any other authority. Michael I'm not sure what you mean by grok. If you disagree with my interpretation of Objectivism, let me know. If you value having a sovereign mind more than following Objectivism, that's fine but I think following Objectivism (while still questioning it) will help you achieve your goals. And what's the value of having a sovereign mind or volition if you don't use it to pursue your values?