Ayn Rand was a philosopher and an artist, and she carefully distinguished the status of works that are discoveries from those that are creations:
“A scientific or philosophical discovery, which identifies a law of nature, a principle or a fact of reality not previously known, cannot be the exclusive property of the discoverer because (a) he did not create it, and …”*
What does that imply for Objectivism being open or a closed?
Ayn Rand Center Europe invited me and and Craig Biddle to Belgrade, Serbia, to debate. I argued that Objectivism is an open philosophy and Craig Biddle argued that it is closed.
A recording of the debate follows:
* Ayn Rand, “Patents and Copyrights,” Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, p. 130.
Related: Rand’s essay “Man’s Rights,” in the Philosophers, Explained series.
Although I think you are great. I do not think her ideas are open to modification. Objectivism is a Philosophy created by Ayn Rand in other words a way to see the world in a reality based way. Philosophy is a science open to theory but Objectivism is a philosophical theory created by Ayn Rand not open to change. We can not allow her ideas to be subject to perversion.
Just like Newton’s theory of gravity can not be changed and still be Newtonian gravity. If it defies the laws of gravity Newton discovered they are considered Non-Newtonian gravity. In the same way, ideas that were not covered by Objectivism may be complimentary to Ayn Rand’s ideas but are not Objectivism and should be stated how they are complimentary by the author. It is essential that her ideas are not open to change and be her ideas; otherwise, her ideas become subject to erosion or degradation.
Sincerely with great respect
So the key question for you to think about, Paul, is this:
Did Rand *discover* the elements that make up Objectivism, or did she *create* them?
The parallel physics question is:
Did Newton *discover* the three laws, or did he *create* them?
Paul Farias: Dr. Hicks has it exactly right.
The only “erosion” or “degradation” possible to ideas is in the minds of individuals holding them.
The ideas – the concepts – are what is stated in the words, the propositions – the facts – of the philosophy.
Only if you plagiarize Rand – claim *her* exact words are *your* ideas – and modify them without crediting yourself *as* modifying them, can you be said to be attempting a change in *her* philosophy.
Rand *discovered* (identified) philosophic facts, formulated those facts into concepts and principles, and called *her* formulated collection of integrated ideas “Objectivism”. (She said she wanted to call her philosophy “Existentialism”, but it was already taken!)
Einstein identified specific physical facts about the laws of physics and the nature of light and formulated those facts mathematically into an integrated theory labelled “Special Relativity” – then “General Relativity” – then “The Theory of Relativity”. *Einstein’s formulations* are Einstein’s – and *closed*. The physical facts about relativity are *open*. No one can re-write *Einstein’s theory*, but they *can* modify the theory of relativity according to increased knowledge about the scientific facts that Einstein discovered. Same with Ayn Rand’s “Objectivism”.
Ironically, Leonard Peikoff said (somewhere) he told her she was another (I believe it was) Aristotle, but she protested (paraphrasing): “No, I’m just like Socrates! I have some good ideas, but I need an Aristotle to integrate them systematically.”
“Objectivism” then becomes not just “The Philosophy of Ayn Rand”, but: “The Philosophy of Ayn Rand/her Aristotle”!
Then it’s up to every individual independent (“first-hand”) mind to grasp, evaluate, and critique what is – and is not – *factually objective* in what is presented as “Objectivism”. And so we philosophically evolve…!
Edward Lewis Scheiderer
Nathaniel Branden Institute Class of 1964
My last comment had it wrong in the Peikoff quote about Ayn Rand needing an “Aristotle” to systematize her ideas.
It was – which makes more sense – a “Plato” to match her status with Socrates. Plato took Socrates and elaborated his philosophy.
Aristotle revised Plato into a more realistic empiricism, so-to-speak.
Sorry. Mis-spoke…