Objectivist philosophy is a set of propositions identifying facts of reality. To the extent those identifications are new to philosophy, they are discoveries. They are very much not inventions or creations.
For example: That human concept-formation involves measurement omission. Ayn Rand did not “invent” that. Another example: That integrity is a virtue. Rand did not “create” that. She is identifying facts about human cognition and character.
Sometimes, in defending the Closed position, commentators will say things like this: “the philosophy of Objectivism was created and authored by Ayn Rand” or “Rand said that she invented Objectivism because … ” (source: comments here). Note the “created” and “invented.” That language is a mistake and skews one’s analysis.
Supporting quotation from Rand, describing her conception of philosophy:
“Epistemology is a science devoted to the discovery of the proper methods of acquiring and validating knowledge. Ethics is a science devoted to the discovery of the proper methods of living one’s life. Medicine is a science devoted to the discovery of the proper methods of curing disease. …” (Source: Ayn Rand, “Concepts of Consciousness,” Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology, pp. 35-36).
Note that Objectivism is a philosophy, and philosophy is about doing science. Scientists do not “invent” the facts of reality. Nor do they “create” the realities they are investigating. They discover and identify.
Implication: In discussing the Open/Closed issue, be sure to expunge thoroughly “invention” and “creation” language. Objectivist philosophy is about the facts of reality, not inventions or creations. Rand’s claim is that she identified a set of facts, some of them discoveries.
(The above is part of a series of elements in the Open/Closed debate. Next: “Intellectual Property” and “Ownership”)
Related: My formal debate at Ayn Rand Center Europe on Open Objectivism vs. Closed Objectivism: Video. Transcription. Podcast.