Im planning to write something more on the idea of Objectivism as an open or closed philosophy. But I think Im starting to get to the crux of the issue. My sense is that were getting caught up in names, which are obscuring the things that are being named. But if we look at the things that need to be named, there is a lot less disagreement. Im seeing general agreement that its useful to have some kind of name for Objectivism as Ayn Rand stated it--that is, Objectivism in its original form as stated by her or by those she directly authorized during her lifetime. But since knowledge doesnt stand still and its possible to add new ideas that are consistent with the rest of Objectivism, we need a name for the original philosophy plus future additions or corrections that are consistent with Ayn Rands system. Then we need a name for those whose philosophy has some significant element of Ayn Rands ideas combined with other things that are not consistent with her philosophy (whether they are claimed to be or not). So far as I can tell, there is only widespread agreement on the names for the first and the last. For the philosophy as articulated by Ayn Rand, its obviously Objectivism. For the last category, the favorite seems to be Objectivish, describing any philosophy of life that is only kinda-sorta like Objectivism. So what about those of us in the middle--me, Leonard Peikoff, and quite possibly a few others--who agree with all or virtually all of Ayn Rands philosophy but have some additional philosophical insights, small or large, that we want to add on to that. What do we call our philosophies? Objectivististic? Does it make any sense to completely separate them from Objectivism by calling them Tracinskism or Peikoffism, as if they had nothing to do with Ayn Rands ideas? Or do we do a hyphenation? Objectivism-Tracinskism. The only examples I can think of are somewhat flippant, but this is a serious call for answers. What name do we give to a body of new philosophical ideas developed as sincere, good-faith, rationally argued additions to Ayn Rands system? Im among those who say the name should be Objectivism, and that we can find pretty straightforward ways to indicate what is original Objectivism and what is a later addition whenever that is needed. But if you dont think we should use that term at all, then what is your suggested alternative?
Posted on: Sun, 06 Apr 2014 04:20:29 +0000
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