"Any person who wants to live for others — for one sweetheart or for the whole of mankind — is a selfless nonentity. An independent "I" is a person who exists for his own sake. Such a person does not make any vicious pretense of self-sacrifice and does not demand it from the person he loves. Which is the only way to be in love and the only form of a self-respecting relationship between two people."
Lofty ideals, but what a great excuse for all the cheaters, users and abusers in this 'I, ME, MY' world we live in.
============================== In response to questions from the audience at the two Ford Hall Forum lectures she gave at Northeastern University, Rand explained her views in more detail. In her 1968 lecture, she said, "I do not approve of such practices or regard them as necessarily moral, but it is improper for the law to interfere with a relationship between consenting adults."[2] In 1971, Rand reiterated this position, then added that homosexuality "involves psychological flaws, corruptions, errors, or unfortunate premises", concluding that homosexuality "is immoral, and more than that; if you want my really sincere opinion, it's disgusting." =========================================
I was going to re-read The Fountainhead in the Nook version, but I think I'll pass....
Seriously, keeps us both on the up and up when I check your sources and literary inspirations. I am always bummed when I find that some cultural icon or hero of mine turns out to be a notorious Jew-Hater. I guess I have to add yet another level of checking now that I label myself as a double minority.
Ayn Rand always has very free and me ideals, so long is the persons are people that fall into a certain category, and the choices the make fall into a "me" category.
That seems like such a beautiful quote full of depth and intensity, but Ayn's philosophy was little more than glorified selfishness struggling to exhalt itself above and beyond morality and ethics. Until we master passion and desire in our emotions and ambition and envy in our minds, such exhaltation will not be possible.
The problem I always find with philosophers like Rand and Neitzche, objectivisin and nihilism and existentialism, is they conceived intellect as the be all and end all of things. Spirituality exists beyond the mind but you need the mind to bridge the divide between the body and the Spirit. Mind is the connection not the end point! Christians have a slightly different problem, they are stuck in the emotions
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So true, my friend; followed by an understanding and appreciation of "us."
ReplyDeleteI wish the many of "you" could get to the many of "us"
DeleteThe end of Ayn Rand's quote goes like this:
ReplyDelete"Any person who wants to live for others — for one sweetheart or for the whole of mankind — is a selfless nonentity. An independent "I" is a person who exists for his own sake. Such a person does not make any vicious pretense of self-sacrifice and does not demand it from the person he loves. Which is the only way to be in love and the only form of a self-respecting relationship between two people."
Lofty ideals, but what a great excuse for all the cheaters, users and abusers in this 'I, ME, MY' world we live in.
Tell me you love me, Ayn Rand...
ReplyDelete==============================
In response to questions from the audience at the two Ford Hall Forum lectures she gave at Northeastern University, Rand explained her views in more detail. In her 1968 lecture, she said, "I do not approve of such practices or regard them as necessarily moral, but it is improper for the law to interfere with a relationship between consenting adults."[2] In 1971, Rand reiterated this position, then added that homosexuality "involves psychological flaws, corruptions, errors, or unfortunate premises", concluding that homosexuality "is immoral, and more than that; if you want my really sincere opinion, it's disgusting."
=========================================
I was going to re-read The Fountainhead in the Nook version, but I think I'll pass....
I LOVE YOU!
Deleteaw shucks..
DeleteSeriously, keeps us both on the up and up when I check your sources and literary inspirations. I am always bummed when I find that some cultural icon or hero of mine turns out to be a notorious Jew-Hater. I guess I have to add yet another level of checking now that I label myself as a double minority.
Ayn Rand always has very free and me ideals, so long is the persons are people that fall into a certain category, and the choices the make fall into a "me" category.
DeleteThat seems like such a beautiful quote full of depth and intensity, but Ayn's philosophy was little more than glorified selfishness struggling to exhalt itself above and beyond morality and ethics. Until we master passion and desire in our emotions and ambition and envy in our minds, such exhaltation will not be possible.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I always find with philosophers like Rand and Neitzche, objectivisin and nihilism and existentialism, is they conceived intellect as the be all and end all of things. Spirituality exists beyond the mind but you need the mind to bridge the divide between the body and the Spirit. Mind is the connection not the end point! Christians have a slightly different problem, they are stuck in the emotions
I LOVE when I post stuff here and someone takes it in a different direction, THANKS!
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