What Makes Ayn Rand's Philosophy Distinctive? by Onkar Ghate

Have you ever wondered what Ayn Rand’s philosophy—which she called Objectivism—is all about? Why is she such a controversial figure with millions of fans who love The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged but also with many, many critics who call her books and ideas evil?

Onkar Ghate, a senior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, discusses Objectivism and explores especially Rand's moral and religious views, which are at the heart of her radicalness. Ghate also considers why she championed self-interest and her new conception of a moral hero.

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[goblinhairedguy]

Thank you for this! What an amazing woman!

[trivas]

Great stuff, Onkar. I would be interested in your response to the philosophic skepticism that is prominent to the hosts of the Atheist Experience and the atheist community of Austen TX and best explicated by Matt Dillahunty and perhaps MIchael Schermer in another video.

[thomasm.miovasjr.]

Good presentation of the few of the things that separates out Objectivism from other philosophies that offer and prey upon those who deal with false alternatives without being aware of the third option. I do think she also, though I think she got some of it from Aristotle, had a differing view of causation she got primarily inductively, by observation and integration -- in other words, while we can still use "cause" and "effect" what Ayn Rand meant by that was that the entity in question is the cause, whereas its own action is the effect.

[SallyMorem]

Followers of Rand also play binary games. When I made an argument for a American conservative form of limited government on a Rand Facebook page, a Randian asked me why I believed in theft. So, the binary here is you must be a follower of Rand or you believe in theft. Another false dichotomy.

[drstrangelove]

So, is Rand's conception of the soul something supernatural? (I cannot imagine that it is. You may have addressed this. I think that saying that we are pushed to accept that religious view or the view that all is determined is not accurate.)

[edbonz]

Nice. This income tax seems unconstitutional.
Article: New INCOME tax brackets for 2020

Alicia Adamczyk
CNBC 6 November 2019.

The IRS released the federal tax rates and income brackets for 2020 on Wednesday. The seven tax rates remain unchanged, while the income limits have been adjusted for inflation.

Tax rates in the U.S. are marginal, meaning that different levels of the same person's income are taxed at different rates. If you earn $80, 000 in 2020 and are married filing jointly, for example, the first $19, 750 of that will be taxed at 10%, and the income over $19, 750 will be taxed at 12%.

The 2020 tax brackets affect the taxes that will be filed in 2021. These are the 2019 brackets.

Here are the new brackets for 2020, depending on your taxable income and filing status:

For married individuals filing jointly:

10%: Up to $19, 750

12%: Income between $19, 750 to $80, 250

22%: Income between $80, 250 to $171, 050

24%: Income between $171, 050 to $326, 600

32%: Income between $326, 600 to $414, 700

35%: Income between $414, 700 to $622, 050

37%: Income over $622, 050

For unmarried individuals:

10%: Up to $9, 875

12%: Income between $9, 875 to $40, 125

22%: Income between $40, 125 to $85, 525

24%: Income between $85, 525 to $163, 300

32% Income between $163, 300 to $207, 350

35%: Income between $207, 350 to $518, 400

37%: Income over $518, 400

TY ARI & DR OG. $

[jasonbrooks]

I think Ayn Rand’s view of religion is not what it is for everyone.

[davidworrall_thomas]

It's distinctive because, she never had an honest emotion in her life.