h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"Joy is the true meaning of life. It comes in as many different forms as there are people, and no two are the same. Be it an architect designing a building, a mother caring for her children, or a man who delights in climbing mountains, the connecting factor of these is joy."

We assume that joy is something good, or something that brings happiness. Ayn Rand does not question the reasons behind this joy. This is very dangerous. If I were a pyromaniac my joy would consist in burning things down. After all joy "comes in as many different forms as there are people...be it an architect designing a building, a mother caring for her children". Supposing I am a politician that enjoys power over people. Supposing I find joy in ethnic persecution. This too is some kind of atlas shrugging is it not? There are many suppositions to Ayn Rand's "objectivism". If her objectivism leads to a denigration of ethical or moral evaluation we are all in trouble, would we not?

The article misrepresents Objectivism, which does not believe in "joy at any cost." Rand did not use the word "joy" in her work all that frequently, so I don't know why the writer of the entry got that impression.

Rand did believe (and I agree with her) that if life is the standard of value, as it rationally ought to be, then happiness is the supreme value. Happiness does not mean a momentary sensation of pleasure or relief from anxiety, it's an enduring sense of well-being (what Objectivists sometimes call "the benevolent universe premise) deriving from self-esteem and adherence to major virtues, including reason, independence, honesty, integrity and productiveness.

Rand most certainly did NOT advocate ethnic persecution or dictatorship; in fact, she wrote passionately and at length against both. She was firmly opposed (as is her philosophy) to collectivism in any form.

If you're interested in learning more about Ayn Rand and her philosophy, I recommend the website [URL removed by moderator]

Just having a nosey and just thought I'd point out case you didn't know already. you can't post URL's in forums (or that will happen) only in Guide Entries. If you want to post a specific URL the best way to this is to post it on your personal space (or alternatively a specially created page) and directing people there instead.

Hope that helps.

Clive