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298 ratings, 3.55 average rating, 17 reviews
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published
December 1st 1963
by Signet
binding
Paperback, 1 pages
isbn
0451141032
(isbn13: 9780451141033)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 457)
That was the lousiest book I have ever read on philosophy and trying to educate a beginner, a new intellectual on philosophy. I would choose Durant instead or Sophie's World by Gaarder which is actually a work of art.
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This is basically a synopsis of the books "The Fountainhead", and "Atlas Shrugged". Rand discusses her philosophy, Objectivism, in terms of these two books. While this book would be helpful for someone to read in order to get a grasp on the philosophy behind these books (and perhaps understand the characters better) it is really not necessary as an end in itself. Either way, her two novels are well worth the read, with or without the aid of this book
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Read in January, 1998
I think the most egregious part of this book is how she butchers Kant's ideas. In the tradition of a typical "straw man argument," she offers a simplistic version of his ideas, and then knocks it down.
I am not a Kant follower, but if you are going to attack his philosophy, at least try to get it right.
The two stars are for spelling and grammar.
I am not a Kant follower, but if you are going to attack his philosophy, at least try to get it right.
The two stars are for spelling and grammar.
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Read in August, 2008
Maybe I just don't get it, but I found the passages taken from Rand's novels to be pedantic and deathly dull. The history of philosophy sections at the beginning were quite interesting and well thought out.
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Read in February, 1999
My favorite quote from this book: "He will know that ideas divorced from consequent action are fraudulent, and that action divorced from ideas is suicidal."
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The best cannonfodder for debaters on the planet, I especially love her distaste for Kant. A part from these, a good spectrum of her devolopment of objectivism.
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I like it perfectly fine. Except for the title essay, it's just a collection of pieces from her fiction
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A great explication of Ayn's philosophy, and the primary reason I think she's an idiot.
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Not exactly new ideas, but certainly forcefully expoloited.
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Read in March, 2004
recommends it for:
nobody
It's kind of a hoot, historicistically speaking.
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A collection of sections from her other books.
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