RoR: Forum

Hi Fred:

Thanks for your interesting essay!

Keep them coming.

:)

Ed

Post 1

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 7:25am

For decades Sweden, one of the most vulnerable countries in Cold War Europe, had no need for military defense, having had it provided by the USA. This is akin to how the Middle Eastern countries--that have had their oil fields developed by Western corporations which were then confiscated by their fiefdoms--have no need just now for any productive work and can run their welfare states because "manna comes from heaven." Such windfalls do occur throughout history on and off but are very unreliable for long term flourishing. And, yes, Sweden also has no anti-trust laws to speak of, so in some ways is more of a free economy than the USA despite high taxation and a lot of wealth-redistribution.

Post 2

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 11:24am

Fred,

I know it was just a summary, but after slumming in some epistemological equine fecal matter for a bit on other threads, your summary of Ayn Rand's basics had the effect of a long hot shower, a blast of fresh air and a delicious meal.

It is a shame she did not include Esthetics in her standing on one foot routine.

But then again, in today's context, arguing over artistic preference might divert attention from the other essentials when a summary-like presentation is discussed.

Wonderful job, your article.

Michael

Post 3

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 6:35pm

"She saw a being with the possibility of creating the theory of relativity, the Ninth Symphony, Les Misérables, The Second Treatise of Government, the Declaration of Independence, the Summa Theologica, Cyrano de Bergerac, the syllogism, etc."

I thought Rand didn't like Beethoven... and why the hell would the Summa Theologica be in there?

Post 4

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 6:39pm

I thought Rand didn't like Beethoven... and why the hell would the Summa Theologica be in there?

Brandon-
I'm feeling your pain brother. Summa Theologica !!??!

Post 5

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 6:50pm

Hey guys.

In light of the rest of this very charming article, those are merely a few nits to pick. I also saw them when I read it, but I brushed them off with, "That's just Fred."

Read some of his other stuff and you will know what I mean.

(No hostility at all meant here, Fred. You got more balls than half the posters on Solo combined.)

Michael

Post 6

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 6:59pm

I should have prefaced(or addendumed) that. It is an excellent article Fred, evidenced by the fact that we can only nit-pick.

Post 7

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 8:45pm

Actually Rand had a lot of respect for Thomas Aquinas and his Aristotelianism, minus, of course, its theological components. She appeared to have learned from Aquinas a good deal about the philosophy of mind--specifically, intentionality in the theory of meaning. Rand wasn't unwilling to learn from people with whom she wasn't in full agreement.

Post 8

Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 9:10am

Rand wasn't unwilling to learn from people with whom she wasn't in full agreement.

Great line, Tibor. Thanks for that.
Glenn

Post 9

Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 6:12pm

These messages are starting to sound like a broken record but, I can't help but post to say I really enjoyed reading that essay. You wrote it like you were really enjoying the ideas you were communicating. Very Nice

Bill

Post 10

Monday, September 5, 2005 - 7:28pm

Brandon,

"and why the hell would the Summa Theologica be in there?"

Sorry, but I thought everyone Soloist would know that Aquinas was her second favorite philosopher, behind Aristotle. Beethoven was my choice--he is my favorite composer and my son' name.

Fred

Post 11

Monday, September 5, 2005 - 7:31pm

Pity the poor son - named after a dog... :-)

[sorry Fred, couldn't pass that one up :-0]

(Edited by robert malcom on 9/05, 7:33pm)

Post 12

Monday, September 5, 2005 - 7:31pm

Thanks everyone. Now if only Sweden gets its act together.

Fred

Post 13

Tuesday, September 6, 2005 - 8:06am

Robert,

"Pity the poor son - named after a dog... :-)"
My son agrees with you--he would have preferred Brett Favre.
Fred

PS. I still don't understand how that dog could have written all that wonderful music. Tee hee.

Post 14

Tuesday, September 6, 2005 - 9:16am

I can't understand how he made it into four movies!!!

Post 15

Friday, September 30, 2005 - 4:55am