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Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 8:20pmSanction this postReply
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I know what Rand believed. I know that her opinion that it's "unnatural" and "immoral" is a huge dispute among Objectivists, though she didn't set that belief in stone and didn't consider it part of the philosophy.
 
I myself am not sure, but I believe that both sides of the gay marriage debate put far too much importance on the issue. I'm curious what most Objectivists belive, for the sake of cultural analysis and interesting commentary. Any 'comments'?


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Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 8:33amSanction this postReply
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About homosexuality - what debate?

About gay marriage - as goes for marriage, govt has no business getting involved in a private contract.

John

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Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 10:54amSanction this postReply
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Homosexuality hasn't been a matter of debate among Objectivists in a long time.  Nobody (not even Peikoff) shares Rand's opinion.  Case closed.

On the other hand, she did consider this part of her philosophy.  If it's "immoral" and due to "evasions," it belongs to the province of ethics, and ethics is a part of philosophy.  Further, in one of her letters to John Hospers, after he had invoked the distinction between what one believes qua philosopher and what one believes simply as a personal opinion, Rand says that she never opines on anything except in the former way.  When Randians say that this or that opinion (homosexuality, cigarettes, woman president) was not part of her philosophy, it's a euphemistic way of saying that the opinion embarrasses them and they aren't prepared to defend it.  Sounds nicer than saying she was wrong.

Whether or not homosexuality is a philosophical (specifically moral) question and whether or not Rand's judgement follows from her upstream positions are open questions.  What she believed is not.

Peter


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Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 4:13pmSanction this postReply
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It really is a dead issue. Purpose of life is mans happiness. Homosexuality may be a way to acheive that. Does it infringe upon anyones rights?

Dead. Buried.

Andy.

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Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 10:59pmSanction this postReply
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Hm... what are the current greatest debates?

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