Then Athena Said: Unilateral Transfers and the Transformation of Objectivist Ethics [Paperback]

Kathleen Touchstone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 23, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0761835199 | ISBN-13: 978-0761835196

According to Objectivist David Kelley, financier Michael Milken has done more for mankind than humanitarian Mother Teresa. Working from this statement, Then Athena Said examines Objectivism, a philosophy founded by Ayn Rand, and ultimately concludes, in opposition to essential claims of Objectivism, that other people are a fundamental part of reality. In making this claim, Then Athena Said reconsiders Objectivism's central social tenet, the Trader Principle, which dictates the bilateral exchange of value for value between independent equals; elevates "reproductivity" to be on par with productivity, Objectivism's central virtue; and derives a "heuristic" for charitable giving. Relying, in part, upon economic theory, decision theory under uncertainty, and game theory, Then Athena Said examines unilateral transfers—including charity, childrearing, bequests, retribution, gifts, favors, forgiveness, and various infringements against persons or property—within the Objectivist framework.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Touchstone's work wonderfully combines economic theory's focus on 'what is' with ethics' focus on what one 'should do...' Then Athena Said is a well-thought out, well written and well laidout original book. The context is logical and systematic in order, and throughout the book the prose is direct and clear. (The Journal Of Ayn Rand Studies )

This is an invaluable book, making some genuinely original contributions to social philosophy, especially, Touchstone's argument that within the Objectivist framework other people ought to occupy a more significant position than Rand's work makes evident is novel and suggestive of important developments. The work should be of interest to both students and critics of Rand's thought as well as anyone who sees promise in a classical liberal, libertarian social and political philosophy. (Machan, Tibor )

About the Author

Kathleen Touchstone is an Assistant Professor at Troy University, Atlantic Region. She received both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Florida State University and has published numerous articles in scholarly journals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: University Press Of America (June 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761835199
• ISBN-13: 978-0761835196
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,453,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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