Review
"In examining Objectivism, Erickson concentrates almost exclusively on Rand's ideas alone. There is a subtle reference to the Peikoff-Kelly split, though Erickson does not mention Kelly by name.....
"The author draws many intriguing parallels between Rand's work and the work of others. He points to the early 20th century thinker, John Cook Wilson, as having anticipated Rand's idea that essence is an epistemological concept (1020. He draws analogies between Rand and Eugen Dhring, against whom Engels directed a famous critique (150), and between Rand and H.W. B. Joseph on the nature of identity and causality (152). He suggests that the work of the 19th century French intellectual, Charles Renouvier was a precursor to Rand's theory of free will. In addition, he proposes an interesting correlation between Rand's view of concepts and her grasp of the gold standard and its characteristics (291-3). His discussions of time and space are also thought-provoking. And like Robbins, Erickson seeks to defend an alternative philosophy--in this case, 'Factivity' (318). It is outside the scope of this essay to subject his or Robbins's system to any comprehensive examination.
"Also like Robbins, Erickson is at his most interesting when he focuses on the parallels between Objectivism and dialectical materialism (or 'diamat'). Erickson grapples with the various Russian Radical theses, and accepts Rand's revolt against dualism as an important characteristic of her overall project. He traces important similarities between Rand and Hegel in their repudiation of Kantian dichotomies (41-2), and points to a common 'emphasis on the objectivity of external reality' in Objectivism and Marxism-Leninism (21). Echoing Russian Radical, Erickson remarks that while Rand 'rejected much' from what she was taught by the Soviets, 'she held on to some of it' (98). Indeed, her system shows 'traces of what she rejected' (220)." -- "Bibliographic essay: A Renaissance in Rand Scholarship by Chris Matthew Sciabarra in Reason Papers 23 Fall 1998
Mr. Erickson does not argue against capitalism, nor is he a skeptic of reason. But he does refute several of her key doctrines. He reveals important connections between her philosophy and Lenin's Dialectical Materialism. He surmises that she changed those parts which were inconsistent with laissez faire capitalism and the inviolability of the law of identity, retaining such features as its atheism. He also shows the connection between her thought and Einstein's theory of relativity.
Mr. Erickson argues that Rand inconsistently held a view mid-way between monism and dualism or pluralism. Ayn Rand offered a new theory of the concept based on the idea of similarity. Mr. Erickson shows that significant parts of this theory are fallacious. She believed that her philosophy held the key to the solution of the problem of induction. He not only refutes this belief but shows how the problem was solved in large part by the late John Cook Wilson, Professor of Logic at Oxford University. Mr. Erickson also refutes Rand's attempt to solve the problem of universals; then he provides his answer.
In her theory of ethics, Rand attempted to solve the famous fact-value problem by arguing that the concept "value" is inexplicable in the absence of the concept "life." Mr. Erickson shows that, at most, her theory can account for those ideas dependent on physical survival and minimum mental health; that it cannot account for much of the higher values. Like Nietzsche, Ayn Rand explained the popularity of socialistic solutions based on the assumption of altruism, which she believed to be impossible. Mr. Erickson shows that her failure to understand altruism fully was due to an error in her theory of the concept. The result of her radical inconsistencies is that, despite her exaltation of individualism, she and her followers have ended up trying to institutionalize her philosophy. No deviations allowed! -- From Dean Turner, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy of Education University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado
Product Description
At the present time, the market place is more highly esteemed by more Americans than is government; this may soon be the case with a majority of the literate in other countries as well. Increasingly government is now viewed as a burden, rather than as a benefit. Yet, a political- economic system cannot continue to exist simply on the basis of a current success. Moreover, the present order is a mixture of capitalism and controls. Sooner or later, problems will develop, as they did in the nineteen thirties--and then people will have to consider what was at fault. Should there be a depression or some other huge social contagion, the lack of true answers may mean more war--perhaps right here in the United States.
Mr. Erickson's book, The Stance Of Atlas, contains an examination of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. More than that, it provides answers to some of the problems in philosophy which she had attempted to solve, but unsuccessfully.
It contains 361 pages, including index--softbound.
