Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal by Ayn Rand, Nathaniel Branden, Alan Greenspan, Robert Hessen
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Book Reviews of Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal
Book Review: A Strong Voice for Individuality
Summary: 5 Stars
Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal is one of the most fascinating publications I have ever read. In it, Rand affirmed a strong belief in self-improvement through rational thinking and to place a higher priority on reasoning ability as opposed to having oneself guided by mere whims or emotions that have no foundational bases supporting them.
It is quite noble how Rand tried to enforce the theme that for one to live life fully, every action must have a guided reason as much as possible. Living according to the dictates of others or being a mere reactionary to what happens on a day-to-day basis reduces one to a form that is less than an accomplished human being with defined clarity and purpose.
From various angles, Rand attacked the philosophies and institutions, both secular and religious, that have espoused doctrines that are, in nature, altruistic. Frequently, she would cite that for a people to be free, the rights of the individual must be of primary importance, not those of the group or collective that the concerned person happens to belong to.
From having read this book, as well as Rand's The Virtue of Selfishness, I can understand how one could be wary of those who might give speeches, formal or informal, whose main idea or motive (whether it has the best of intentions) centralizes the concept of where one is to be a part of "something that is bigger than myself". Rand intermittently argued from a personal, yet universal, perspective that for a philosophy to guide man's existence and to strengthen a nation, as a whole, it must keep the right of the individual intact and that any idea that subordinates the individual to a group is dangerous, locally and encyclically.
Throughout, Rand stated that from the slightest suppression of individual rights has spawned problems hampering the ability of a society to function. Among the stated are political pull, mob rule, anarchy, political tyrrany, all of which essentially leave no room for anyone to act or communicate in a free manner.
Perhaps, most importantly, Rand hypothesized how self-destructive it would be to forgo any attempt to establish an unwavering, meaningful philosophy, especially in cases where reason and emotion are mutually exclusive. Anything less would be compromise, leaving the individual somewhat unhappy, at best, or under the influence of physical and psychological abuse, at worst. A thorough analysis of this work of Rand might make one ponder the role that politics and religion should have in his/her life.
Overall, this is a book that will make you think. At the introduction, Rand stated that in order to know better the philosophical foundations of Objectivist Ethics in Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, one should read The Virtue of Selfishness first, which I agree. If anyone wonders what could possibly follow up to Capitalism, I would recommend Return of the Primitive, which takes on not only altruism but also pinpoints on the causes, effects and patterns of nihilism, which Rand complained was being touted through the contemporary philosophy classes that introduced students to the ideas created and inspired by the writings of Immanuel Kant.
In terms of how one might be positively influenced by this book, I would say that reason, as Rand described it, can be a most powerful tool in creating a win-win situation for everyone who achieves, not just self. One word of warning: Rand, through her words, even two decades after her demise, can leave an indelible mark upon minds that can still be molded. I would recommend that you should take the power of reason and of logical thinking seriously, but do not let it get confused with what could lead to taking yourself too seriously.
Book Review: Rand's best nonfiction -- read it!
Summary: 5 Stars
In what is probably her best work of nonfiction, Ayn Rand sets out to provide a _moral_ basis for capitalism, a social/political order in which the human rights to life and property are respected and there are no (other) limitations on freedom of trade. That capitalism is today to some degree a _known_ ideal is in some measure due to the influence of Rand's ideas as represented in this volume.One of this book's great strengths is its inclusion of helpful essays by Nathaniel Branden, Robert Hessen, and Alan Greenspan. This is the _only_ volume of nonfiction published during her lifetime to include essays by anyone other than herself and Branden. It is also the only such book to include a bibliography of recommended reading. (Non-Objectivist works are listed with a caveat that the ideas contained therein may not be fully consonant with Rand's.)
And they are more than helpful: their presence suggests _why_ this volume represents Rand's best work. That she was willing and able to include essays by, and references to, other writers surely indicates that she was confident enough in her own views to acknowledge her need for supplementation outside her own areas of strength.
In my own view, Rand was a first-rate political thinker, a pretty good ethicist, a lousy epistemologist, and not a metaphysician at all to speak of. (In the latter three fields, she would have profited from closer attention to the writings of Brand Blanshard, whom she respected highly despite some disagreements. _The Letters of Ayn Rand_ indicates that he sent her a signed copy of _Reason And Goodness_ when it was published.) Her philosophy is at heart an attempt to ground her defense of capitalism in ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics, and it becomes gradually less successful the further she wanders from her strengths.
But in political theory, she was on firm ground -- and she knew it. And in this collection of essays she is at her best, arguing that the only proper function of government is the protection of individual rights, that individual rights are the only kind there are, that apparent failures of the free market are actually failures of the _government_ to restrict itself to its proper role, and generally, that capitalism is the only economic system fully consonant with man's nature as a value-seeking agent who survives and thrives through the application of reason to reality.
So if you plan to read one nonfiction work by Rand, this is the one to read. If she sparks your interest, then go on to read the flawed but helpful _Philosophy: Who Needs It_ and _The Virtue Of Selfishness_.
Then stop, unless you're just morbidly curious. Her works in epistemology and aesthetics do not measure up to the standards set in these collections and are of interest largely for the chroniclers of the bizarre personality cult that grew up around her. To find out about _that_, read Jeff Walker's idiosyncratic but interesting _The Ayn Rand Cult_.
Book Review: Good Book, on "being generous with Other People's money"
Summary: 5 Stars
Ayn Rand is not the only person who authored this books' essays. The works of Nathaniel Branden and Alan Greenspan both are worth the price. These two authors do not emphasize the "moral" aspect of capitalism but its bare bones practicalities. And as such nobody has ever been able to shoot their arguments down, on moral grounds or otherwise.In one essay, Branden dissects the criticisms of capitalism during the Industrial Revolution. He shows the relationship between the Industrial Revolution and the Population Explosion. More to the point he shows how Capitalism improved peoples' lives--by providing more sustenance for people to live on.
Alan Greenspan's Essay "Gold and Economic Freedom" is a masterpiece frequently quoted elsewhere, but origionates with this book. If you want to know how the Fed kept inflation down throughout Greenspan's reign as Chairman, here's the essence of his philosophy and modus operandi in a few pages. Greenspan also in another essay explains how corrupt monopolies cannot exist--without the help of government.
Rand herself, while sometimes going overboard on the "Morality" side, does make some very valid points in two essays in particular: "The Roots of War", and "Man's Rights." The theme of both is "being generous with other people's fortunes." (If I had the ability to take all of your money, I will show you just how compassionate to the world I can be.)
In "Roots of War" Rand explains that, outside of voluntary charity there are two ways to acquire something: take it, or swap something for it. Conquest or trade. There is no other option. Government is the agent of conquest, capitalism the agent of trade. She also shows the logical progression of each. In a conquest driven society, the pick pocket beats the honest man, but the robber beats the pick pocket, and the murderer beats the robber. Welfare states are not based on altruism but quite the opposite, and will eventually either collapse or look elsewhere for plunder. In a trade society, those who offer the best value win.
In "Man's Rights" she goes over the same concepts as in the Roots of war but more on the individual's level. She also discusses how "Rights" have gone from claims you have on your own life to claims someone else has on your life, and its potential consequences.
Finally, "Extremism--or the Art of Smearing", is a powerful essay on how left-leaning collectivists smear their opponents. Change the names and you've got the exact same thing occuring today, but this essay was written in 1964! Goes to show that the fundamental tactics of collectivists have not changed in at least 35 years.
All in all a very good book.
Book Review: She made-bare the essentials of capatilism. Bravo!
Summary: 5 Stars
Capatilism: the unknown ideal is the eighth book, by Ayn Rand, that I have read/ studied. It is every bit as good as all the others, only it is a non-fiction book and so it is not quite as much fun reading as are Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. In this work, Rand shows how capatilism almost came in to full laisse faire existence in the 19th century, how that brief peoriod of the 19th century was the one and only time in the history of the world when men were able to improve their standard of living by such a tremendous amount, in such a short span of time; All as a result of capatilism, a free, unregulated economy and industry. Rand demonstrates how the liberal's efforts to regulate industry and the economy, both for the supposed "good of society" have since stifled the progress which, in the era of the 19th century, was only in its "budding stages." Rand shows how the political interests of "liberals" have changed from the time of the new deal, when liberals still had ideas and values, to the present time when all liberals really want is to sieze control of all production, to the demise of not only those who are both producers and taxpayers, but of the supposed benificiaries of the liberals redistributive efforts. Rand demonstrates how not just liberal but altruistic agendas have been at work, through all of recorded history, in all societies of the world's past, attempting to stifle capatilism: (the only system in which man is rewarded for his individual production) by siezing control of the efforts of productive men, thorough regulations and taxation in worthless, grossly inefficent programs of redistribution of "wealth." Rand lists and disects every common argument against capatilism which you will hear in every day life in the media, from politician, co-workers, and even in university classes. She demonstrates the internal fallacies and omissions within every such argument; This IS one are of the book which may prove to be very enlightning to even the most dedicated supporters of capatilism (of which, I am one). You will find interesting chapters on the interests of communists with regard to capatilism as well as (believe it or not) the interests of Catholics with regard to communism. And how, according to Rand, the Catholic religion formally stated, in the 1960's that it would prefer to see a reversion back to anti-capatilist times; something to the order of the Middle Ages.
This is a great book! Rand is all for capatilism, and after reading it, you may find that you really didn't have a complete understanding of what capatilism is/ could be, or even of the periods of time in which it may ever have existed.
Book Review: Strong Intellectual Truth in Support of a Free World
Summary: 5 Stars
Essays on the value of Capitalism in a free society where men think and opine without fear of retribution from despots and, ideally, are shielded from them by a non-central and defensive infrastructure strong enough to do so.
It is often incorrectly attributed to Rand, by her critics, that her unfettered, uncompromising belief of "autonomous man", as central to fulfillment in the individual life, is undermined by the defense of Capitalism when so many clear examples of corrupt, destructive behavior exist within that system. Whereas those same critics would argue this or that particular collective ideology is superior, what they do not acknowledge is that type of behavior DOES NOT represent Capitalism but the unethical and amoral actions of the individual(s). So, these critics are either ignorant of Rand's ideas or deliberately deceptive in their critique of her beliefs. I have yet to read or know of any advocacy from Ayn Rand's Objective epistimology which encourages or condones a purpose-driven life devoid of conscience from considering the simple difference between right and wrong...including the Capitalist system. Ideally, were ALL men to consider and execute the simple difference between right and wrong in their lives; Capitalism truly defines the ONLY financial system free men can live by as it enriches the creative and resourceful individual while beneficial to the "productive members" in the same free society. Here, the purpose of profit is easily understood. It rewards the unnatural practice of sacrifice by daring the individual with the lure of genuine success.
Likewise....the dregs within a capitalistic society are neither provided or offered anything beyond their willingness to participate in a positive manner. As it should be. Those who "associate" or "equate" profit with greed in their indictment against Capitalism do so understanding they are wrong in their agenda driven analysis or are intellectually inept.
There are some of Rand's epistimological teachings I am unable to absorb or, perhaps, just don't understand. I am no scholar yet believe with some writing a personal bias for certain things does exist outside of her Objectivist philosophy which inflects from the meaningful, enriched direction she sought for her fellow human being. Might I add a direction well-documented, supported and hopefully, timeless. That being said I support her belief in freedom from tyranny and a corrupt oligarchy to the benefit of mankind through positive egoism, ethical conduct, and purpose-driven life all individuals are capable of having and deserve the opportunity to realize.