Description
Book SynopsisAccording 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 transfersincluding charity, childrearing, bequests, retribution, gifts, favors, forgiveness, and various infringements against persons or propertywithin the Objectivist framework.
Trade ReviewTouchstone'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. -- Tibor Machan, R.C. Hoiles Professor of Business Ethics and Free Enterprise, Chapman University
Table of ContentsPart 1 Preface Chapter 2 1. The Basis for Objectivist Ethics Chapter 3 2. Reproductivity Chapter 4 3. Forced Unilateral Transfers and Retaliation in a State of Nature Chapter 5 4. Decision-Making on a Desert Island Chapter 6 5. Decision-Making with Two Players Chapter 7 6. The Primary Social Unit (PSU) Chapter 8 7. Rights: Positive and Negative Chapter 9 8. Ownership Chapter 10 9. Intellectual Property: Unilateral Transfers Chapter 11 10. The Social Contract Chapter 12 11. Value Chapter 13 12. Productivity and Destiny Chapter 14 13. Replacement Capital Chapter 15 14. The Consumption-Saving Decision Chapter 16 15. Ethical Decision-Making Chapter 17 16. Charity Chapter 18 17. Favors, Forgiveness, and Emotions Part 19 Summary Part 20 Appendix 1 Part 21 Appendix 2 Part 22 References
