Rand & Korzybski: Objectivism and General Semantics

in #philosophy7 years ago

Rand & Korzybski: Objectivism and General Semantics

Recently, two deep philosophers came into my view. I enjoy both of their work, but I find it interesting that they have seemingly opposite philosophies. In reality, someone could write a freaking BOOK on these two people having a conversation, so please join in on the conversation, and help me comprehend these impactful thinkers!

Ayn Rand


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Rand seems to scare many people. Mother of objectivism, she believes that selfishness as a moral virtue. Especially when in my liberal college, people didn't like the idea of selfishness, which Rand rewords self-esteem. She has many lovely things to say about bringing one's own happiness as focus in life. I like looking at her philosophy like self-love, and less like narcissism. Her interest in the free market inspired people to feel a bit more skeptical of what the state does. Also, increasing one's own responsibility encourages a strong step from dependence to independence. Acting as a moral judge, and having no fear to make a judgement can really help people gain self-confidence. Atlas Shrugged will exist as classic for awhile, yet the criticism will keep rolling in.

"There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil." - Ayn Rand

Alfred Korzybski


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"Whatever you say it is, it isn't." Alfred Korzybski

Rand's philosophy of objectivism seems a bit "two-valued" for Korzybski, as he favors Non-Aristoliean thinking. Less known by the mainstream, Alfred Korbyski developed the field General Semantics. His magnum opus, Science and Sanity (which I have just scratch the surface of) ignited some very unique conversation, and such a wide range of fields, from mathematics to anthropology.

Honestly, I have only came across General Semantics about 3 months ago. I have used it before, since Korzybski's work has trailed down into many others. I've recognized that many self-help book comes from Korzyski's work, eventually turning into things like Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) or Non-Violent Communication (Take a look at the similarities with E-Prime). The first time I found the idea "the map is not the territory" in Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, .



Add to the Conversation!


So, these books inspire many different types of people. I will boldly claim that together they did not miss a single person that couldn't use their work. I find it amazing that both created a whole field of thought. Both truly inspiring, yet I feel that there could exist a marriage of thought.

Unfortunately I lack the time to fully hash out my thoughts, but I thought I bring this to community! What would they say to each other? What similarities and differences do they both have? Do I compare apples and oranges? What if they had a baby? Thoughts? Feelings? Corrections? Additions? Let's collaborate!

-@Juxley

(I enjoy the look of black & white photos of people smoking cigarettes, but personally find smoking disgusting)

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I love Ayn Rand

Have you read her Virtue of Selfishness?

Would you agree that those who criticise Atlas Shrugged tend to resemble the same personality types that Atlas Shrugged criticises in its pages?
You know, the same type of people who would support the ideals of the Twentieth Century Motor Company for example, they hate that book.

Yes, people who criticise Atlas Shrugged seem to support ideals and practices of socialism/statism.

However, Korzybski makes an very interest mix into her work, which some can view as critism. Rand might say "all acts are done seflishessly" while the Kozybski might say "the map is not the territory," denying that her verbal abstraction has anything to do on why people chose to do what they day.

Both thinkers do agree that "human nature" or the "savage nature of man" can change. A rational person can achieve correct abstractions in the world(A.K.) and achieve a strong self-esteem in moral judgement (A.R.) but I find effort as necessary to achieve this.

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