Is it possible to bully an Objectivist?

Posted by richrobinson 8 years, 11 months ago to The Gulch: General
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The other day someone told me that he thought Donald Trump was a bully. Bullying has been an issue that is talked about a lot and I do believe it is a major problem especially among young people. I started wondering if it was possible to bully Ayn Rand or any Objectivist for that matter. Parents and teachers seem to be able to identify the problem but as is often the case their solutions are misguided. Teaching Objectivism at a young age would give people the tools they need to deal with any person or situation. I can't imagine Ayn Rand needing a "safe space". This would be a much better country if Rand was required reading in high school.


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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 8 years, 11 months ago
    It is possible to use bullying tactics against an Objectivist. Some Objectivists will stand up and refuse to be bullied. Others will simply move to greener pastures. Both are acceptable answers, depending on the likelihood of future profit in the current and potential future pastures.
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  • Posted by $ sjatkins 8 years, 11 months ago
    Anyone can bully with force or threat of force anyone else insufficiently able in the situation to resist or escape it. It is not about what you know philosophically but about the initiation of force on the part of the bully.
    Now being philosophically and psychologically well grounded is certainly a help in these and other situations. You wouldn't develop a victim mentality for instance.
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  • Posted by khalling 8 years, 11 months ago
    people who claim to be Objectivists do it all the time. It leads to those interested in the philosophy-to not explore it further. highly frustrating.
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  • Posted by khalling 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I am posting today a great article by Camille Paglia addressing PC and historical context. Namely the stark differences between college protests of the 60s and what is happening on college campuses today.
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  • Posted by 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hi O.A.. One of my favorite quotes. Effectiveness is the key. I remember watching interviews Rand did with Mike Wallace and Phil Donahue. They hit her with everything they had and in my opinion they were frustrated at the fact that they couldn't shake her. Convictions of beliefs is an excellent point.
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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 8 years, 11 months ago
    Yes. The question is, is it effective? That would depend upon the type of bullying and the strength of the objectivists' conviction and reasoning. We see many blogs that are filled with bullies that will wear you out by sheer volume if they can't do it by reason. Force is used and sanctioned by government to bully all, including objectivists. For those well steeped in objectivist thought and confident in their convictions it is easier to walk away. Reason is not automatic. "Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone."
    Ayn Rand
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  • Posted by 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I wonder what Ayn Rand would think of todays college students? The solutions to bullying that I see seem to concentrate on the person doing the bullying instead of toughening up the person on the receiving end.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 11 months ago
    it's tried here a lot but most aren't so thin skinned I tend to agree with your basic comment. My credo said all enemies foreign or domestic and set no time limits as one example. Objectivism is not a place for safe space since it's all internal thinking. How do you cordon off part of your brain?
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