In Defence of Ayn Rand #7: Context, Charity, and Sacrifice

[jjenson2006]

If there was no such thing as capitalism, there would be a whole lot more starving people like that child in the picture.

[xexixk]

1/2 The name of the photographer who took that photo of the child being stalked by the vulture was Kevin Carter. He was from South Africa, not England. No one knows what happened to the child. The child did not die in his presence and the vulture did not start picking at it. After taking the photo he chased the vulture away. Another photographer with him said this was taken near a UN food distrubution location and the child was left at that spot by people getting food along with other children.

[xexixk]

2/2 This experience was certainly disturbing to Kevin Carter, but he had many other personal issues going on as well.

[TaffyAlpha]

"Lets go and protest socialism, but first I need to collect my medicare card and social security check." - a tea partier.

[Frettsy]

"my parents put me through college. not everybody has the same chance in life." - TOUCHING.

[xxdonaldqxx]

Randoids want to live in the movie the Bladerunner.

[Jazzper79]

Hi Paul

Great video -- I have seen you before on youtube, I really like the way you analyze and tear it all up and get to the truth. I am 28 years old and have become a big fan of Ayn Rand this year, have read three of her books and can't wait to study it all. Thanks for the video.

Jesper, Denmark

[jnycnuk]

the problem with philosophers is they are too far removed from the real world. rand's convoluted terminology tends to confuse rather than offer solutions. the fact of the matter is that rules are made by every nation to ensure safety, health, shelter and food are available to all, however, some countries do a better job than others.

[Waltkeven]

That was awesome, Mr. Mckeever. What a great, informative rebuttal.  You are so cool!

[rbilkie]

This is a great video. Props for Mr. McKeever. Whoever made the original video, I think I've found the depth of human rottenness. McKeever nails it.

[kaiwaig]

Regarding charity, I think it rings true that Ayn Rand was echoing the concept of the 'deserving poor' vs. those who were poor of their own doing. Between those who want a hand up versus those who demand a hand out.

[Sven2188]

excellent video...

[2007Obi1]

Ayn Rand said: "Faith" designates blind acceptance of a certain ideational content, acceptance induced by feeling in the absence of evidence or proof". C.S.Lewis said: "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important". If u love this tiny life of urs so much, you better FIGHT for ur right to ETERNITY, or YOU WILL LOSE IT! Also See C.S.Lewis on From Atheism to Theism &From Theism to Christianity on UTube. Obi1

[rbilkie]

It's cowardly to pretend to believe in something you don't even know is true, just because you afraid of going to hell. Stand up on your own and look the facts in the eye, have intellectual integrity. "Fix reason firmly at her seat; call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of God, for if He does he exist, He must approve the hommage of reason, than that of blind faith"--Thomas Jefferson

[FrankFacade]

maybe you could do a video vindicating Helen Keller. She never tried to answer the waffle iron, and there is no logical basis for believing her leg was yellow and soaked in dog pee. I mean, let's be rational.

[FrankFacade]

I'm glad someone is defending an almost notable almost philosopher from serious implications that she would have wanted a vulture to pick apart a starving African child.

If there were more brave crusaders like you maybe we would stop hearing all the lies about how "bush eats dead jew hearts for breakfast" or how "wittgensteiny got a stinky hiney."

THE LIES CAN STOP RIGHT HERE!

[Moragauth]

Wow what a horrible smear. Emotive appeals cannot beat logic when it comes to truth-seeking.

[ChachiChachiChachi]

In the real world, these lines are not easily defined. Who decides who is "morally guilty" in every situation? Who decides, what makes someone worthy of charity? Loose terms define it, but the words are subjective.Rand gives the extremes and sets certain limits, but does little to work out every step in becoming obviously poor. Also who decides what is "context" and how do you interperet the "sum of ones experience, or knowledge." The opinions of how to see this is far from concensus.

[Erixon55]

Very well done.

[jscottupton]

A little dry, but devastating logic. Excellent.

[gamingnerd666]

Does logic play a role in the politics of the left or is it emotion?

[PaulMcKeever]

That could be a good video topic. Thanks Gbeast. Quick response: logic plays a role on the left like women are witches if they weigh the same as a duck.

[gamingnerd666]

Slogans and cliches; the arguments from the Left. Smears and misrepresentation are sop.

[blujesus]

gamingnerd666

all I hear from the right are slogans like:

"support the troops"

"cut and run"

"fight them over there so we don't have to..."

"when they stand up we'll stand down"

"political theater"

"up or down vote"

"embolden the enemy"

to go into the LIES "SMEARS and misrepresentation" of the right would take all day.

[gamingnerd666]

Perhaps you could stick to the subject of the video. The context of my comments are related to the video perhaps you did not listen to the video?

The context of smear and misrepresentation are mentioned in the video.

You can mention all the lies and smears of the right and I may agree.

[blujesus]

gamingnerd666

"Slogans and cliches; the arguments from the Left. Smears and misrepresentation are sop."

"Does logic play a role in the politics of the left or is it emotion?"

LMAO!!!! I guess you don't see the irony of your own comments. what have you added to the conversation other than these 2 cliches?

[blujesus]

witzkeyman made one major mistake. he only used a photo of the VICTIM and not the corporate imperial powers (thugs, and brutes) that have raped and STOLEN from her continent. the US and other countries have made BILLIONS selling weapons in africa. additionally, the west continues to reap the benefits of colonialism with unfair contracts, mining rights, etc.

[PaulMcKeever]

So, the fact that these countries are being torn apart by religious fundamentalists and other anti-capitalist, collectivist totalitarians who starve and murder millions has nothing to do with the starving child?

[blujesus]

you are attempting to absolve the crimes of colonialism by saying "they, (africans) did it too."

is it ethical to profit from the sale of weapons to a war zone?

[PaulMcKeever]

Yes, if you are selling them to people who are trying to defend their freedom to live a rational life. No, if you are selling them to tyrants or theocrats/autocrats unless, by doing so, you are defending your freedom to live a rational life (e.g., if the tyrants/theocrats/autocrats are using the weapons to kill other tyrants/theocrats/autocrats who terrorize your country by, for example, flying planes into the buildings in your country).

[Atlantist]

To clarify, in case someone else wants to deliberately misconstrue,

It is true to a natal extent,

That she was in fact, 'of jewish descent'

But she stopped descending once she realized,

As mature adults do,

That there is no god -(Atheism)

There is only you -(Egoïsm)

[PaulMcKeever]

That's true. Rand decided very early in life (9?) that she did not believe in God. I don't recall there being any history to the effect that she practised Judaism.

[aaron0883]

Well reasoned. This one seemed to drag on a little long, but I had nothing to disagree with. Maybe I am just tired. Anyway. I love listening to your videos ... keep them coming.

[qtronman]

Clear, thorough response. Great video. It is a moral crime to blame Rand, in an indirect manner, for a child being consumed by a vulture due to social-economic conditions in Africa.

[witzkeyman]

Ayn Rand preaches the opposite of utilitarianism. I have no respect for someone that preaches being vain.

[PaulMcKeever]

I have no respect for utilitarianism.

[witzkeyman]

Ayn Rand is against socialized medicine. would you agree?

[PaulMcKeever]

I would agree. And, living in the hell that IS socialized medicine (Canada), I would have agreed with her on that even were I to disagree with her on everything else.

[witzkeyman]

see Ayn Rand's philosophy as similar to a dog eat dog world. she believes in survival of the fittest IMO. that African child just wasn't contributing enough, according to Rand, or at least that's how I took it.

[witzkeyman]

would Ayn Rand consider G.W. Bush a thug?

[PaulMcKeever]

It's possible to know what she would NOT call him: rational. Harder to say what she WOULD call him.

[witzkeyman]

easy to pick on thugs. they aren't any benefit to society. I think everyone would agree on that point. some people that collect disability are vets, were injured on the job etc. btw, Thomas Hobbes was a great philosopher. his philosophies framed our Constitution.

Ayn Rand wasn't a benefit to society in any way.

[PaulMcKeever]

Well, that's just silly. Why did you feel it necessary to make a video about her in the first place? Would you do a similar video about my uncle Jerry?

[AynRandMorale]

-Justice and Honesty using straight facts- You may just set the world on its true axiom yet.

What worries me though is the number of people that get sucked right into that bromide-cesspool. That poor creature is an electorial campaigner!

AvengingAngel kudos on your pARt as usual RagnarMckeever.

[PaulMcKeever]

Thanks ARM.

[marneedear]

Great Paul. Well done as always. Thanks for that.

[PaulMcKeever]

Most welcome.