Post a response to this discussion thread
That's always been the problem with Rand: a messy psyche makes its was into an otherwise excellent philosophy. I'm glad that other Objectivists have smoothed-out the philosophy since her death, a phenomenon which I largely credit with Objectivism's survival. A friend of mine had many conversations with Murray Rothbard (who is among my favorite political philosophers- his "Ethics of LIberty" was recently re-released and I can't recommend it highly enough) before he died. Rothbard was a member of Rand's inner circle before the Branden split. She used to insist that everyone in that "discussion group" smoke (controlling fire, all that tripe). Well, Rothbard hated smoking, and thus claimed that he had asthma. Only then was he granted a sort of dispensation from Rand to allow him not to smoke. Talk about neurotic.
Where was I going with this? Oh yes, your comments on Galt's speech and the frigid sexuality are right on target. They are an unfortunate blemish on an otherwise masterful work of literature.
Terata- trust me, Rand thought about what she wrote. She had her problems, but she was nothing if not thorough. Very, very, very, very, very thorough.
-DB
Post a response to this discussion thread