Objectivist books

Posted by CatieM 12 years, 1 month ago to Books
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I love to read good stories. I recently remembered that the novel "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck was actually a great example of personal achievement and the value of property, in a society that doesn't place much emphasis on such things.

Anyone else read a good book with objective characters?


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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 12 years, 1 month ago
    Hello CatieM,

    Aside from the material written by Rand and her associates, I don’t know if others agree, but it would seem to me that Winston from 1984 (Orwell) gained much objectivity, as did Montag in Fahrenheit 451 (Bradbury). I don’t know if I would classify them as objectivist books, but they are great works where the protagonists discover the subjective nature of the establishments and rebel against them… In any case they are a must read in the Sci-Fi genre that act as a warning against the collective. I am sure there are more, and I would also like to hear what others recommend.

    Regards,
    O.A.
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  • Posted by XenokRoy 12 years, 1 month ago
    Most of mine are geared towards younger readers as most of my reading time is spent reading with my kids (ages 7-17)

    Atlas is mandatory reading at age 16, you do not read it and have multiple discussions with me as you do and you do not drive.

    A few good books for younger readers that teach good values and objective thinking

    Micheal Vey series.
    The first is one of the best books I have read for young people to read. Its a great book, the second was good but not nearly as much so.

    Fablehaven Series
    Five books, all very entertaining and all teach good principles that you want your kids to learn.

    A little article about the author http://www.deseretnews.com/article/65019...

    Also he has a new series (a couple books out) called the beyonders, we are currently reading it.
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    • Posted by lmarrott 11 years, 2 months ago
      I've been thinking of checking out the Michael Vey series so I could decide if I wanted to refer it to youth I know. Is it a good series with a good philosophy portrayed?
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      • Posted by XenokRoy 11 years, 2 months ago
        Also would add the "Adventures Wanted" Series. While these have less of a good philosophy behind them than the Micheal Vey or Fablehaven and Beyonders, they are very entertaining and do not have anything in them that made a shiver run down my spine like the Harry Potter Books did.
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      • Posted by XenokRoy 11 years, 2 months ago
        The first book was absolutely phenomenal. The second one was good but did not hold a candle to the first.

        The philosophy within both books offers a solid cause and consequence philosophy. The first more so than the second offers a be true to yourself and what you know to be good and right aspect that is illustrated so well there are few books that would compete. The second is largely lacking by comparison.

        I would suggest you read them first, and form your own opinion. My opinion is there are few books on the market that have a better philosophy for kids today than the first of the Michael Vey books. The seconds is still good but not quite on the level of the first.
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  • Posted by terrycan 12 years, 1 month ago
    "One Second After" is a good book. It is about an electromagnetic pulse attack. The entire USA grid is out. The time frame is from the day of the attack to one year later. Who becomes valuable and who becomes worthless is interesting. This book is not for a weak stomach.
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    • Posted by DR_BRETT 12 years, 1 month ago
      "Who becomes valuable and who becomes worthless . . ." --

      Good theme
      (I have not read the book) .
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      • Posted by terrycan 12 years, 1 month ago
        The people with skills. Mechanics, electricians, you get the picture.
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        • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 12 years, 1 month ago
          Hello terrycan,
          There is a great part in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams where the productive people of a planet fool the leeches of society into believing that their planet is doomed and they need to evacuate. They tell the bureaucrats, politicians, etc. that they are needed to set up a new planet and that they will necessarily have to be sent ahead on the first transport. The producers having rid themselves of the chaff through the ruse stay behind and become the most productive planet and commerce center of the galaxy!
          Regards,
          O.A.
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          • Posted by 12 years, 1 month ago
            That sounds awesome. I just can't stand Douglas Adams writing style. Which chapter is it? Or is it through out the whole book?
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            • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 12 years, 1 month ago
              Hello CatieM,

              I found it. It is in chapter 25 of The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. It is the planet Golgafrincham. My recollection was not completely accurate as to those considered non essential, but the main point is that the planet removed through a ruse 1/3 of the chaff and for a time lived rich full lives until they discovered that they had miscalculated and sent away one group which was essential; the telephone sanitizers.

              “…a descendent of one of these eccentric poets who invented the spurious tales of impending doom which enabled the people of Golgafrincham to rid themselves of an entire useless third of their population. The other two-thirds stayed firmly at home and lived full, rich and happy lives until they were all suddenly wiped out by a virulent disease from a dirty telephone.” Douglas Adams, chapter 25, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

              Regards,
              O.A.
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            • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 12 years, 1 month ago
              Hello CatieM,

              I don’t recall which chapter or for that matter which book. There was only supposed to be three books (A trilogy) but it turned into five. I read all of them approx. 25 years ago. I borrowed them from a friend. However I did just recently pickup a complete compendium and add it to my library. I enjoyed the humor mixed with the Sci-fi. It served as a nice diversion from the usual dry reading I engage in. Much of the humor is typical British dry humor. Some enjoy it, others not so much… If I get a chance I will try to find the pertinent storyline. I believe it was short section in one of the books; no more than a chapter if my memory serves…
              Is anyone else on this board familiar with the storyline or recall at least what book it is from? It could help expedite the search…

              Regards,
              O.A.
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              • Posted by 12 years, 1 month ago
                I like dry humor, it was his writing style that got me. I had trouble not getting lost in his tangents, then I would think of something else and then I would have just read the same paragraph 20 times.
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                • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 12 years, 1 month ago
                  I understand. I have read several of Aristotle’s works and some other philosopher’s works many times before reaching the end… Sometimes the syntax is so foreign that I feel I take two steps back and one forward. I thought the Federalist and Anti-Federalists were bad sheesh! LOL.

                  I will try to remember to look for the pertinent section of HHG, perhaps this weekend.

                  Have a prosperous day!
                  O.A.
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          • Posted by terrycan 12 years, 1 month ago
            Saw the movie HGG. Guess that part didn't make it to the movie. Wonder if the Martian Colonies could be like The 13 American Colonies
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            • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 12 years, 1 month ago
              Hello terrycan,

              The movie was a complete joke compared to the books. And much was left out! I bought it on DVD without seeing it first. In this way I believe AS is being done more justice by making it in three movies. The five books of HGG were too long for just one movie.

              Regards,
              O.A.
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  • Posted by 12 years, 1 month ago
    The other books with very good objective characters, hate to say it are the Sookie Stackhouse novels, by Charlaine Harris. All of the vampires, especially Eric are portrayed as self-serving assholes. Even though they are portrayed that way everything they do is very objective.
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