I am reading the chapter on Reason in Piekoff's 'Objectivism' and thinking that Malcolm Gladwell seems to be speaking directly to Leonard Piekoff with his book 'Blink'. In it he gives emotion primacy over reason in some cases. A debate by the two authors would be interesting.

The Ayn Rand Institute Campus is an exciting online destination offering free courses on Ayn Rand and her revolutionary philosophy of Objectivism. Whether you recently picked up your first Rand book or have been reading her novels and nonfiction for years, ARI Campus has something for you.
http://www.aynrand.org/campus

To expand awareness of Ayn Rand’s works and ideas in and outside of the classroom, we provide a variety of resources for high school and college students, teachers and professors.
http://www.aynrand.org/educational-resou...
(Do not be mislead by the URL: college-level material also appears.)

The Ayn Rand Institute’s media department produces opinion-editorials (op-eds) on current events, politics, culture and other topics. ARI’s articles are published regularly in newspapers, magazines and Web sites worldwide. ARI’s writers and speakers are interviewed regularly on syndicated radio programs and national television.
http://www.cultureofreason.org/

Another by a similar name is The Culture of Reason Center, run by Donovan Albanesi. He is a second-generation Objectivist and a second-generation educator. The family is free-market, not public-school. Donovan created a series of self-tests on the contents of Ayn Rand's non-fiction books and other non-fiction by Leonard Peikoff, and others. The theory is sound: if you understand the material - even if you disagree for sound reasons - then you will remember what you read. If you do not remember, then you probably did not grasp the concept. Most knowledgeable readers pass. Some get scores into the 90s. I think my grade-point is like 82.
http://thecultureofreasoncenter.com/cate...
Objectivism: General Knowledge (01)
Objectivism: General Knowledge (02)
Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology Test (Introduction, Chapters 1-8, Summary)
The Virtue of Selfishness Test 01
The Virtue of Selfishness Test 02
The Virtue of Selfishness Test 03
The Virtue of Selfishness Test 04
The Ominous Parallels Test 01
The Ominous Parallels Test 02
Understanding Objectivism Test (01)
Understanding Objectivism Test (02)
Understanding Objectivism Test (03)
Understanding Objectivism Test (04)
Understanding Objectivism Test (05)
Introduction to Logic Test 01

And from Peikoff's AynRand.org, courses
http://www.aynrand.org/educational-resou...

He's the keeper of her heritage
I guess you check into other "objectivist"
websites

Harry M

I loved that book when I read it almost 15 years ago, particularly that chapter. Once you "get" it, you will really look at the world differently, with a different understanding. If found that to be a blessing and a curse at the same time. I use the term curse because you will start to understand things differently than most around you, you will find contradictions left and right, it can cause you to feel a bit isolated, perhaps a bit alone. At least that's how I felt, but these days you have "this here internets" and a bunch of like minded folks to chat with.

The difference between egoism and egoTism is the distinction of pride from hubris. So, no one is going to claim to be an expert on Objectivism. That said (ahem) allow me point out that if you liked the chapter on Concept Formation, you will find discussions here under Books on Ayn Rand's _Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology_. And you will find them thin.

I do not have Peikoff's book, "Objectivism." If you drill down, you will find my reviews here in The Gulch of Peikoff's _Understanding Objectivism_ and of Harriman's _Logical Leap_. Again, few cared to comment. (Goto the "Philosophy" category about eight months back. Find, for instance:
http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts/90...)

The statistical mainstream here pretty much consist of constitutional republicans who responded to the anti-socialist message of the _Atlas Shrugged_ movies. If you want to discuss philosophy, some others here are willing and able, but it will be incumbent on you to keep the discussions going.

And BTW, welcome to the Gulch!