Posts

The False Dichotomy of "Economic" and "Personal" Freedom

The concept of freedom is often discussed in terms of a dichotomy between "economic" and "personal" dimensions, underscored by debates between right- and left-leaning ideologues. Many politicians and parties consider one of these aspects more essential than the other, emphasizing the dichotomy and creating a perceived rift between personal and private action. Despite the focus placed upon it, this dichotomy is false, and so-called "economic" and "personal" freedoms are actually inseparable and cannot exist but as a single whole: freedom. According to Wikipedia's article on economic freedom, the classical liberal view defines it as "the freedom to produce, trade and consume any goods and services acquired without the use of force, fraud, theft or government regulation." This characterization of economic freedom is in essence the ability to do what one pleases with one's property, so long as it does not involve forcing others to...

The Axioms of Metaphysics

Every idea in philosophy is built on its core branch: metaphysics, the science that studies the fundamental nature of reality and existence. While metaphysics has historically been the prime branch of philosophy for most thinkers, contemporary philosophers often reject metaphysics altogether, considering it unknowable in itself or indistinguishable from the limits of the human mind. Objectivism offers a unique perspective on metaphysics based on immediate observation of the world that allows one to escape from the cycle of arbitrary doubt and begin philosophy on firm foundations. Before we can discuss metaphysics in a meaningful way, we must know why it is useful. Since every value judgement or item of knowledge exists relative to an object, it is necessary to know the nature of objects qua objects before evaluating them in any way. Before embarking on any exploration of epistemology or ethics, then, we must have a firm understanding of what reality is and how it may be judged. Ayn ran...

The Problem of Free Will and its Solution

The problem of whether or not humans possess free will has been a major focus of philosophy for millennia. Various perspectives have existed throughout history, but two have been dominant: that free will defies causality, and, oppositely, that every thought one has is predetermined. In this post I hope to clarify the distinctions between different characterizations of free will and explain why this dichotomy is false, offering a solution to the problem once and for all. A definition of free will is necessary for any discussion of it. There are various interpretations of free will with different specific definitions, but they all share the same foundation: free will is the ability of an actor to pursue a course of action in the face of alternatives. An action is then "free" if there is potential for one to act differently, and it is "non-free" if there is no such potential. If free will may be assumed true for the moment, choosing to study mathematics i...

Introduction to Rational Ramblings

According to popular belief, philosophy is but an antiquated form of intellectual masturbation, an act of ideological self-stimulation providing no real value or actual consequences to anyone participating in it. University lectures claim morality to be completely subjective, political discourse focuses on utilitarian principles rather than unalienable rights, and self-proclaimed philosophers propose elaborate proofs that reality is unknowable to man through the senses. Wherever one looks, philosophy is touted not as the ultimate tool of the mind, but as its plaything. This view of philosophy is not only incoherent, but blatantly destructive to human life. As a member of the sole species on Earth capable of advanced thought, one needs more than a set of overly abstract commandments and denouncements of reality. Indeed, what one needs to make sense of the world and live in it is a consistent perspective on existence founded on rational principles developed through ruthlessly logical d...