“Nathaniel Branden on Ayn Rand, her Philosophy and the Psychology of ... - Right Side News” plus 4 more |
- Nathaniel Branden on Ayn Rand, her Philosophy and the Psychology of ... - Right Side News
- Honda’s design philosophy stresses function - KTVZ.com
- Philosophically speaking, but having a laugh, too - Dubuque Telegraph Herald
- Scott Stekr - Bleacherreport.com
- Rapid Reaction: Colts 28, Broncos 16 - ESPN.com
| Nathaniel Branden on Ayn Rand, her Philosophy and the Psychology of ... - Right Side News Posted: 13 Dec 2009 05:20 AM PST
Introduction: Dr. Branden is a practicing psychotherapist in Los Angeles and also does corporate consulting. Dr. Branden offers workshops, seminars, and conferences on applying self-esteem principles to the problems of modern business. He addresses the relationship between self-esteem and such issues as leadership, effective communication, and managing change. Dr. Branden has a PhD in psychology and a background in philosophy and has written 20 books, which have been translated into 18 languages. More than 4 million copies are in print, including the classic The Psychology of Self-Esteem, originally published in 1969. In it, he explains the need for self-esteem, the nature of that need, and how self-esteem-or lack of it-affects our values, responses, and goals.
His many books include "Honoring the Self," "The Six Pillars of Self-esteem," The Art of Living Consciously," and a personal memoir, "My Years with Ayn Rand." Many of his books have been translated in to foreign languages, and worldwide have sold over 4 million copies His most recent book-"Self-esteem at Work"--deals with the application of his work in the field of self-esteem to the challenges of business in an information age economy. Daily Bell: It's an honor to interview you. We know you have written on many of these subjects, but our readers may not. Please feel free to give us article and book citations as you go, if you wish. Please start with an explanation of Objectivism as Ayn Rand wanted it to be understood. Why is it called objectivism? Branden: She wanted to stress that, rationally understood, knowledge is objective, meaning not effected by wishes or fears. Ethically she wanted to stress that a rational code of morality was possible and objectively demonstrable. Daily Bell: Can you describe your background, how you met Ayn Rand and what she was like as an individual? As a philosopher? Branden: The answer to this question, which is very complex, I suggest you read or re-read "My Years With Ayn Rand." What was she like? Like nothing you ever dreamed of. Daily Bell: Can you describe what she was like at the peak of her powers and why you were so attracted to her and her thought? Branden: She had a powerful intellect beyond my power to communicate. I can't remember where, but I know that somewhere I described her as a sorceress of reason. Daily Bell: Can you describe how your ardor waned and why you were eventually excommunicated? Branden: The answer to both your questions is that I fell in love with another woman. Daily Bell: What are your differences with Randian thought today and how have they evolved? Branden: In my website Nathanielbranden.com there is an essay entitled "Benefits and Hazards of the Philosophy of Ayn Rand." It answers this question in depth. There is a bias against emotion to mention only one example in passing. Another is the fact that Rand treats compassion, kindness, empathy as morally marginal. I disagree with her. I think they are enormously significant in a pro-life code of ethics. Daily Bell: You've had a great deal of success. Please explain the success of your own writings and the impact of your views on the profession of psychology. Branden: Well, first of all, I am a good writer. And also I write with considerable sensitivity to the issues that concern us at 3:00 in the morning. Daily Bell: Why is self-esteem crucial to psychological health, and how did Rand encourage it? Branden: Self-esteem is important because it influences the choices we make for good or for bad. I can't say that in her personal life Rand did much to nurture anyone's self-esteem. She was a very judgmental person, and proud of it, but she was a very poor psychologist. Daily Bell: You are a libertarian (if an unenthusiastic one) whereas Rand's famous disciple Leonard Peikoff believes, apparently, in a pro-active, overseas, state-run military. How does Peikoff square an aggressive military endeavor like those managed by the American Pentagon (with 1,000 overseas bases) with Randian thought? Branden: I am not a student of the writings of Leonard Peikoff. Viewed from my context, he is not a serious thinker. Daily Bell: How come Rand's books are such a success, even today? What chord do they touch? Is it philosophical? (If so, she must be among the most successful philosophers ever to have lived.) Branden: She has advanced a very powerful and inspiring vision of human life "as it might be and ought to be." Daily Bell: Why did Ayn Rand consider charity to be misguided, or at least not admirable - or is this somehow a mischaracterization of her views? Branden: It is not a mis-characterization, it's a big mistake on Rand's part. She wanted the reader to understand that we have the right to live for our own sake, without shame or guilt. She was also aware how common it is to make altruism the moral underpinning of dictatorship. She held that teaching "others above self" is evil. People don't understand that altruism means others above self and that self-sacrifice is our highest virtue. It s not just about helping an old lady across the street. Daily Bell: You believe Rand's philosophy to be open, while Piekoff believes it to be closed. Can you explain briefly the ramifications of these two points of view? Branden: The view that objectivism is a closed system means that only what Rand wrote and others wrote with Ayn's knowledge and approval can call the ideas "Objectivism." Obviously Rand did not consider herself an advocate of a closed system because, in an interview, she spoke of future writers who would carry the idea forward, who would see new connections and new applications and further flesh out Objectivism. An open system shares that vision. Daily Bell: Explain more precisely, if you don't mind, how your thought has evolved regarding Rand. Can she be said to be an economist, a free-market philosopher, a novelist, or all three - and more? Branden: She was a novelist and a philosopher. She was not the other things you mentioned. Daily Bell: We occasionally have some trouble with Rand's thought and her model of society and "great men." It seems to us that many large corporate endeavors are led in some sense by bureaucratic mediocrities who would never go on strike so long as their stock options stay up. Was her view of capitalism in this regard frankly romantic? Branden: It seems that in all the novels written about businessmen, the characters are criminals or scoundrels. In contrast, Rand wanted to show business men at their best. The situation in "Atlas Shrugged" is very much like our world today. In Atlas, the villains are criminal politicians and criminal businessmen. James Taggart would not be invited to go on strike and join a noble cause. Daily Bell: Do you subscribe to the Austrian free-market school? Rand did in part, we believe, though she had numerous arguments with Ludwig von Mises did she not? Branden: Rand disagreed with Mises, as best I remember, not about economics but about ethics and epistemology. Daily Bell: Is there a monetary elite in your opinion, a coterie of wealth and powerful families and individuals that attempt to manipulate world events for purposes of eventual globalization? Did Rand ever speak of this? How would she have reacted to this frankly "conspiratorial" approach to history and sociopolitical perspectives? Branden: I don't think she would regard this as anything but a Far Left fantasy. That's how I regard the comment. Daily Bell: There is a subterranean school of thought that holds that Rand ended up being endorsed by the monetary elite itself - as they were not opposed to her "great man" vision of society. Is there any truth to this or is it merely a conspiratorial rambling? Branden: Your last sentence says it perfectly. Daily Bell: Murray Rothbard ended up characterizing Rand's philosophy as a "cult." Can you explain why he did, and why, perhaps, he was wrong? Branden: Philosophy can't be cults, only people can be cults. That aside, if this subject interests you, then read "My Years With Ayn Rand". Daily Bell: Can you please, for readers, summarize any recommendations you have regarding your work and Ayn Rand's - books and articles that are especially important for those who want to understand two of the most productive and interesting minds of the 20th (and in your case the 21st) century? Branden: Although this was not in my mind when I was writing "The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem", many people convey to me that this book provided what was needed for Objectivism. Rand provided hardly a word for how to develop in a more rational and benevolent way. This was the missing link in Objectivism. I am not suggesting that even now there is everything we need to learn about how to evolve to a higher level of being, but I do think that I provided a few steps in that direction. Daily Bell: Thank you for your time, Mr. Branden and for your courtesy is answering some fairly "tough" questions about Ayn Rand and the objectivist movement. After Thoughts with Scott Smith
Anyway ... the answers, even the brief ones, do a service in our opinion to illuminate the rather murky puzzle of how Randian thought fits with the overarching free-market conversation that is Austrian economics, especially as enunciated by the greatest 20th century exponent Ludwig von Mises, whom Rand knew well. Now, it would be easy (or difficult) to get into a long analysis of Ayn Rand's philosophy especially as it interacts with the economic thought of Ludwig von Mises. While we do believe there were some economic issues that came between them - and from what we have read the relationship was not impeccably cordial - Dr. Branden has provided in an abbreviated fashion a pertinent and focused overview of critical issues. What is the major issue? The insight on which he has to some degree built his career and that from our point of view does not necessarily complement Austrian economic perspectives has to do with Rand's insistence that charity and private generosity is not necessarily moral and is in fact from her point of view immoral. She wished to celebrate one's focus on private achievement (within the ambit of pertinent self-fulfillment) as the natural corrective and this is a significant aspect of her thought. The Austrian economic doctrine as enunciated by Mises - especially in his great work Human Action - is not nearly so judgmental. Mises perspective was that human action itself was an over-arching force that defied all attempts at bureaucratic organization or government planning. People themselves are capable of corrective action, which is why government planning simply does not work. Every crisis foreseen by government, every planning measure is bound to prove inaccurate because people will doubtless change their behaviors before the difficulties are realized. We think Mises formulation of human action, building of course on past Austrian insights, is incredibly profound. He made no hard-and-fast judgments from what we can tell as to a specific MORALITY of human action - for he was interested in the economics. Indeed, his thought included implicitly the necessity for a morality, but, again, unlike Rand, he did not postulate a single over-arching moral behavior. This is why offer the tentative conclusion (subject to revision!) that Rand, in our humble opinion, was perhaps more successful as a novelist than as a philosopher and why Mises, who, perhaps, saw himself more as an economist than philosopher, fashioned a deeply philosophical and generous vision. Yes, for us, in some ways, it seems that Mises succeeds philosophically through the profound and generous statement that is Human Action. Rand, despite the virtues and iconoclasm of Objectivism, succeeds (in some ways) more powerfully as an artist. Interviews and after-thoughts may include the contributions of several Daily Bell editors and writers. © Copyright 2008 - 2009 Appenzeller Business Press AG. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Bell is an informative compendium of independent economic views and analysis, which is published by Appenzeller Business Press AG. The information contained in the Daily Bell is for informational purposes only, is impersonal and not tailored to the investment needs of any particular person and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Appenzeller Business Press AG does not accept any liability or responsibility for, nor does it verify the accurateness of the information being provided in the Daily Bell. Readers of the Daily Bell or any affiliated or linked sources or sites must accept the responsibility for performing their own due diligence before acting on any of the information provided within the report regardless of the source.
fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger | |
| Honda’s design philosophy stresses function - KTVZ.com Posted: 13 Dec 2009 01:59 AM PST Honda isn't typically singled out for its design expertise. Instead, it is the fun-to-drive and rock-solid aspects of Honda vehicles that usually get top billing. But quietly, Honda has been capturing more and more international kudos for its leading-edge design work, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Nobuki Ebisawa, the corporate managing director and general manager of styling and design development, to talk about it. Ebisawa stressed two simple and overarching themes for Honda design: dynamism and functionality. He said the company's designers still draw inspiration from the functional designs of the first-generation Civic and first-generation Accord that were drawn in the same nondescript design studio in which Ebisawa and his crew work today. And at the same time, they look back all the way to the 1963 S500 sports car to channel the dynamism that helps set the brand apart. Ebisawa is proud of what he calls "an unbroken chain of dynamism and functionality" that stretches from those earliest models through the legendary Acura NSX sports coupe of the '90s to the Honda Odyssey minivan that transformed its segment. He expects that the upcoming hybrid Honda CR-Z, which was shown in concept form at the recent Tokyo Motor Show, will draw on both aspects of the Honda personality. Functionality will be characterized by the fuel-efficient hybrid drivetrain, and dynamism will be expressed by the car's style and fun-to-drive nature. While the exterior design of Honda vehicles has not always been highly praised, the interior of its vehicles -- and especially their instruments and controls -- have routinely been lauded around the globe. Ebisawa cites his group's intense study of the "man-machine interface" for this, noting that Honda has long relied on the philosophy "Man maximum, machine minimum" in its designs. This means that Honda's controls are intended to be intuitive, not intrusive: to help the driver, not to challenge the driver or to make a design statement for design's sake. An example of this effort is the bi-level instrument panel seen on the current Honda Civic. Intuitive operation and instant recognition were keys in the design, and Ebisawa said that in the "layered construction," perceived space is enhanced and line of sight movement minimized to prioritize information. Special effort goes into achieving natural hand position and create buttons that are easily understood. Ebisawa believes that voice support is the next frontier in making things simpler and more functional. Since 2000, said Ebisawa, Honda design execs made the conscious decision to add emotional appeal to the company's vehicles without compromising functionality. In keeping with the "man maximum, machine minimum" philosophy, space has been intentionally reduced for mechanical components, and interior space with long rooflines has been increased to maximize usable roominess. The Honda CR-Z, which will be launched next year, will encapsulate all these ideas in a vehicle that is functional and emotional, dynamic yet pragmatic. It draws on Honda's long heritage while at the same time presenting a new face and a new heart. The CR-Z will also be the harbinger of even more fascinating products from the carmaker that was once best known for its motorcycles. Tom Ripley Driving Today Contributing Editor Tom Ripley writes frequently about the auto industry and the human condition from his home in Villeperce, France. He is a big fan of the art world. Copyright (c) 2009 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved. fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger | |
| Philosophically speaking, but having a laugh, too - Dubuque Telegraph Herald Posted: 13 Dec 2009 07:57 AM PST fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger | |
| Scott Stekr - Bleacherreport.com Posted: 13 Dec 2009 01:12 PM PST Pac 10, Big 12, Big 10, SEC, ACC, or Big East? ACC for B-Ball, Big 12 for Football fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger | |
| Rapid Reaction: Colts 28, Broncos 16 - ESPN.com Posted: 13 Dec 2009 01:12 PM PST INDIANAPOLIS -- Home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs? Check.
New NFL record for consecutive regular-season victories (22)? Check. Room to rest until Jan. 16 or 17? Check. On a day when the Colts hardly played their best, they moved to 13-0 and earned three things that mean a lot with a 28-16 win over Denver at Lucas Oil Stadium. Peyton Manning threw three picks and seemed off rhythm for much of the day after he did a great deal to get the Colts ahead 21-0. The pass defense allowed Brandon Marshall to break Terrell Owens' NFL record of 20 receptions in a game with 21. But yet again, stumbles or shortcomings just didn't matter. It's hard to imagine as the Colts get themselves healthy and stick to their rest-for-the-playoffs philosophy that they won't lose at least one of their final three games -- at Jacksonville Thursday night, against the Jets or at the Bills. But losing a regular-season game is such a distant memory for this group, perhaps it's forgotten how. fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger |
The editors of The Daily Bell are pleased to present an exclusive interview with legendary colleague of Ayn Rand - Nathaniel Branden, PhD, who has "pioneered the psychology of self-esteem."
We thank Dr. Branden for the interview above, while noting the almost predictable brevity of some of his answers. We anticipated this because Dr. Branden is a prolific author who has written many books and essays and also, of course, has been asked some of the questions we asked him literally a thousands times. Nonetheless, we are not sure how to conduct an interview - especially for our audience - without asking such questions and thus we did.
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