Thursday, October 26, 2006

Is That Right?

The self proclaimed “foremost authority on Ayn Rand’s philosophy,” Leonard Peikoff, has this to say, among other things, about the upcoming circus extravaganza on November 7.

Given the choice between a rotten, enfeebled, despairing killer, and a rotten, ever stronger, and ambitious killer, it is immoral to vote for the latter, and equally immoral to refrain from voting at all because “both are bad.”

The “rotten, enfeebled, despairing killer” are those who proclaim themselves as Democrats.  The “rotten, ever stronger, and ambitious killer,” are those who proclaim themselves as Republicans.

Leonard then goes on to say this.

In my judgment, anyone who votes Republican or abstains from voting in this election has no understanding of the practical role of philosophy in man’s actual life—which means that he does not understand the philosophy of Objectivism, except perhaps as a rationalistic system detached from the world.

Based on Leonard’s judgment, I do not understand the practical role of philosophy in men’s lives, I am immoral, and I also do not understand the philosophy of Objectivsm, because I will not vote.  I disagree.

I think that my choosing not to vote is the only moral stance to take.  If I vote, I am simply attempting to coerce every individual through the use of a proxy, whether the proxy is Democrat or Republican.  More needn’t be said regarding that.

As to not understanding the philosophy of Objectivism, because I choose not to vote, well, that’s simply absurd.  Peikoff may indeed have a much greater understanding of the philosophy of Objectivism than I personally do, heck, he could probably nuance me to death with his vast store of knowledge regarding Rand’s philosophy, but his judgment is lacking objectiveness when he proclaims that those who will not vote are immoral and do not understand the philosophy of Objectivism.

As to why Leonard Peikoff is pushing individuals to vote for Democrats, he states the following.

...you are unwittingly helping to push the U.S. toward disaster, i.e., theocracy, not in 50 years, but, frighteningly, much sooner.

Perhaps Dr. Peikoff should read my post Onward Christian Soldiers, NOT, and Ross Douthat’s Theocracy, Theocracy, Theocracy, if he is in such fear of the kingdom of heaven on earth.

I’d also recommend that Leonard read a post of mine from January 2004 titled I’m Thinking Clearly, Now, where I had this to say about the times I had voted in the past.

...I stated something to the effect that I do not vote for individuals, I only vote on issues that effect my pocketbook, i.e. millage increases, tax issues etc.  I now want to formally state that I will not vote at all.  I acknowledge that my voting on issues that effected my pocketbook, affected each and every individuals pocketbook, and I apologize for contributing to the coercive power of the state, against each and every individual, both on a local and federal level.


Leonard’s entire post, consigning non-voters to immorality, and to not understanding the philosophy of Objectivism, can be read here.

Chad confetti to the Happy Curmudgeon for the link.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/26 at 02:50 PM
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