Abstract

The purpose of the dissertation was to describe and evaluate the fully-developed thought of Objectivism as found in the writings of Ayn Rand. The descriptive aspect was accomplished by examining the writings of Ayn Rand in detail. The evaluative aspect was accomplished by analyzing Rand's understanding of her philosophic and personal heritage, her use of presuppositions and axiomatic primaries, her specific treatment of epistemological concerns, and her understanding of the metaphysical subject-object dichotomy. To aid in this task of evaluation, the philosophical hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer was introduced as an alternative paradigm for better understanding some of the issues raised by Rand's thought. ;Chapter 2 presented a discussion of the life and personal background of Ayn Rand. It was illustrated that certain key events and developments had great impact upon the later intellectual and philosophic positions of Rand. This was in stark contrast to her claims. Chapter 3 examined Rand's expressed philosophic roots and noted her affection and public affirmation of the philosophy of Aristotle. This chapter also highlighted Rand's hatred for Kantian philosophy as well as her claim that the irrationality of the modern world was the product of a Kantian perspective. ;Chapters 4 and 5 described in detail the philosophic thought of Rand. Chapter 4 treated metaphysics and epistemology. Rand's common-sense realism was built upon her understanding of the subject-object split. Rand's epistemology was centered upon the claims of reason as the only legitimate manner of knowing. Chapter 5 treated Rand's ethics, politics, and aesthetics. Rand's positions in these areas were expressed in terms of egoism, radical capitalism, and romantic realism. The description presented in these chapters was based solely upon Rand's own writing. ;Chapter 6 offered both evaluation of Rand's program and additional dialogue using the philosophical hermeneutics of Gadamer. It was claimed that Rand's philosophic position is untenable because of her illegitimate use of philosophic presuppositions, her positing of axiomatic primaries which remain above examination, and her failure to develop a workable epistemology. It was argued that in her larger body of thought, Rand even subverts the internal logic of her epistemology. Gadamer's understanding of truth and logical method was presented as an appropriate alternative to the point of view of Rand's Objectivist philosophy