Also, it would be hard to find a speaker who “suffers under capitalism,” seeing as how everyone profits from it.

That is not what Dr. Brook said. And yes, I do have the video recorded. In fact, I know exactly at which point you got confused. A questioner asked how we defend ‘rational egoism’ in a society of mainly Judo-Christians who believe in altruism.

Dr. Brook explained that ‘life’ is one’s ultimate value- as opposed to religion, which says that you should sacrifice yourself.

I know that just saying ‘you don’t know anything about Objectivism’ seems like a lame tactic, but do you actually know about Objectivism? Because if you did, you would understand that Objectivism absolutely opposes religion, and derives morality from reality, not God in any way.

Please read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivism_%28Ayn_Rand%29#Ethics:_rational_self-interest

I attended the whole lecture. And for your kind reference Dr. Brook mentioned it in this way: ‘capitalism is a system based on morals and we, as believers of Judo-Christian system, know that morals emanate from God……’

Well! You do have a video of this lecture and can confirm it by yourself. And for the claim that “..’one’ knows nothing about ‘Objectivism’….” It would be suffice to say – pretty old tactic to reject any opposing views by claiming authority on knowledge.

Thanks,

-Zeshan

I think it’s clear that you didn’t attend the lecture and don’t know anything about Objectivism. Objectivism holds that morality is an objective result of reality. It rejects mysticism (religion) on every level. Dr. Brook most certainly never said that capitalism is a result of religion. In fact, quite the opposite.

Be religious and accept the capitalistic measures(regime) without any questions. Allow full and without measures freedom to ones (only 1% of the US having >90%) to control the lives of 99% who own less than 10% share in the economy not to mention that every 8th person in this part of the (highly developed) wold is struggling with hunger. Well! its a bit better number compared to the world stats that more than 940M people in the world can’t afford a single meal a day.

And, how free should be this free market – if we are allowed to ask this question, and how about the directionality of this ‘free’ market. Should Japanese be allowed full access to the US car market? Or, should the agriculture sector be deprived of the present huge subsidies so that other countries could take benefit of huge US market? Or, the market is free only if it gives only certain big-players a right to play?

Another question that comes to mind following the logic of the speaker is: ‘As morals emanate from certain religious belief would it makes some beliefs more valued than the others?’

- Zeshan