A Critique of Ayn Rand's Philosophy of Religion

Dustin J. Byrd

doi:10.5771/9780739190340

A Critique of Ayn Rand's Philosophy of Religion

The Gospel According to John Galt

1. Edition 2015

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doi.org/10.5771/9780739190340
ISBN print: 978-0-7391-9033-3
ISBN online: 978-0-7391-9034-0
Lexington, Lanham Lexington, Lanham

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Abstract

Ayn Rand’s philosophy has once again found an important part on the American political stage. With the rise of the Tea Party movement, her political and economic philosophy has infused the American public discourse with a new Libertarian vitality. Ironically, many of her new followers identify themselves as committed Christians, a prospect that Rand herself would have rejected. This book critically reviews Rand’s secular-atheist philosophy of religion, which includes her theory of altruism, collectivism, and statism, and asks the questions: How did Ayn Rand become conservative Christians’ favorite atheist?; Can Christianity, or any other prophetic religion, be reconciled with her philosophy of greed, selfishness, and capitalism?; Can one be both a Christian and a dedicated follower of Ayn Rand?; Can one appropriate her political and economic philosophy while rejecting her radical atheism and anti-religious stance?

Chapter Expand | CollapsePage
i–xx Preface i–xx
1–14 1. Ayn Rand and the Congressman 1–14
15–36 2. “I want to Be Known as the Greatest Enemy of Religion” 15–36
37–50 3. The Left, Suffering Catholics, and American Religion 37–50
51–68 4. The Atheist and the Anti-Christ: Rand’s “Second-Handing” of Nietzsche 51–68
69–88 5. Essence and Appearance in the Culture Wars 69–88
89–100 6. Where Rand and the Crucified Agree: “You Cannot Serve Two Masters!” – Contra Conservativa 89–100
101–110 7. Nervi Belli Pecunia Infinita or “Endless Money Is the Sinew of War” 101–110
111–118 8. Racism: Separate by Non-Intervention, Equal by Nature 111–118
119–134 9. Reason: Man’s Source for Understanding the World . . . Unless, like Religion, It’s Bad for Business 119–134
135–144 10. Worship a Man! or “Why Do Women Keep Complaining?” 135–144
145–168 11. The Question of Fascism 145–168
169–184 12. Pope Francis and Ayn Rand’s Idolatry of Money 169–184
185–186 13. Dum Inter Homines Sumus, Colamus Humanitatem or As Long as We’re All among Humans, Let Us Be Humane 185–186
187–196 Appendix A 187–196
197–204 Appendix B 197–204
205–210 Bibliography 205–210
211–217 About the Author 211–217

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