MOVING TO FRONT
Wes McMichael, a philosopher at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, wrote me this morning (before my post earlier today, but I only just got his permission to post his inquiry) wondering about references for useful critiques of Rand by philosophers. He writes:
Now that it appears that Governor Romney will be picking a Randian to be "one heartbeat away from the presidency," I am even more disappointed that the most readily available "analysis" philosophers have to offer of her work is the horrible Standford Encyclopedia entry. Are there not better systematic treatments of her work to which we can point students?
My impression is that few have taken her seriously enough to give a full-throated response. In a minimally decent world, I doubt it would be necessary (an introduction to ethics class is sufficient to disabuse someone of the notion that self-interest is a worthy foundation for ethics, and an introduction to political philosophy enough to show that there are social obligations to the less-fortunate (i.e. in terms of both monetary and genetic endowments)). But, are there not some big-picture treatments of her work by serious philosophers to which we can direct those interested? If so, are they only tucked away in chapters of books, or are they readily available online? Sure, some journalists have given some cursory analyses, but where are the more rigorous philosophical treatments?
No one should have to take Rand seriously, but now we actually have a devotee with a serious shot at the vice-presidency of the United States, and the most accessible philosophical judgment on Rand (i.e. in the SEOP) is a judgment that is extremely unrepresentative of mainstream philosophical opinion (and worse, doesn't even acknowledge mainstream criticism)! It's embarrassing!
I really wish we could put pressure on the SEOP editors to ask the authors of the Rand entry to include criticisms and explain the eccentricity of their analysis among mainstream philosophers. In the meantime, I would be very interested in recommendations from you and your readers on serious philosophical treatments of Rand's work. I'm really at a loss when a student asks about her. I usually recommend basic readings from Intro to Ethics and Intro to Political Philosophy texts, but this is piecemeal and indirect. I'd really like to point students to one simple overview.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Suggestions and links from readers? This is not an invitation to discuss Rand, just a request for resources of the kind Professor McMichael is seeking, and which would no doubt be useful for others.
