76. Problems With Objectivism

76. Problems With Objectivism

Author: Nick Jamell August 28, 2019 Duration: 28:20

I find that today many people that I agree with on many things subscribe to the objectivist philosophy. It almost seems as if Ayn Rand is every libertarian-leaning person's favorite philosopher. Today, I'd like to talk about some problems I find with this philosophy.

When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder.
-Lao Tzu

Contradiction over objective truth- Every Objectivist I hear acknowledges an objective reality that we can only partially perceive through the senses and can only go so far to understand as reason and logic will allow us. I agree with this, however, I find that when it comes to morality, they balk at the idea of an objective standard that is applied to individual situations.

Relativistic morality- There is objective truth regarding unseen forces all around us like gravity or radio waves, and morality is no different. The social interactions between people has a right and wrong way of doing things. It is in the application of universal principles to individual circumstances that we find what is right.

Hierarchy of Virtues- This means that there is a hierarchy of virtues that exists for all people the same. It has to be sought after as rigorously as any other truth we may know. We have to follow arguments to see why some actions are ok for certain people in certain situations when in other situations it would be wrong.


Nick Jamell hosts Conversation of Our Generation, a space where urgent contemporary questions meet enduring ideas from history and philosophy. Rather than reacting to the noise of daily headlines, this podcast deliberately steps back to examine the deeper currents shaping our society and culture. Each episode is a long-form dialogue that treats topics like politics, religion, and social change not as fodder for debate, but as puzzles to be understood with patience and intellectual humility. The aim is to move beneath entrenched partisanship and surface-level takes, searching instead for clearer perspectives and foundational truths. What you’ll hear are thoughtful explorations that connect modern dilemmas to the wisdom of ancient and modern thinkers, asking how we might navigate today’s complexities with a more grounded sense of principle. This isn’t about quick answers; it’s about cultivating a more meaningful and less reactive way of engaging with the world. For anyone feeling adrift in a polarized age, this podcast offers a sustained, earnest conversation that values depth over speed, and understanding over winning an argument. Tune in for a respite from the frantic news cycle and a chance to consider what it means to be part of this particular moment in time, armed with the best ideas from across the ages.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 245

Conversation of Our Generation
Podcast Episodes
151. Book Review | The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:18
Recently, I decided to revisit The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde because it had been a while since I'd read it. And, I must say that I forgot how entertaining the book is. That's why I recommend you listen a…
150. Unplug To Recharge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:18
We're so plugged into the internet all the time that we rarely see how much of our attention it requires - and how much energy that zaps from us. I've been trying to pull back on the amount of TV and internet I use, and…
149. Book Review | The Screwtape Letters By C.S. Lewis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:05
We all can fall to temptation, normally without even realizing it. The Screwtape Letters are a riveting series of story-like letters that show how people can be tempted to turn away from God. Whether or not you believe i…
148. Justice of the Ancient World and Today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:29
What is justice? It is something that we feel intuitively, but often have trouble pinning down. We know very often when a particular action is unjust, but rarely are fully able to articulate why. Today, we'll dive into t…
147. Book Review | Fools, Frauds, and Firebrands by Roger Scruton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:12
With leaders of the influential BLM movement claiming to be avowed Marxists, I think it's good we look at what Marx and his followers believe. This book is a travel through the development of Marxist thought from simply…
146. Observing Politics Without Going Crazy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:19
The important thing in observing politics is to maintain objectivity and ability to discuss politics in a disassociated manner. This allows one to evaluate the actions of politicians based on the outcomes rather than one…
145. Book Review | Win Bigly by Scott Adams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:00
I read Scott Adam's Win Bigly a couple years after the election of Donald Trump, and it was then that I realized what happened in that election. Up until then, I thought it was a bit lucky with some skill combined with t…
144. How To See Through The Media's Lies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:48
We recently looked at how much faster lies spread than the truth. But, I want to dive deeper to see how we're being lied to and help you identify lies in headlines, articles, and assertions being put forward regularly. I…
143. Book Review | Empire of Lies by Andrew Klavan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:05
Play the episode below, and once you like it, subscribe to the podcast. This is the second book I've reviewed from Andrew Klavan, and the first book of his that I've read. He offers a riveting story that has you question…
Bonus Episode 3 | Conversation With Joe Rigi At Our Warpath [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:37
Play the episode below, and once you like it, subscribe to the podcast. The Catholic Church has a term called the "Church Militant," which is the body of living Christians - those who are still fighting the spiritual fig…