Philosophy: Who Needs It

I have a habit of reading before bed. Sometimes I pick up a fantasy novel. Other times I read a cartoon, or something else that requires very little concentration. And sometimes, I challenge myself… as I did last night, when I started reading “Philosophy: Who Needs It” by Ayn Rand.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but after the first chapter, I already had a lot to think on. Favorite quotes/thoughts so far:

Your only choice is whether you define your philosophy by a conscious, rational, disciplined process of thought and scrupulously logical deliberation – or let your subconscious accumulate a junk heap of unwarranted conclusions, false generalizations, undefined contradictions, undigested slogans, unidentified wishes, doubts and fears, thrown together by chance, but integrated by your subconscious into a kind of mongrel philosophy and fused into a single, solid weight: self-doubt, like a ball and chain in the place where your mind’s wings should have grown. (Philosophy: Who Needs It, pg 7)

“Why should I study that stuff when I know it’s nonsense?” It is nonsense, but you don’t know it – not so long as you go on accepting all their conclusions, all the vicious catchphrases generated by those philosophers. And not as long as you are unable to refute them.

The battle of philosophers is a battle for man’s mind. If you do not understand their theories, you are vulnerable to the worst among them.

You have to understand the enemy’s ideas and be prepared to refute them, you have to know his basic arguments and be able to blast them. (Philosophy: Who Needs It, pg 10-11)

I’m publishing this as part of 100 Days To Offload (Day 59/100). You can join in yourself by visiting https://100DaysToOffload.com.