By JOHN NORTH

HENDERSONVILLE — Fred Hoffstadt addressed writer-philosopher Ayn Rand’s quote that “I swear — by my life and my love of it — that I will never live for the sake of another man” in the Great Quotes lecture series on Jan. 12 in Lake Pointe Landing’s Stony Mountain Auditorium.

About 50 people attended the second in the season’s series, which is moderated by Don Emon. Proceeds from the program will be donated to Mars Hill College for a scholarship this year.

ayn-rand

Ayn Rand

Emon joked that the real topic for the night is “The Philosophy of Ayn Rand — or Fred’s Quest for Moral Clarity.”

Hoffstadt explained Rand’s quote and its background — and suggested how it could apply to individuals’ lives. 

Following his presentation, a question-and-answer period was held, after which there was general discussion by the audience. Hoffstadt then closed the program with “the last word.”

Hoffstadt, a Hendersonville resident who holds two masters degrees in the sciences, began his address by noting “I’m not a philosopher, I’m a scientist ... The answers were not there until I learned Objectivism,” which is a philosophy Rand founded.

He noted that Rand first outlined Objectivism in her 1957 magnum opus, “Atlas Shrugged.” 

“My emphasis tonight is going to be on aesthetics ... Why do you even need a code of morality? To make choices.”

Hoffstadt spent much of his presentation, outlining Rand’s philosophy, including its metaphysics, epistemology and ethics.

At that point, he asserted, “It seems like Ayn Rand (1905-1982) has been making lots of news these days, even though she passed away about 30 years ago.”

He added, “Philosophy is to life what science is to reality.”

The three axioms of Objectivism, Hoffstadt said are:

• There is an objective reality.

• Every existence has its own unique nature.

• Humans are able to perceive that which exists (reality).

In Rand’s epistemology, Hoffstadt said, “Reason ... is the human being’s only means of knowledge.”

He said that Objectivism “is a moral code designed to sustain your life and steer your toward life-sustaining actions and away from life-destructive ones.”

Conversely, Rand said man’s primary vice is irrationality, with “the derivatives” of the initiation of a threat of physical force, and fraud.

In summary, Hoffstadt said, “the standard of value is man’s life ... The reason you choose your values is to mantain and enjoy your life.

“Then, who should profit from your actions? You.”

In turning to Rand’s political philosophy, Hoffstadt said “the basic principle” of Objectivism is individual rights. He termed a “right” as “a moral principle defining and sanctioning a man’s freedom of action in a social context.” He said Rand contended that the fundamental right is “the right to life,” including exercising one’s own decisions.

He asked, “Where does government fit into all of this?” He quoted Rand’s answer as “the only legitimate function of government is to protect and defend individual rights,” with the derivatives of a police and court system — and a military for defense.

He then said Rand believed that “intellectual freedom cannot exist without political freedm, which cannot exist without economic freedom ... The economic system consistent with these basic freedoms is capitalism.”

Rand also was a proponent of the “trader principle,” in which “one earns what he gets — and does not take the unearned.”

He concluded his presentation by noting that, “in spiritual issues, a trader does not expect to be loved for his virtues and flaws, but from his strengths.”

Fred Hoffstadt

During a question-and-answer session, a man said, “Different people have different realities. How do you determine” the reality that is real?

“Rand would claim that there is just one reality,” Hoffstadt replied.

A woman said, “I think we all have different values and philosophies.”

“Yeah, well, what Rand is saying in that is there are objectively discoverable criteria by which we behave.”

In concluding the questioning, Emon, the moderator, said, “It seems clear that reason and rationality are a major force in this philosophy. If all people accepted this philosophy, what kind of society would we have?”

“I think we’d all be more respectful of others,” Hoffstadt replied. “If each of us, in all our activities with other people ... I think we (now) trample on others’ rights.” For instance, he noted he opposed the U.S.’ military campaign in Iraq.

“As far as the God question goes — there is no God in Objectivism. That’s up to science to determine.” Hoffstadt said Rand believed that “morals and ethics can be determined by the human mind ... They don’t come from above.”

“Would there be wars any more?” Emon asked.

“No,” Hoffstadt replied.

“Would people belong to religious organizations? Emon queried.

“If they are Objectivists —  no,” Hoffstadt replied, noting that Rand was an atheist.

He then quoted from a letter by Rand, in which she wrote, “I believe my statement of man’s proper morality does not contradict” any religious belief if that belief includes faith in man’s concept of free will.

Hoffstadt added that, in his view, “Christianity is the one religion (in the world) that espouses free will” and, therefore, is compatible with Rand’s Objectivism.

During an open discussion, a woman said, “To fix our problems, we need to first focus on getting ourselves together ... Everything starts within to fix anything.”

Hoffstadt then said in the “last word” portion of the program that “what I could relate to most ... is the comment that ‘it comes from within.’”

He noted that Rand defined “pride” as “the relentless pursuit of your own moral perfection ... Ben Franklin would have liked that.”

Hoffstadt also asserted, “I’m so disappointed with the absence of young people here tonight ... I mean they have more important things to do on Thursday nights,” such as watching “Dancing With the Stars” on their television sets.

In a brief interview with the Daily Planet afterward, Hoffstadt was asked if he disagreed with any aspect of Rand’s philosophy.

“Not so much the philosophy, but things she proseletized about ... For example, she didn’t address redemption.” Instead, he said Rand focused on “moral errors.” 

Overall, though, Hoffstadt said of Objectivism, “I think there’s a lot of truth in it.” To that end, he cited Rand’s admonition to “always question your premises.” 

As for Rand’s difficulty in getting along with others and proclivity to ex-communicate those in her inner circle who disagreed with her, Hoffstadt said, “I think her intense personality got her into trouble” in such cases.

So what is Hoffstadt’s conclusion about how Objectivism and Christianity might interconnect?

“There are parallels — and not,” Hoffstadt answered, noting that examining any link between Objectivism and Christianity is a complicated matter.