Introduction to Objectivist EpistemologyToday man's mind is under attack by all the leading schools of philosophy. We are told that we cannot trust our senses, that logic is arbitrary, that concepts have no basis in reality. Ayn Rand opposes that torrent of nihilism, and she provides the alternative in this eloquent presentation of the essential nature--and power--of man's conceptual faculty. She offers a startlingly original solution to the problem that brought about the collapse of modern philosophy: the problem of universals. This brilliantly argued, superbly written work, together with an essay by philosophy professor Leonard Peikoff, is vital reading for all those who seek to discover that human beings can and should live by the guidance of reason. |
Contents
FOREWORD to the First Edition by Ayn Rand | 1 |
ConceptFormation | 10 |
Abstraction from Abstractions | 19 |
Copyright | |
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action actually arbitrary Aristotle aspect Atlas Shrugged attribute awareness axiomatic concepts axioms Ayn Rand cepts characteristic(s child classify cognitive complex concept existence concept table concepts of consciousness Conceptual Common Denominator constituent context define definition Descartes differentiate discover distinction distinguishing characteristics epistemological essence essential characteristic exis existence exists extrospective facts of reality faculty form concepts form the concept function fundamental furniture given grasp Harry Binswanger human identify identity implicit concept instance integration introspection involved issue Kant kind Law of Identity Leonard Peikoff logical mathematics mean measurements mental entity merely metaphysical method mind nature nominalists Objectivism Objectivist objects observe omitted ostensive definitions particular perceive perceptual concretes perceptual level philosophers physical possess principle process of concept-formation Prof properties proposition psychological question rational animal regard relationship requires sciousness sense similarities specific subdivide subsumed Synthetic propositions theory things tion truths valid visual wider words