According to a couple of Objectivists, our moral codes are outdated. I *almost* agree.

Yaron Brook and Onkar Ghate say that our moral code is out of date. I partly agree, but not with their philosophy.

Objectivism is one of those areas which illustrates how not all Atheists think alike.

It's funny. I start hearing or reading something like the article linked above that promotes the Objectivist philosophy and before I get to the end, I find myself thinking, "This isn't so bad of a philosophy." I like the absence of a belief in a deity, and I like the idea of upholding self-identity and not blindly following along with the masses, but then the idea of Capitalism being morally superior to Altruism comes to light, and my brain screeches to a halt.

My take is that both Capitalism and Altruism have their obvious benefits to society, but I can't see how any society can last very long by favoring one over the other. I believe both Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists deserve praise in our society, because together they serve to promote the self-sufficiency we all need to make progress possible, and the empathy and kindness we all need to make sure no one is left wanting for basic needs.

So, although I'm clearly not an Objectivist, I still find it a fascinating philosophy to read about.

--
Mike Haynes

PS. "Who is John Galt?" ;-)

Stephen Hawking: Physics Leaves No Room For God

My hero, Stephen Hawking has gotten the debate going again. He apparently states in his latest book that physics leaves no room for God. My first thought however is "Duh! God is based on faith, not the scientific process." Now I have to think for a moment about what is being said. Stephen Hawking has found a possible answer to how and why the universe exists. This answer doesn't require a god. That is all well and good, but it isn't quite yet "the" answer. So, I think interjecting the existence of a god into the issue is irrelevant (there is also some question as to whether he actually said this or if it was the co-author who threw it in). This is indeed fascinating stuff, but it still doesn't answer what happened "before" the big bang. Thus we have a long way to go in addressing the full answer to how and why we are here.

Note: I do have a little problem with the moderator's question to Professor Jon Butterworth (an Atheist), "...How many more years do you people need to find out?" It makes me want to punch him...just a little. ;-)