Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 23:37:44 -0400 (EDT)
Work and philosophy
Thomas M. Miovas, Jr.
I wrote:
> For example, it's possible
> in the future that the terms
> "moral" and "practical" will
> become synonymous; or "soul"
> and "consciousness"; or "work"
> and "philosophy"--whereby
> one of the terms will fall
> into disuse.
HB wrote:
> <HB: I don't agree with that.
> There are differences in
> meaning in each case. I don't
> even see the relationship
> between "work" and "philosophy.">
In Objectivism, the moral is the practical and vice versa; and I
noticed that every time Miss Rand used the term "soul" she quickly
added that she meant human consciousness.
The last pair was based on what I thought was a quote from Hugh
Akston: all work is philosophy. Actually, he said that all work is an
act of philosophy.
<HB: Yes, and that's a very different thing, which, in fact,
*depends* on the distinction between the two.>
_Atlas Shrugged_, Part 3, Chapter 1, Atlantis, P686 paperback
"Given up?" said Hugh Akston. "Check your premises, Miss
Taggart. None of us has given up. It is the world that has....What is
wrong with a philosopher running a roadside diner? Or a cigarette
factory, as I am doing now? *All work is an act of philosophy.*
And when men will learn to consider productive work---and that
which is its source--- as the standard of their moral values, they will
reach that state of perfection which is the birthright they lost.... The
source of work? Man's mind, Miss Taggart, man's reasoning
mind...."
