Read Living Proof

The fiction novel Living Proof, by Kira Peikoff, takes place in the not too distant future in an America that has undergone a theocratic transformation.  I was attracted to this book because it is a medical thriller written by the daughter of a prominent Objectivist.  In the process of reading the novel, every time I would come across elements of the Objectivist philosophy, it brought a smile to my face.  From the main character's name, Arianna, to the story's setting, New York City, to the philosophical morality of stem cell research, (which is being suppressed by the Christian government), Kira Peikoff really knows how to exploit her market.

Currently, I am in the process of reading her second book, (another medical thriller), and, recently bought her third novel which is sitting on one of my bookshelves right now.

Paul Wharton
Objectivist Capitalist Medicine Promoter

Book: Moral Rights and Political Freedom

In Moral Rights and Political Freedom, Objectivist author Tara Smith explores the ethical and political philosophy concerning "rights" and their manifestation in regard to political liberty.

Reading Smith's book was enlightening for me in that it explained an entire school of ethical philosophy concerning "rights" that I didn't understand before.  Years ago, when I was forced into and held in hospitals, it was common practice for the place to inform me of my "rights".  One major source of conflict was a "right to refuse medication".  Often, I would inquire whether or not I could refuse only to be met with a bold and confident assurance that I have the right to refuse.  Unfortunately, eventually every time, if I refused, I would later find myself approached by a squad of security goons and a nurse with a needle to inject me.  I now know what was going through the minds of the hospital staff who always seemed to me to be liars who didn't care.  The key to their ethics is a different concept of "rights".  In their philosophy, "rights" are not freedom that has immunity from government.  "Rights" are only tangible if the person exercising one's "rights" is operating how the authorities would have wanted one to do so.  Thus, this school makes a mockery of rights and, in the name of medicine, treats people with fraud and force.

The solution to the problem, in such a medical situation, and, especially one that deals with mind-altering drugs, is to recognize the inalienable individual Right to One's Own Mind.  I believe that this natural right is one that was overlooked by the Founding Fathers--perhaps because, back then, there were few mind-altering substances that government could force into the minds of Man.  I will consider it a battle won when the Right to One's Own Mind is written as an Amendment into the Constitution of the United States of America.  If you don't think we need it, just look what happened to me.

Paul Wharton

Objectivist Capitalist Medicine Promoter