Uploaded August 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this episode of Functional Philosophy, I answer the following questions:
1. "I've heard from yourself and Rand that philosophical systems (at the individual or cultural scale) which contain contradictions are like an unstable radioactive element. The insinuation seems to be that they will eventually collapse into the consistent expression of the evil elements.
Can you elaborate on the mechanics of this tendency on the scale of a culture or an individual?
And why is it that contradiction laden ideologies will more often collapse into a consistent expression of the evil elements instead of the good elements? Maybe I am misunderstanding Rand's views here. But it seems that to claim this tenancy condradicts the benevolent universe premise of Objectivist metaphysics."
2. Explain certainty.
3. "Is there a relationship between a consciousness being perceptual/conceptual an it being non-volitional/volitional? Does a consciousness's volition imply that it's conceptual and vice versa? It's relatively easy to know that animals are perceptual; how can we know that they are non-volitional?
Might we one day find non-volitional, conceptual consciousnesses somewhere?"
***
Functional Philosophy is the show in which Objectivist philosopher Charles Tew helps you gain and strengthen the philosophical foundations required to achieve certainty, success, and happiness. If you're curious to see how Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism can bring revolutionary clarity to your life, give it a listen.
Website: charlestew.com
Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/functional-philosophy/id1242722316?mt=2
Patreon: patreon.com/charlestew
In this episode of Functional Philosophy, I answer the following questions:
1. "I've heard from yourself and Rand that philosophical systems (at the individual or cultural scale) which contain contradictions are like an unstable radioactive element. The insinuation seems to be that they will eventually collapse into the consistent expression of the evil elements.
Can you elaborate on the mechanics of this tendency on the scale of a culture or an individual?
And why is it that contradiction laden ideologies will more often collapse into a consistent expression of the evil elements instead of the good elements? Maybe I am misunderstanding Rand's views here. But it seems that to claim this tenancy condradicts the benevolent universe premise of Objectivist metaphysics."
2. Explain certainty.
3. "Is there a relationship between a consciousness being perceptual/conceptual an it being non-volitional/volitional? Does a consciousness's volition imply that it's conceptual and vice versa? It's relatively easy to know that animals are perceptual; how can we know that they are non-volitional?
Might we one day find non-volitional, conceptual consciousnesses somewhere?"
***
Functional Philosophy is the show in which Objectivist philosopher Charles Tew helps you gain and strengthen the philosophical foundations required to achieve certainty, success, and happiness. If you're curious to see how Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism can bring revolutionary clarity to your life, give it a listen.
Website: charlestew.com
Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/functional-philosophy/id1242722316?mt=2
Patreon: patreon.com/charlestew
