This is my provisional attempt to outline Objectivism by way of a sequential series of its most integral edicts (here 27 in all ~ and yes, giving some my own slight spin).
These have been arranged in three sets of 3 × 3 tables, having previously noticed a pattern of threes emerging (see last March and April's blogposts). Without excessive shoe-horning, it seems to me a tenable articulation of the salient points. Moreover, some sort of reiteration seems to manifest itself for rows (from axioms to philosophical branches) and columns (where slants towards philosophical branches start to separate out). Each table distills one of three comprehensive philosophical branches: metaphysics, epistemology, axiology (philosophy of evaluation; ethics, politics, æsthetics).
Metaphysics |
Metaphysical Angle |
Epistemological Angle |
Axiological Angle |
1 Axioms | 1 Existence exists. | 2 Consciousness is the process of identifying that which exists. | 3 Identity is what defines an existent (the difference that makes a difference). |
2 Correlates | 4 Entities exist as identifiable similarities. | 5 Action is how entities behave together as processes in accordance with their attributes. | 6 Causality is the law of identity applied to the action of entities. |
3 Inference | 7 Volition Inserts Self as a result of the choice to focus/evade (autopoiesis). | 8 Validity of the Senses in that they are causal evidence of a difference making a difference. | 9 Objective Reality as absolute (primacy of existence). |
Epistemology |
Metaphysical Angle |
Epistemological Angle |
Axiological Angle |
4 Integrals | 10 Sensation as undifferentiated awareness of objective reality. | 11 Perception as groups of sensations becoming causally identified as entities in the present. | 12 Conception as the volitional categorisation of percepts into particular relationships. |
5 Formation | 13 Mind-Body Integration harmonises consciousness with existence. | 14 Differentiation & Integration of percepts into concepts. | 15 Man-Made from Metaphysical conveys that choice-contingent concepts are hewn from given percepts. |
6 Integration | 16 Cognitive Objectivity when concepts are aligned with reality. | 17 Logic as method of developing knowledge through non‐contradictory identification. | 18 Rationality as man’s only true means of knowledge. |
Axiology |
Metaphysical Angle |
Epistemological Angle |
Axiological Angle |
7 Ethics | 19 Reason as man’s means of survival. | 20 One’s Own Life as the ultimate measure of value (reason, purpose, self-esteem). | 21 Virtue of Selfishness with man as an end in himself (pursuing rational self-interest). |
8 Politics | 22 Happiness as the aspired condition of man (via rational self-interest). | 23 Individual Rights (freedom from coercion) entails enforcement by governmental agency. | 24 Capitalism as the only moral system (in which happiness may be fully realised). |
9 Æsthetics | 25 Art as the concretisation of metaphysical ideas. | 26 Romanticism as the supreme conceptual school of art. | 27 Æsthetics Are Objective when evaluated within the appropriate, holistic context. |
Perhaps other patterns might be discerned here?
Feedback most welcome (e-mail on profile page).
How the unfolding of these statements might be integrated geometrically within a ‘spiral of evermore understanding’ may well be on the menu next month…