Capitalist Solutions: A Philosophy of American Moral Dilemmas

by Andrew Bernstein (Editor)

The US is facing enormous challenges as it enters the second decade of the twenty-first century. Some of these major issues are environmentalism and its claim of global warming; the danger from terrorism generated by Islamic fundamentalism; and affordable, quality health care. Additionally, education in America remains an unresolved dilemma contributing to America's lack of economic competitiveness. Andrew Bernstein argues that the US government is pushing the nation toward socialism in its attempt to resolve America's problems. The government's increasing control of the banking industry, its massive bailouts of auto makers, and its proposal of emissions legislation are also examples of the expansion of government's power. Bernstein argues that whatever the intentions of the government, or its illusions about the workability of its proposals, morally upright and practical solutions can only come from moving to the opposite end of the political-economic the establishment of laissez-faire capitalism. In Atlas Shrugged , and in her non-fiction works, Ayn Rand developed a systematic body of thought, a comprehensive philosophy she dubbed "Objectivism." This philosophy has been neglected by most professional intellectuals, but it is now beginning to be seriously studied in academic philosophy departments. Objectivism provides the moral and philosophic validation of the political-economic principles of individual rights and free markets. Analysis of today's gravest social and political issues within this philosophic framework, as undertaken by Bernstein in this volume, constitutes a unique way of identifying rational solutions to these pressing issues.

Genres: Philosophy, Economics

180 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Andrew Bernstein is an American philosopher. He is a proponent of Objectivism, the philosophy of Ayn Rand, and the author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction.

Reviews

[Johnrh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dynamic, powerful book. It is filled with in-your-face pull-no-punches logic and reason. Oh these Ayn Randians (Bernstein has written and lectured with the Ayn Rand Institute for some time). Do they never stop spouting about individual rights, freedom of choice and rational self-interest?

It is a short book, 175 pages in hard cover 6″x 9″ format. It is easily digestible although this like-able academic (I attended a 3-lecture course he gave on the book this summer, Bernstein is a pleasant, down-to-earth, nice guy) does lay down a few vocabulary words I had to explore. (Ineluctably, sedulously, farrago, abstemious, exegetically. Penury wasn’t totally alien. Shudder that I should increase my vocabulary while reading.)

He starts the book with a reminder/explanation of the Relevant Principles of Objectivism. It is a good condensation for Ayn Rand readers and non-readers alike. If you’re not sure you want to tackle Atlas Shrugged you can get the bare essence in simple terms here in less than 30 pages.

A few quotes:
“The proper name of Rand’s moral code is: “rational egoism.”
“She defines values as: “that which one acts to gain and/or keep.” A value is always the object of an action–it is not a wish, a dream, or a fantasy.” (Both p. 5)
“Therefore, Rand states: “Man [each man] must live for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself.”"
“In Atlas Shrugged, Rand provides a comprehensive answer. The freethinking rational mind is the fundamental means by which human beings create values.”" (Both p. 9)

Part II consists of 6 chapters discussing various moral dilemmas we confront today. The first five are Environmentalism, Islamic Totalitarianism (woof! no-holds-barred here!), Health Care, Abortion Rights, and Free Market Education. The final chapter of the book has subsections discussing The Right to Bear Arms, The War on Drugs (Libertarians will love this one, waste yourself to death on drugs if you choose), Immigration, and Gay Marriage.

I find that books best speak for themselves. More quotes:
Environmentalism:
“Man is never so much a part of nature as when, by means of rational intelligence, he deploys the natural resources of his environment as a means of achieving life-giving utilitarian purposes.” (p. 48)
Islamic Totalitarianism:
“What must be done? First, identify the enemy–second, specify the intended out come–third, use all necessary means to achieve it.
The enemy today is: Islamic Totalitarianism.” (p. 71)
“What is morally and practically, the right step for the United States to now take–and with what intended result?
As in the war against Fascism, so in the current war: the defense of America and American lives requires the utter obliteration of Islamic Totalitarianism and of its principal engine, representative, and standard bearer--the Iranian regime.” (p. 86-87)
[I said this was in-your-face, pull-no-punches. A man who speaks his mind AND backs it up with logic and reason. Chilling reality. Even hardcore Libertarian Ron Paul will no doubt run scurrying from this one. Of course you must read all chapters completely to get his reasons and total argument. -JH]
Health Care:
”The problem is its cost has become exorbitant, making it impossible for many persons to afford.” (p. 101)
“The lesson is clear: there is no limit to demand if those who purchase or consume a product do not themselves pay for it.” (p. 104)
“In broad terms, the solution is simple: get the government the hell out of the medical field and establish a fee market of medicine.” (p. 108)
Abortion: [Read it. Think 'free to choose'.]
Education:
“The main reason for private school superiority is that such schools are immune to the problems that inescapably plague government schools.
A private school cannot force customers to purchase it product, nor can it compel anyone to finance its existence, nor can it regulate or curtail the activities of its competitors. …Having to earn their customers and money, private schools possess strong economic incentive to provide excellent educational services.” (p. 140)
War on Drugs:
“It is horrifically immoral to coercively prevent adults from indulging their drug(s) of choice. Such a policy is a manifest violation of an individual’s right to his own life, his own body, his own mind, and his own choice of which substance(s) to ingest into his body.” (p. 158) [Ron Paul is cheering on this one. -JH]
Epilogue – Re-stating the Theme:
“The book’s theme can be re-stated succinctly: in all cases, consistent protection if individual rights and establishment of a free market constitute the solution to America’s current dilemmas. There are no exceptions.” (p. 175)

You get the idea. Read this book. If you value a book by the weight or number of pages rather than the conciseness of thought then it is moderately expensive. You’ll find a way.

Liberal progressives (Democrats), Conservatives, and Libertarians will all find something to love and something to hate in this book (or at least disagree with). What will it be for you?

[Ash Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The weakest part of this book is the opening chapter summarizing the relevant principles of Objectivist philosophy. Bernstein's summary is pretty general and abstract, so it is not likely to convince anyone who is not already sympathetic to his views. But he is aware of that, and that is not his purpose here---for a broader philosophical framework, and more in-depth arguments in support of it, he refers the reader to his own previous books (The Capitalist Manifesto, Objectivism in One Lesson, and Capitalism Unbound), as well as those of Leonard Peikoff (particularly Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand) and of course Ayn Rand herself (such as Atlas Shrugged, The Virtue of Selfishness, and Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal). And indeed, one would probably do well to have read at least one of those other books before picking up this one.[return][return]That said, the bulk of the book, in which Dr. Bernstein applies the relevant principles of Objectivism laid out in the first section to some of today's major political issues, is by and large excellent. There are chapters on environmentalism, Islamic totalitarianism, health care, abortion, and education, as well as a chapter dealing more briefly with several other issues, such as the war on drugs, immigration, and gay marriage. On most of these topics, he supplies a wealth of relevant data and shows how in every case political freedom---i.e., the recognition and protection of individual rights---is both moral and practical. This adds up to a powerful integration, which is the theme of the book: the superiority of free markets to state control over individual judgment. Definitely worth reading.

[Brian Blum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part I is a brief but concise explanation of rational egoism (aka "Objectivism") and a good lead-in to the author's viewpoints addressed in the topics in Part II of the book. Of those multiple topics covered, Dr Bernstein an I agree on everything except how to deal with terrorism. He explains well the logical reasoning behind assertions I innately know to be true but perhaps hadn't been able to explain as well as he does.

[Dwayne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extraordinary. I wish that this book be read universally.

[Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

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