Comments on: Paul Varnell: Ayn Rand and Homosexuality http://www.thebinarycircumstance.com/2004/01/16/333/paul-varnell-ayn-rand-and-homosexuality/ Things either exist or they don't Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:38:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Jonathan van Belle http://www.thebinarycircumstance.com/2004/01/16/333/paul-varnell-ayn-rand-and-homosexuality/#comment-903 Jonathan van Belle Thu, 30 Jun 2005 06:14:35 +0000 http://www.thebinarycircumstance.com/?p=333#comment-903 I should add, however, that Nathaniel changed his opinions in the mid-80's. This might go to invalidate my suspicion. I should add, however, that Nathaniel changed his opinions in the mid-80’s. This might go to invalidate my suspicion.

]]> By: Jonathan van Belle http://www.thebinarycircumstance.com/2004/01/16/333/paul-varnell-ayn-rand-and-homosexuality/#comment-902 Jonathan van Belle Thu, 30 Jun 2005 06:05:42 +0000 http://www.thebinarycircumstance.com/?p=333#comment-902 This was an excellent post. It has been my suspicion that Ayn Rand's intimate association with Nathaniel Branden had much to do with her failure to "check her own premises" on the homosexual issue. Branden was ostensibly aligned with his contemporaries in the APA, touting the "maladaptation" argument in the 'Virtue of Slefishness': "Or the adolescent who flees into homosexuality because he has been taught that sex is evil and that women are to be worshiped, but not desired?" Yet, it is difficult to blame others for Rand's positions; her intellectual independence does not seem to defualt on issues of moral significance. Nonetheless, If Branden had never arrived, I think it is likely that Rand's position on homosexuality would have been mitigated. This was an excellent post. It has been my suspicion that Ayn Rand’s intimate association with Nathaniel Branden had much to do with her failure to “check her own premises” on the homosexual issue. Branden was ostensibly aligned with his contemporaries in the APA, touting the “maladaptation” argument in the ‘Virtue of Slefishness’: “Or the adolescent who flees into homosexuality because he has been taught that sex is evil and that women are to be worshiped, but not desired?”
Yet, it is difficult to blame others for Rand’s positions; her intellectual independence does not seem to defualt on issues of moral significance. Nonetheless, If Branden had never arrived, I think it is likely that Rand’s position on homosexuality would have been mitigated.

]]> By: Chris Matthew Sciabarra http://www.thebinarycircumstance.com/2004/01/16/333/paul-varnell-ayn-rand-and-homosexuality/#comment-184 Chris Matthew Sciabarra Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.thebinarycircumstance.com/?p=333#comment-184 Chip, that's a wonderful post, and very insightful. I agree that Rand's actions speak louder than her words---if only she could have checked her own premises . . . Chip, that’s a wonderful post, and very insightful. I agree that Rand’s actions speak louder than her words—if only she could have checked her own premises . . .

]]> By: Scott Lindsley (WA) http://www.thebinarycircumstance.com/2004/01/16/333/paul-varnell-ayn-rand-and-homosexuality/#comment-185 Scott Lindsley (WA) Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.thebinarycircumstance.com/?p=333#comment-185 I had never known what her views were on the subject, though it would make sense she would advocate self-determination over criminality. THX!!! Scott I had never known what her views were on the subject, though it would make sense she would advocate self-determination over criminality.

THX!!!

Scott

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