Feminine atheist to speak at Whig

December 6, 1960 — Atheist-philosopher-author Ayn Rand will address Whig-Clio tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the Senate Chamber of Whig Hall.

Rand, author of two bestsellers — "Atlas Shrugged" and "The Fountainhead" — is to deliver an "obituary of conservatism" propounding her own peculiar brand of philosophy: "objectivism."

The noted philosopher is an advocate of "objectivism," a subject that created a "philosophical furor" at Yale two years ago.

"Objectivism," the opposite of relativism, states that reality is absolute and can always be known through man's ability to reason.

No answer in relativism

Relativism, on the other hand, maintains that certain questions exist to which no answer can be given. Man's reason is of no consequence in dealing with these problems.

God is the most notable of these. Atheism comes as a direct result of "objectivism," since that which cannot be known through reason simply does not exist, according to the "objectivist."

Walter Slocombe '63, publicity director of Whig-Clio, expects Rand to present a view of conservatism far different from that of William Buckley, who spoke before an audience of about 100 at the halls last week.

To explain her view

Rand, with a "sizable entourage of disciples," will explain her view of "conservatives," Slocombe said.

Her "obituary" will attack Buckley's comments of last week and the general policy of "The National Review."

In her novel "Atlas Shrugged," Rand presents "her own personal philosophy in the form of a struggle between the 'gifted industrialist' and the 'looters', i.e. those in social welfare," according to James B. Burnham '61, chairman of the Clio (conservative) Party. "She exhausts the profit motive," he complained.