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About North Texas Objectivist Society

Table of contents

Welcome!

Our society is friendly and active! Please read our “About” page, including our bylaws for membership and participation. We hope you will join us!

As a member, you can:

Receive announcements about our society and events.
RSVP for yourself and your guests.
Participate on our forum.
Contact other members.

I. Our Interest

“My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.” —Ayn Rand

Our society is interested in Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism, the philosophy of reason.

Books by Ayn Rand include:

Fiction
Nonfiction

The essentials of Objectivism include:

Reality: “Reality exists as an objective absolute—facts are facts, independent of man’s feelings, wishes, hopes or fears.”
Reason: “Reason (the faculty which identifies and integrates the material provided by man’s senses) is man’s only means of perceiving reality, his only source of knowledge, his only guide to action, and his basic means of survival.”
Rational Morality: “Man—every man—is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. … The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life.”
Politics: “The ideal political-economic system is laissez-faire capitalism. It is a system where men deal with one another … as traders, by free, voluntary exchange to mutual benefit … and no man may initiate the use of physical force against others. The government acts only as a policeman that protects man’s rights …”

II. Our Society

“The two great values to be gained from social existence are: knowledge and trade.” —Ayn Rand

Who
As detailed under our bylaws, our society welcomes the membership of anyone who admires Ayn Rand’s works and is constructively interested in her philosophy of Objectivism. Non-Objectivists are welcome. A member is welcome to bring friends, family, and children as guests to appropriate events.

What
We are an Objectivist society of and for our members and their families. “Society” is meant in the sense of a voluntary association. “Objectivist” describes the particular interest of our society.

When
Now, thanks to Ayn Rand’s books and sales of more than 20 million copies.

Where
Here, where we live.

Why
Our purposes are:

Social enjoyment and networking in an Objectivist-friendly context.
Promoting Ayn Rand's philosophy.

How
Our society offers social and educational opportunities.

Social Events
- Our social events are welcoming and friendly. Many of our interactions are light-hearted. Of course, some of our participants enjoy serious discussions.
- Welcoming members’ friends and families helps our society be more relevant to our lives and more enjoyable.
- Some events may be selected to be enjoyable for families with children.
- Preferably, a venue and format are selected so that participants can mingle as may be mutually enjoyable.
- Frequent events offer more opportunities for building friendships and our society.
Discussion Forum
As a forum, our society welcomes rational inquiry and discussion regarding all topics. Our society’s website allows for the sharing of information and for friendly, cooperative discussion.
Educational Resource
As an educational resource, our society may offer speakers, other presentations, a lending library, and opportunities for structured discussion.
Other Activities
Our society may offer other activities of interest to some of our members.
Objective Management
Our society’s detailed constitution and bylaws are instruments of objective management. This, not anarchy or authoritarianism, is required for a large, sustainable, and friendly society.

III. Constitution

A. Organizational Structure

“If a candidate were to be judged by and held responsible for the views of every voter who joined his side, no man of integrity would ever enter a political campaign … And more: on such a premise, no writer, speaker, teacher or philosopher, no man propagating ideas, could ever enter public life.” —Ayn Rand

“The Organizer” is the owner of our society. “Assistant Organizers” are selected by and report to the Organizer. The Organizers at least agree with the essentials of Objectivism as stated under “Our Interest” (drawn from Ayn Rand's famous "Standing On One Foot" statement), but need not be experts in Ayn Rand’s philosophy. Our profit is only friends, enjoyment, and education; nevertheless, any contributions to our society are not tax deductible.

For the future, the Organizer envisions a corporate structure for the ownership and management of our society.

B. Organizing Principles

“Just as a proper society is ruled by laws, not by men, so a proper association is united by ideas, not by men, and its members are loyal to the ideas, not to the group. … When men are united by ideas, i.e., by explicit principles, there is no room for favors, whims, or arbitrary power: the principles serve as an objective criterion for determining actions and for judging men, whether leaders or members.” —Ayn Rand

In addition to being members and agreeing to the bylaws, the Organizers agree to undertake limited responsibilities in speaking and acting in the name of our society and for its members:

Direction
- To establish our society as an association of those who admire Ayn Rand's works and have at least a constructive interest in her philosophy of Objectivism.
- To establish minimum standards for membership and other participation.
- To establish minimum terms of agreement for all participation.
- To direct social, educational, and other activities for our society.
- To direct the finances of our society, by establishing and collecting dues, fees, and donations, by borrowing money on the credit of the society, and by paying debts of the society.
- To establish all bylaws necessary and proper to executing the foregoing and all other responsibilities of the Organizers.
Executive
To execute the management of our society.
Judicial
To judge all cases arising under our society’s constitution and bylaws.
Limits
- On Sponsoring on Behalf of Our Society and Members
  - Respecting that our association is based on admiration for Ayn Rand's works and interest in Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism, to not sponsor (i.e., organize, announce, promote, or offer for sale) anything in a manner that would materially associate our society and its members with:
    - Attacks against Ayn Rand or her works.
    - Ideas in conflict with Objectivism.
    - Behaviors against Objectivist morality.
    For our management purposes, "Objectivism" is used as a proper name for Ayn Rand's philosophical works excluding any claimed improvements or modifications, but members are not required to otherwise agree with this definition.
  - Respecting the various individual concerns of the members regarding the extent of personal associations and sanctions beyond an interest in Objectivism, to not sponsor anything in a manner that would materially associate our society and its members with:
    - Activism regarding a controversial issue among some of our members (e.g., abortion, treatment of animals, a political party, religion, the Brandens, or Kelley), but rather to address the subject directly, expertly, and thoroughly (see The Letters of Ayn Rand) (e.g., to not sponsor dove hunting, but rather a lecture by an Objectivist scholar directly on the treatment of animals).
    - An Organizer's personal judgment (e.g., in a publication for our society, always clarify one is speaking only for oneself: “I thought John wrote a good book”), unless the Organizer's judgment regards a matter necessary and proper to be judged for a purpose under our constitution and bylaws.
    - Any other organization.
    - Anything sexually explicit.
  - Independent of one’s personal views, to apply the following artificial presumptions as a margin against exceeding the limits of sponsoring in the name of our society and its members:
    - An idea is presumed to be in conflict with Ayn Rand's philosophical works.
    - A behavior is presumed to be against Objectivist morality.
    - An issue is presumed to be controversial.
    - An association is presumed to more likely be material—to matter to some of our society’s members—the more likely the subject matter would be questioned or confused for being consistent with Ayn Rand's philosophical works.
    - A proposed manner of sponsoring is presumed to materially associate our society and all its members with the subject matter.
    The standard to overcome these presumptions is clear and convincing evidence.
  - Recognizing that an Organizer's conduct may reflect on our society and its members, to maintain one’s own decorum.
- On Restricting Membership and Participation
  Recognizing that the process of identifying, judging, accepting, and upholding a new philosophy of life is a long, complicated process, to not:
  - Require a member of our society to agree with any of Ayn Rand’s works, except “on one's honor” with the “basic minimum” of good will Ayn Rand identified as a precondition of any discussion toward an intellectual Renaissance.
  - Prohibit or intimidate anyone from discussing any subject matter or activity (except for minimal restrictions against attacking our interest or of time and place), even if the subject matter or activity is otherwise not to be sponsored by or promoted to our society.
- On Finances
  Recognizing the organizational structure of our society, to not:
  - Financially obligate any member or other Organizer without his consent.
  - Provide alcohol to participants, which might create financial liability.
  - Accept anything on behalf of our society intended to be tax deductible.
- On Bylaws
  In respect for justice, to make no bylaw that cannot be objectively applied, e.g., to make no retroactive bylaw.

IV. Bylaws

A. Standards for Membership and Other Participation

“The process of identifying, judging, accepting and upholding a new philosophy of life is a long, complicated process, which requires thought, proof, full understanding and conviction. But there are two principles on which all men of intellectual integrity and good will can agree, as a ‘basic minimum,’ as a precondition of any discussion, co-operation or movement toward an intellectual Renaissance. … These two principles are: a. that emotions are not tools of cognition; b. that no man has the right to initiate the use of physical force against others.” —Ayn Rand

Membership
Our society welcomes the membership of anyone who admires Ayn Rand’s works and is constructively interested in her philosophy of Objectivism, which means at least:
- Having read The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged.
- Not being a spiritual or philosophical leader in conflict with Ayn Rand’s philosophical works.
- On one's honor, agreeing that emotions are not tools of cognition and that no man has the right to initiate the use of physical force against others.
Guests
Our society welcomes a member to bring friends, family, and children as guests to appropriate events. Guests are not expected to meet the standard for membership.
General Limitations
Notwithstanding the foregoing, our society does not welcome anyone who:
- Publishes arbitrary, gratuitous attacks against Ayn Rand, her works, or her philosophy of Objectivism.
- Attacks our society or its management by making material misrepresentations about either, tries to organize a boycott against our society, or lends material support or provides a platform for such an attack.
- Has committed any immoral act involving the initiation of force against another (e.g., assault, theft, or fraud, or breach of contract without voluntarily remediation and settlement or bankruptcy), unless: (i) the person discusses the matter with the Organizers; (ii) the Organizers believe the person is rehabilitated; (iii) if the aggrieved was another participant, he consents; and (iv) the person agrees to such conditions as the Organizers may deem prudent.

B. Terms of Agreement for Participation

“In a capitalist society, all human relationships are voluntary. Men are free to cooperate or not, to deal with one another or not, as their own individual judgments, convictions and interests dictate.” —Ayn Rand

Agreement and Amendments
All participation in our society is subject to agreement to its participation terms. Amended terms will be effective upon publishing on our society's website, subject to 30 days notice to prior participants.
Respect for Our Society
Everyone agrees to respect our society. In particular, everyone agrees to:
- Our Standards
  - Respect our standards for membership and other participation.
  - Avoid making any other welcome participant feel unwelcome.
- Our Interest
  - Avoid making arbitrary, gratuitous attacks against Ayn Rand, any of her works, or Objectivism.
  - Avoid pushing or trying to sell to our society participants any subject matter or activity in a manner that would materially associate our society and its members with: attacks against Ayn Rand or any of her works, ideas in conflict with Ayn Rand’s philosophical works, or behaviors against Objectivist morality.
- Our Purpose.
  - Avoid using our society’s name in (or trying to re-organize our society to) the promotion of any purpose, activism, or organization without the Organizer's express permission (which is always subject to withdrawal on reasonable notice).
  - Avoid competing with our society, e.g., by repeatedly inviting other members to conflicting events.
- Our Management
  Ask the Organizer regarding any subject matter or activity one may wish to promote or sell to our participants or to have during or associated with a society event.
Civility
Everyone agrees to be civil to other participants in our society.
- Less-than-civil, inflammatory conduct is marked by showing disrespect for another’s intelligence, misrepresentation of another’s position, or personal attack. Inflammatory conduct, including statements, manner, tone, and non-verbal signals directed to or regarding another participant, whether overt or by subtle implication:
  - Is not persuasive argument.
  - Thwarts any sense of cooperative inquiry for the truth.
  - Is usually a confession of intellectual impotence.
- Everyone agrees to avoid inflammatory conduct toward another participant, including, for example:
  - Rudeness, e.g., pointed refusal to acknowledge another, abruptness, contemptuousness, or talking down.
  - Argument from intimidation.
  - Ad hominem argument, including attacking an argument by attributing personal qualities to it, such as “stupid,” which really means “only a stupid person would make the argument.”
  - Damning with faint praise.
  - Misrepresentations about another of any kind, including straw-man argument.
  - Putting words in another’s mouth, including assuming another’s feelings or motivations.
  - Accusing another of intellectual dishonesty, immorality, having psychological problems, or the like without clear and convincing evidence.
- If one makes a mistake, for example, by giving offense in a discussion, upon reflection he should recognize the mistake, make such amends as may be possible, and take pride in doing this justice. Meanwhile, others agree to behave constructively and with maturity.
Website (Member Profiles, Forum, and E-Mail)
In all participation via our website, everyone agrees to conduct himself in a socially-acceptable and lawful manner. In particular, everyone agrees to avoid:
Society Events
At all our events, everyone agrees to conduct himself in a socially-acceptable, safe, and lawful manner. In particular, everyone agrees to:
Privacy and Private Communications
Everyone agrees to honor any privacy and copyright expectations that may be attached to another participant’s personal information and communications. For example, e-mail is not to be forwarded or published without the author’s permission. An exception would be to prevent or stop an immoral act involving the initiation of physical force against another (e.g., theft or fraud). Further, unless specifically requested otherwise, a communication with one Organizer may be shared with the other Organizers to help in the management of our society.
Children
Each participant agrees to be responsible for the conduct and safety of any children he brings to a society event.
Complaints
- If anyone has a complaint about another participant that interferes with his ability to enjoy participation in our society, he agrees to not retaliate or be uncivil, but rather to seek mediation or justice from the Organizers under the bylaws of the society and, if necessary to address the complaint, resort to general principles of justice.
- Children if having any conflict are expected not to retaliate, but rather to seek mediation or justice through a parent, a child supervisor, or an Organizer.
Release
Each participant agrees to bear all risks, disclosed and undisclosed, known and unknown, now and in the future, and releases our society and its Organizers from all claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, arising out of or in any way connected with his participation in our society, his transportation to or from, attendance of, or the actions of himself or others at any society event, and any Organizer's judgment of any complaint or matter.

C. Judicial Procedure

“To judge means: to evaluate a given concrete by reference to an abstract principle or standard. It is not an easy task; … It is fairly easy to grasp abstract moral principles; it can be very difficult to apply them to a given situation, particularly when it involves the moral character of another person.” —Ayn Rand

The Organizers will address any complaint and may address any matter on their own initiative.
If a matter regards the conduct between an Organizer and a participant, a different Organizer (if available) should judge.
The burden of proof is presumption of innocence (e.g., compliance with the bylaws), unless a different burden is specified.
The standard of proof is preponderance of the evidence, unless a higher standard is specified.
An opportunity to be heard will be given before taking any action against a person, unless prudence justifies a temporary action or the record speaks for itself (e.g., a publication).
Patience and warning will be used to constructively address a matter, but an egregious case may be addressed immediately.
A complaint will be addressed in private to do what justice is appropriate without needlessly embarrassing a person; however, a complaint may be addressed publicly where it involves a prominent activity or justice requires.
A complaint will result in a Judgment including:
- Citation to the bylaws.
- Findings under the bylaws.
- Action, if any, for example:
  - Warning.
  - Editing or deleting a message-board post and sending a copy of the original to the author.
  - Special terms for continued participation, for example:
    - Requiring prior approval of an Organizer to post.
    - Detailing how a person should make amends.
    - Making a judgment private, i.e., not to be published by any of those involved without the consent of all.
  - Suspension or termination of membership or guest status.
No right to reconsideration or appeal—but one may ask the Organizer.

V. Disclaimers

A. Managing Expectations

“If, in a complex moral issue, a man struggles to determine what is right, and fails or makes an honest error, he cannot be regarded as ‘gray’; morally, he is ‘white.” —Ayn Rand

Our society welcomes members who are constructively interested in Ayn Rand’s works and welcomes a member’s friends and family. One should not assume that all participants are Objectivists or personally interested in Objectivism.

Despite honest efforts, the Organizers may make an occasional management mistake. Please hold any mistake in the full context of the values offered by our society.

B. Disclaimers

The virtue of independence is “one’s acceptance of the responsibility of forming one’s own judgments and of living by the work of one’s own mind.” —Ayn Rand

The Organizers, members, participants, and sponsored speakers of our society are not necessarily Objectivists; our society includes members who are merely interested in learning about Objectivism, and it includes the participation of friends, family, and children.

The publications or other actions of any one of the Organizers, members, participants, and sponsored speakers of our society do not necessarily express or reflect the ideas of Objectivism, of our society, or of any of its other Organizers, members, participants, and speakers.