(June 7, 2012 at 5:10 pm)Brian37 Wrote: When you say "idea" people are less likely to get married to an "idea" no one should be married to an "idea". Philosophies are something people tend to get married to and worship and much harder to break them out of.
The "idea" of avoiding the word "philosophy" is to reduce dogmatism. People are more willing to question a mere idea. Far too many people have "philosophies" they demand respect for.
When you say idea, people are likely to understand that you are referring to to a single one.
When you say "ideas" people would expect many of them, but there would be no restrictions for them being connected, consistent and interdependent.
When you say philosophy, people understand that it has to be a set of consistent and connected ideas regarding specific questions.
It would seem that what Rand said about your philosophy is true after all - a bunch of ideas thrown together without regard for consistency.