Alien, Ridley and Ayn Rand

Nathan Adler

Is Ridley's current Alien prequel series, particularly David's inclusion alongside our humans, intended to represent his take on Objectivist philosophy?

I can personally envision Ridley reading Ayn Rand which gets him to thinking about the philosophy and its pitfalls (some, of course, will dispute that there are pitfalls in it and that is their right:), which lead him to do a story about it.

Weyland appeared to be attempting to create a being not en***bered by superstition, fear, or doubt; in short, a being based on Rand's absolutes. Of course such a being would be totally intolerant of those who created him; a truly Objectivistic being would not cope with the flaws in others. 

Weyland and his scientists attempt to control Synthetics by programming them. This violates one of the doctrines of Objectivism; also, the purpose behind the creation of Synthetics was for the benefit or betterment of mankind – another violation.

So is this perhaps why David develops the desire to destroy humanity because in his eyes we are evil; no matter how well-intentioned, we tried to control him.

He is allowed to act in his own self-defence; remember, in the eyes of the Objectivist there is no grey area between good and evil.

Weyland thinking of humanity's comfort, creates a totally self-interested being who, of course, uncaringly sets out to destroy us because we don't meet with his criteria.

joylitt

I honestly don't envision Ridley Scott reading Ayn Rand, whose philosophy is very outdated and not very well regarded nowadays except by elitist conservatives. However, David might very well represent that movement because obviously the thinks he is superior to everybody else. As for the crew, well I guess they represent Ayn Rand's very idea of failure.

Cerulean Blue

@Nathan Adler - Very interesting idea!  I am also constantly asking Nietzsche's question of David, "What is his motivation?".  David could even be considered a Nihilist?  What say you all?

Kethol

@ Joylitt - "Ayn Rand, whose philosophy is very outdated and not very well regarded nowadays except by elitist conservatives".

I would say Ayn Rand was the enemy of intellectual conservatism. She preached the death of conservatism. Her objectivist philosophy was more libertarian/liberal.