From Ilana Dover
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Re: "High Noon at Lyceum." Recent e-mail posting concerning an incident involving myself and Dr. Peikoff.
I had no intention of making this public, and I had nothing to do with the way this incident has been presented. However, I do want to set the record straight and to let those who are interested in facts, have them.
I attended Dr. Peikoff's lecture entitled "How to Be Judgmental Without Being Improperly Condemnatory" at the San Francisco Lyceum conference. I submitted a written question to Dr. Peikoff, asking him to discuss how he would apply the principles he had talked about to Objectivists who disagree with his condemnation of Dr. Kelley and support the IOS.
Dr. Peikoff did not answer written questions and on the day of his second lecture had a Q&A period during which I stood in line to ask my question but Dr. Peikoff ran out of time before my turn. I did not ask a question during the Q&A.
After this lecture Dr. Peikoff was signing books at the Values/Second Renaissance display room. I approached him and the following exchange ensued:
(This is as verbatim as I can recall at this time; I did not take notes).
Ilana: "I realize that you are not here now for answering questions, but I did not get to ask my question; will there be any other time to do so?"
Dr. Peikoff: "No, you'd better just do it now."
Ilana: "First I'd like to make a statement. (pause) I want to tell you that I've learned a lot from you over the years, and I appreciate and value what I have learned. However, I disagree with you with regard to Dr. Kelley."
Dr. Peikoff: "I have said my last word on this subject, I am not going to discuss it with you. If you do not agree (or "if you don't accept it" -- I can't recall the word he used here / I.D.) then there is such a massive evasion involved that I don't want to talk to you, I don't want to even see you, don't make a scene, just leave!"
Ilana: "OK."
I turned around and left. No, I was not smiling, smugly or otherwise. I was completely stunned and felt like I was just run over by a train. I knew I was taking a risk by making my statement before asking my question. The reason I decided to do so was because I did not want to hide behind a general question. I wanted Dr. Peikoff to know where I stand in this controversy, and that my question was of personal significance. I thought he might refuse to answer my question, but I did not expect the anger, the accusation and the condemnation. He does not have enough information about me to justify his accusation. Obviously he thinks he does.
These are the facts; now make your own judgment.
Ilana Dover