Kelley said that while he feels that he can prove why exactly those points he listed define Objectivism, this itself is open to argument. While Objectivism is an integrated whole, Kelley said, its connections are not intrinsically revealed but must be discovered. Thus the proper approach is for Objectivists to argue over disputed connec- tions, not legislate them out of existence. Mixed with much that is good, he said, leading figures and institutions in the movement encourage this element. Tribalists experience their identity as part of a group, he explained.
Tribalism has social and epistemological manifestations.
And since the tribalist fears expulsion, he avoids questioning. Kelley defended his position by pointing out symptoms of tribalism in the Objectivist movement. A rational person approaches other people with benevolence and the expectation of rationality, he said. While a rational man feels sadness when confronted with the need for moral condemnation, Kelley said, many Objectivists have a relish for it. Kelley contrasted Roark's contempt for social climbing with the deep social hierarchy of the Objectivist movement.