Objectivism
The philosophy of Ayn Rand
© Leonard Peikoff, photograph by Talbot
“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
“Introducing Objectivism” by Ayn Rand
This video provides a clear introduction to Objectivism, the philosophy developed by Ayn Rand. Rand outlines the core principles of her worldview: reason as man’s fundamental means of knowledge, rational self-interest as the proper moral purpose of life, and individual rights as the foundation of a free society. It offers an accessible starting point for anyone seeking to understand the ideas underlying her novels and her philosophical system.
The Essentials
Ayn Rand was once famously asked to summarise her philosophy while standing on one foot. She embraced the challenge and replied swiftly:
“Metaphysics: objective reality. Epistemology: reason. Ethics: self-interest. Politics: capitalism.”
Photo: © Leonard Peikoff, photograph by Phyllis Cerf
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Reality is an objective absolute that exists independently of anyone’s consciousness. Everything that exists has a definite identity and is a part of this reality. There is no “other” reality, universe or dimension outside of existence. All entities act in accordance with their nature. A thing cannot act against its nature (this would require it to be not what it is, which would be a contradiction).
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Our means of perception are inerrant and function automatically, supplying the raw material from which we form all our knowledge. Reason - “the faculty which identifies and integrates the material provided by man’s senses” - does not function automatically and must be directed by choice and in a state of focus. If one chooses to think and follows an objective method of cognition, one may achieve conceptual knowledge. Only individual minds can think - there are no collective brains. The purpose of knowledge is ultimately the advancement of one’s own life.
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The objective requirements of every individual’s life are the source - and the standard - of all their values.
Values do not exist apart from individuals; values do not come from any mystical source, such as God, nor from any social source, such as society.
Objectivism advocates egoism - the view that each individual should be the moral beneficiary of his/her own actions. Altruism (self-sacrifice to others) is evil.
Objectivism recognises that what is, in fact, to one’s own benefit can only be determined by reason - and not by fear, revelation, or emotional whim.
Rand defined “happiness” as “the state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of values.”
The achievement of one’s own happiness is the highest moral purpose of one’s life.
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Capitalism is “the political-economic system based on the recognition of individual rights”. Unlike all other systems, capitalism protects individual rights by banning the initiation of force from all human relations. Under capitalism, each individual is free to act on the judgement of his/her own mind to produce values. One trades with others, who produce different values, by voluntary consent and to mutual benefit.
Ayn Rand on Altruism
“Altruism holds that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that service to others is the only moral justification of his existence, and that self-sacrifice is his highest moral duty, virtue and value.”
Podcast with Dr. Nikos Sotirakopoulos: Marxism, Soviet History, The New Left & Environmentalism
Dr. Sotirakopoulos received his PhD in political sociology from University of Kent in the UK, and taught in UK universities for 10 years. He is currently teaching a course on the history and philosophy of fascism at the Ayn Rand Institute. He has written two books: "The Rise of Lifestyle Activism: from New Left to Occupy", and "Identity Politics and Tribalism: the New Culture Wars."
Podcast with Dr. Harry Binswanger: Perception, Concept-Formation, Volition and Objectivism
Dr. Binswanger received his PhD in philosophy from Columbia University in 1973 and has taught philosophy at Hunter College, the New School for Social Research and the University of Texas, Austin. He was a friend and close associate of Ayn Rand’s until her death in 1982. Dr. Binswanger's published works include “The Biological Basis of Teleological Concepts”, “The Ayn Rand Lexicon”, and the expanded second edition of “Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology”. Recently, he has produced further work in the philosophy of mathematics.