"To
know one's own desires, their meaning and their costs requires the highest
human virtue: rationality." - Ayn Rand (1905 - 1982)
What is Objectivism?
Objectivism
is a philosophy created by Ayn Rand. In Ayn Rand's own words, "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."
The two main themes of the philosophy of Objectivism is the belief
in individualism over collectivism, and selfishness over altruism.
Below is an outline of the philosophy:
......
Reality exists independent of man's consciousness. It is an objective
absolute.
......
A is A (facts are facts - "man's consciousness is to pervceive
reality, not to create or invent it." [1]
......
Through reason man can know the facts of reality.
......
There is a focus on free-will.
......
Reason is man's only means of knowledge and his basic needs of survival.
Man is a rational being.
......
Reason is man's only proper judge of values and his only proper guide
to action." [2]
......
"Man...is an end in himself, not a means to the ends of others;
he must live for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others
..........nor
sacrificing others to himself." [3]
......
"No man or group has a right to initiate the use of physical
force against others." [4]
......
Belief in a laissez-faire capitalistic economic system.
......
A rejection of any form of altruism.
......
A rejection of collectivism.
Much of the above outline can be understood in greater detail by reading
the works of Ayn Rand. However, the Ayn Rand Institute hosts a section
on their site titled Essentials
of Objectivism which will give more information, especially on
those items listed above. Direct quotes [1, 2, 3, 4] were obtained
from the Essentials of Objectivism webpage.
Another content rich site that is dedicated to Objectivism is the
Objectivist Center. (Link can be found below). The Objectivist Center
hosts a section that explains the fundamentals of Objectivism in great
detail. This page is "What
is Objectivism?"
Reality exists independent of man's consciousness. It is an objective
absolute.
