Ayn Rand - Objectivism and the Virtue of Selfishness

Hector Davidson

Summary

Ayn Rand's philosophy, known as Objectivism, centers around a few key principles: 
  
Metaphysics: Rand asserts the primacy of existence. She argues that reality exists independent of our perceptions or beliefs, and that it is knowable through reason. 
  
Epistemology: She champions reason as the only means of acquiring knowledge. According to Rand, reason is the faculty that identifies and integrates the material provided by our senses. 
  
Ethics: Rand's ethical theory is based on rational self-interest or egoism. She argues that individuals should act in their own best interest, and that this is both moral and practical. The virtue of selfishness, as she terms it, means pursuing one’s own happiness as the highest moral aim. 
  
Politics: Rand advocates for laissez-faire capitalism as the ideal political system. She believes that the government’s sole role should be to protect individual rights through the police, military, and judiciary, but not to interfere in the economy or individual choices. 
  
Aesthetics: In her view, art is a reflection of an artist's values and vision of life. She supports Romantic Realism, where art is a representation of life as it could be and should be, celebrating human potential and achievement.

Duration: about 1 hour (00:50:53)
Publishing date: 2024-11-21; Unabridged; Copyright Year: — Copyright Statment: —