Objectivism

An Introduction to Ayn Rand’s Philosophy

The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.

Ayn Rand

Objectivism: A Philosophy

Objectivism is a philosophy that is broken down into four stages:They are: •1. Metaphysics: Objective Reality

•2. Epistemology: Reason•3. Ethics: Self-Interest•4. Politics: Capitalism

Objectivism: A Translation

• 1. People have to obey nature; you cannot have control over anything you don’t respect.

• 2. You can’t always get what you want; you have to work for it.

• 3. Basically: Give me liberty or give me death!

Tenants of the Philosophy

Reality is absolute!Facts are facts: there is no

way around facts.Men can have feelings, wishes or fears, but none

of those change the facts.

Tenants of the Philosophy

Men need to be able to think logically, to reason, in order to

understand facts. Facts are where men gain their

knowledge.Facts and facts alone should

guide men’s actions.

Tenants of the Philosophy

Man must only exist for himself. Man should not sacrifice

himself for the greater good.Man should not expect others to

sacrifice themselves for him. Man’s first purpose is to achieve

and obtain his own happiness.

Tenants of the PhilosophyIn Objectivism:The ideal political-economic system is LAISSEZ-

FAIRE capitalism. It is when man freely and voluntarily trade with

each other for mutual benefit. no physical force or extortion can be used. The government acts ONLY as a policeman that

protects man’s rights. The government should be separate from

economics; that should be left in the hands of the people.

A Philosophy of Life

• Ayn Rand developed a “philosophy of life”.

• She calls it objectivism and it basically sets up an existence by which each person sets out to achieve their own individual happiness.

The Nature of Reality

• Objectivism states that things are what they ARE, independent of what anyone wishes.

• Objectivism rejects the idea that each human has their own subjective view of reality. There is only one reality.

Knowledge

• Objectivism holds that reason is man’s one way to obtain knowledge and tool of survival.

• Knowledge is always easy to obtain.

• There is no idea of faith or intuition in objectivism.

• Truth is NOT relative. It is an absolute fact.

Human Nature

• Individuals have free will, and are independent.

• However, they have to use reason to justify their actions.

• Individuals thoughts/behaviors are NOT the result of factors that are beyond their control.

Ethical Standards

• Ethics are based on facts.• Morals are only in place to further

man’s survival. • Ethics ARE NOT a matter of

opinion.

Morality

• Every individual should live only for himself.

• There is no Greater Good in objectivism.

• Each individual should be “selfish”, should live by his own mind and for his own happiness.

• Moral worth is NOT determined by altruistic service to society, the nation, religion, etc.

Politics

• Capitalism only! • The government’s sole job is to

protect each individual’s right to live his life.

• Government should not exist to:– Work toward the common good or– Work toward the will of the majority.

• Government only maintains order.

In order to live, man must act; in order to act, he must make choices; in order to make choices, he must define a code of values, he must know what he is and where he is and the nature of the universe in which he acts—he needs metaphysics, epistemology, & ethics, which means: philosophy. He cannot escape from this need; his only alternative is whether the philosophy guiding him is to be chosen by his mind or by chance.

Ayn Rand