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, Appendix to Atlas Shrugged
Objectivism is the philosophy of rational individualism founded by Ayn Rand (1905-1982). In novels such as The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, Rand dramatized her ideal man, the producer who lives by his own effort and does not give or receive the undeserved, who honors achievement and rejects envy. Rand laid out the details of her world-view in nonfiction books such as The Virtue of Selfishness and Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal.
Objectivism holds that there is no greater moral goal than achieving happiness. But one cannot achieve happiness by wish or whim. Fundamentally, it requires rational respect for the facts of reality, including the facts about our human nature and needs. Happiness requires that one live by objective principles, including moral integrity and respect for the rights of others. Politically, Objectivists advocate laissez-faire capitalism. Under capitalism, a strictly limited government protects each person's rights to life, liberty, and property and forbids that anyone initiate force against anyone else. The heroes of Objectivism are achievers who build businesses, invent technologies, and create art and ideas, depending on their own talents and on trade with other independent people to reach their goals.
Objectivism is optimistic, holding that the universe is open to human achievement and happiness and that each person has within him the ability live a rich, fulfilling, independent life. This idealistic message suffuses Rand's novels, which continue to sell by the hundreds of thousands every year to people attracted to their inspirational storylines and distinctive ideas.
I don't get it, what's amusing?
May 2003 - "Mission Accomplished"
June 2005 - "The mission isn't easy, and it will not be accomplished overnight"
-- G W Bush, freelance writer for The Daily Show.
Rand has been an important person in Libertarian circles for decades. The politicians today are just catering to her in order to get that vote in my opinion. They have no idea what Rand's views actually are.
In a nutshell, Rand believed that people should work for their happiness. Not have the government steal it and give it away to a bunch of lazy assed junkies.
just because any person cites any other person as an influence, that doesnt mean that person has taken some sort of blood oath to faithfully enact every tenant of that person's 'manifesto'.
Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:If we lived life in our heads, her ideas sound great. Problem is she broke her first rule....
Fundamentally, it requires rational respect for the facts of reality, including the facts about our human nature and needs
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Wow, I agree with Midnyte. I've found Rand and her devout followers to be terribly idealistic (and her novels are a painfully dull lesson in redundancy).
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Voronwë wrote:just because any person cites any other person as an influence, that doesnt mean that person has taken some sort of blood oath to faithfully enact every tenant of that person's 'manifesto'.
