Spock of Star Trek fame, which is unfortunate, given that the good Doctor was an alien. But there is, as always when dealing with Miss Rand, another side to the story. As much as professional philosophers ridicule her as being a crackpot--and there are, admittedly, some howlers in there--for most people who, frankly, themselves would consider most professional philosophers to be crackpots there is a great deal of practical appeal in Objectivism, and for good reason: as Miss Rand so succinctly puts it, Objectivism is a philosophy "for living life here on Earth".
There is very little angels-on-pinheads speculation here, very little that is off the point. Her focus is always concentrated on the here and now, the reality of living as experienced by individuals every day, and as such there is a great deal of utility in reading her work. To adopt her philosophy wholly is, ironically enough, to abdicate one's individuality, since she always insisted that her philosophy was "perfect" and had to be accepted in its entirety, exactly as she promulgated it.
If you're wondering whether or not there is a high degree of cult-like devotion in the Randian world, the answer is yes. But if one is willing to think for oneself there is value in reading her work, and The Virtue of Selfishness is a good place to start. Jan 14, T rated it did not like it. My advice would be to spend your time on a more useful endeavour Sep 27, Lisa Harmonybites rated it it was amazing.
Ayn Rand was once asked if she could present the essence of her philosophy while standing on one foot. I first encountered Ayn Rand through her works of fiction as a young woman barely out of my teens. Back then I was already an atheist, one with a great belief in science and reason.
There was nothing in her "metaphysics" or "epistemology" that I found the least bit surprising or cont Ayn Rand was once asked if she could present the essence of her philosophy while standing on one foot.
There was nothing in her "metaphysics" or "epistemology" that I found the least bit surprising or controversial--indeed in essentials I already agreed with her. Her ethics and her politics were a different story. I remember reading Atlas Shrugged and thinking "you crazy bitch.
Do I agree with everything within these pages? Well, let's say there is still much of it where I have doubts, and where I feel uneasy about her tone if nothing else. She wrote in the book: I hear once in a while: 'Why do you use the word selfishness to denote virtuous qualities of character, when that word antagonizes so many people to whom it does not mean the things you mean'?
To those who ask it, my answer is: 'For the reason that makes you afraid of it' That's rather a slap at the reader and her opponents. Yet having read her books, even without her elaborating, I knew what she meant. Or thought I did. That people do fear selfishness as an ideal.
Make no mistake--this is a demanding ethic. It requires integrity, to never fake reality. To never let your weakness stand as a plea for the unearned. It doesn't allow you to cover up a lack of self-worth by being subsumed by being part of a "greater" whole. At the same time--and this is more a matter of tone than substance--I do think Rand undervalues benevolence, kindness, generosity. I found I liked better Spinoza's formulation of the question of ethics.
Spinoza, like Aristotle and Rand , emphasizes that ethics is about human flourishing and happiness. But you know, were it not for Rand bringing philosophy alive to me and convincing me it's important I would never have read Aristotle--or Spinoza. Jul 13, Shea Ivy rated it it was ok.
I could write an entire dissertation on the inconsistencies of Rand's philosophy and the arguments she makes, but I'll behave and limit myself to just one criticism: she flagrantly disregards the meaning of the term "ethics" and argues that a purely "selfish" approach i.
The first part of her argument does make sense if you boil rationality down to a purely biologica I could write an entire dissertation on the inconsistencies of Rand's philosophy and the arguments she makes, but I'll behave and limit myself to just one criticism: she flagrantly disregards the meaning of the term "ethics" and argues that a purely "selfish" approach i.
The first part of her argument does make sense if you boil rationality down to a purely biological need to survive and function in this world. However, the latter part of her argument makes no sense and she makes relatively little effort to explain or justify her assertion. Instead, she chooses to assert over and over again the power of the individual and his or her rationality as supreme, and she develops the phrase "ethical egoism" in order to navigate around some obvious problems with her assertion.
If one is unconcerned with the meaning of words and how they function, then they will have little problem converting into a "Randian". However, if one is like me and remembers what my buddy Ludwig Wittgenstein talked about in his linguistic philosophy, it's pretty much impossible to overlook how Rand essentially makes up new definitions for terms whenever it is convenient. View all 3 comments. Mar 21, notgettingenough rated it did not like it Shelves: sociology.
The star's for this: she writes a novel and then quotes one of the characters at length in this book. What chutzpah. It's even better than the academics who cite things they haven't written yet.
Why have I picked it up? I'm sleeping badly. It made me closely examine what's in the bookshelf in the room in which I am generally living at the moment.
Oh yes. I see what's happened. Many years ago when I first moved into this house, I very sensibly put all the philosophy out in the spare bedroom where no The star's for this: she writes a novel and then quotes one of the characters at length in this book. Many years ago when I first moved into this house, I very sensibly put all the philosophy out in the spare bedroom where nobody would ever have to look at it.
Robert Audrey yes, even worse, there is anthropology. There's Voltaire and Jung and Freud. There's Jerry Rubin, books on Jesus and books on drug communes. You get the drift. Of course, guests would have to live with it, but at the very least it would ensure that they moved on at a decent pace. Little did I know it would be my place of residence later on.
Major reorganisation of bookshelves to take place. Things to dream by. Jun 30, Stephen rated it really liked it Shelves: philosophy , objectivism. The essential lesson there, the importance of honoring our inner being — our Self — is one we remind ourselves of frequently.
It is in that vein that The Virtue of Selfishness puts forth a case for living in the honest pursuit of rational self-interest. Her ideas were far more substantial than expected; so too this title, which serves as a general introduction to Objectivism as a whole. She begins by establishing the importance of philosophy — particularly, epistemology and ethics, or how we come to find out what is true, and how we use it to guide our actions. Ethics, she argues, is not an artifact of human civilization, a code of behavior to keep unruly bipeds in crowded conditions from destroying one another, but the very genesis of progress.
An individual can think, conclude, and act. Rand therefore bases her worldview on the smallest concrete subject possible: the Individual. Other people do not justify your existence, Rand writes; there is no lasting meaning in identification with tribes, no reliability in following their whims.
From here, Rand surveys the health of the Individual in the midth century and finds it in very poor health indeed, nearly as oppressed by traditionalism, authority, and irrationality then as it was in previous dark ages.
As belief in the old gods faded, the new god of the State and its collective lifeblood, The Nation, took the stage — and the new gods were far more potent than the old, coopting the tools of progress to serve instead the cause of decay.
The Universities, too, having once been beacons of light allowing for the conquest of darkness, had fallen prey to postmodern confusion — and turned against the individual, especially the free exchange of economic energy between people that allowed the west to eclipse its own productivity decade after decade. Far from catering to the worst of the human spirit, self-indulgence, Rand calls the Self forth to battle, summoning the best in us. Her Virtue demands the best from us — sharp thinking, hard work, constant self-evaluation.
She is shocking, but throws a cold and clear light on the world and I find that perspective illuminating despite its shadows.
View 1 comment. Jan 14, Gregg Bell rated it liked it. There a Ayn Rand is an event. Witness this passage: "Every achievement of man is a value in itself, but it is also a stepping-stone to greater achievements and values. Jun 14, Robert rated it it was amazing. The title of the book is slightly misleading as most people have no true philosophical understanding of what is "selfishness", immediately thinking of the irrational blanket understanding of individuals acting in grotesque mockery of true self interest, often harming themselves in the process.
Her contention is that such people are not selfish enough, for if they were truly selfish, they would have their true self-interest at heart and are therefor acting irrationally and not selfish at all.
Thi The title of the book is slightly misleading as most people have no true philosophical understanding of what is "selfishness", immediately thinking of the irrational blanket understanding of individuals acting in grotesque mockery of true self interest, often harming themselves in the process. Think instead for the title of this book: "The virtue of rational self-interest" and you will understand it better. This means The ability to choose voluntary cooperation from a rational appraisal of value, along with its opposite or the freedom to not associate with people we do not value.
This is the freedom of contract, and the Non-aggression principle coupled with a theory of value based judgment with your own life as the basis for that value. If you start with an end goal of a successful and rationally fulfilled life as the standard of your values, you will not seek anything which is not value, and therefor you will not seek those things which are irrational or conducive to your end goal.
Rand explains the self defeating impossible contradiction inherent within all systems of ethics which start with Altruism, and how such philosophies contributed and continue to create the worst atrocities the world has ever witnessed, and that because the basis of their values is the irrational, they create impossible contradictions and seek to gain fulfillment by destruction.
She explains that all men who seek to practice any form of altruism are walking time-bombs of emotional psychologically scarred and repressed schisms and how this ultimately irrational goal destroys the people who attempt it, dragging society along with them.
Nov 16, Christopher rated it it was amazing. This book by novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand, author of "Atlas Shrugged" and "The Fountainhead" is an ethical treatise on her philosophy of Objectivism, which sets out the principles of rational egoism—selfishness—and is the answer to thousands of years of the ethics of self-sacrifice—altruism.
Or, to quote Miss Rand: This book by novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand, author of "Atlas Shrugged" and "The Fountainhead" is an ethical treatise on her philosophy of Objectivism, which sets out the principles of rational egoism—selfishness—and is the answer to thousands of years of the ethics of self-sacrifice—altruism. Or, to quote Miss Rand: "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.
Apr 28, Anshu rated it it was amazing Shelves: philosophy. Recently Right to Education was enacted and intellectuals hailed it as a major success of Indian democracy. As the Indian Govt paves the way for Right to Food Act, I see that there is an increasing need for more people to read this book and realise what they are witnessing is not the victory of Indian democracy over poverty and hunger, a victory of the principles of modern day altruism, the success of government over economic ills.
What we are seeing is the constant abdication of private rights t Recently Right to Education was enacted and intellectuals hailed it as a major success of Indian democracy. What we are seeing is the constant abdication of private rights to the ruling minority.
What we are witnessing is constant flouting of the only two rights that any citizen must have - Right to private property, and right to free trade. India is trudging downhill with increasing economic regulation and moral depravity. And yet our unfocused collective eyes see only perceived success. A must read for those who are young and conscientious. Jun 13, Isaac V rated it it was amazing Shelves: round-2 , favorites , austrian-econ. I felt it necessary to define etc, not because I think other people don't understand what it means, but rather to emphasize that I believe this seemingly unrelated list of events in my life are fundamentally related.
The fundamental belief that relates them is that We matters more than me, or you, or I, or any rational conscious sensible individual with a single solitary soul. Plural's vs Singular's. As if We's weren't made up of Me's? AssszzZZzzZZzz efff! Plural's weren't made up of Singular's?
The truth is they aren't, there is no unity of units in this community just commies , and there are no unique beautiful snowflakes in Project Mayhem, because the very moment that Me dedicates his life to WE Me dies. And that death would be a romanticized Fight-Club'esque typa death. Something like:"In project mayhem we have no names but in death we do Now I implore you to read this book and never give up your soul. Alexander K Tbh your review was too crazy to read.
Aug 07, Marlenecabada rated it it was amazing. I found this book to be worth reading. After twenty one years of sacrificing my life and raising two arrogant teenagers who remain ungrateful for my efforts.
I understand what Rand is trying to say. We cant always do all the giving because we will end up spent with nothing to show for it. We must nurture ourselves always, in this way we will have inner strength and the ability to get through life regardless what may come our way. I disagree that her philosophy is founded on a Dr. Spok mentality. Her I found this book to be worth reading. Her philosophy, while seeming extremely logical does have many valid points. The principle that "One must never fail to pronounce moral judgement" is one that requires our intellectual as well as emotional ability to be able to discern what exactly we perceive as being right or wrong, and someone who is exercising this ability is to my understanding,very much in touch with their emotions,but I can understand why a lot of people would want to take her philosophy in small doses.
Our American society is based on a degree of selflessness. Marked by many revolutions,however were not the founding fathers practicing Rand's philosophy when making a moral judgement by fighting for our rights to freedom from the Opressive British Crown? Were they biting the hand that fed them and being ungrateful? I suppose you can say that they were purely selfish in believing that they were worthy enough to have human rights. That is why we are a great nation.
Rand's "Virtue of Selfishness" seems to ring true in many respects for me. Mar 17, Onslow rated it it was amazing. Want a good laugh? You will notice the vast majority of "critiques" are filled with such witticisms as "If anything written by Ayn Rand means a lot to you and you're not going through adolescence you should be ashamed of yourself. This book is a must read for anyone with an open mind who has the mental capacity to understand that "selfishness" doesn't necessarily just mean "I've got mine and screw everyone else".
Apr 04, Ericka Clou rated it did not like it Shelves: read-nonfiction , essays , read-female , ethics , consciousness , social-science , america , own-female , philosophy , book-club-dad. Note: Objectivism is deeply anti-Christianity, and anti-religion in general. You should not trust a politician that claims that he is both a Christian and a believer in the philosophies of Ayn Rand.
He does not understand either Christianity or Objectivism, or possibly both, or he's a huge liar. That said, this book isn't really what it sounds like. It's a collection of essays by Ayn Rand and Nathanial Branden that are not pro-heathenism per se. Rand and Branden try to explain how the philosophy Note: Objectivism is deeply anti-Christianity, and anti-religion in general. Rand and Branden try to explain how the philosophy of objectivism is that individuals need to think through their own rational system of morals and ethics.
That's a good start. The problem is that a lot of the points in Rand's essays are either not logically sound or based on incorrect premises. And I was pretty bored by Branden's sycophantic essays. It's like swimming through mud. For one thing, Rand refers a great deal to biological examples, and she repeatedly gets biology wrong. Obviously, she's not a biological scientist, and we know more today about biology than in the s, but she premises her ethics arguments on the natural world- and her basis is incorrect.
She believes that living creatures are driven primarily by continuing to live- that life and the avoidance of pain is the fundamental value of the natural world. That's only sort of true. The natural world is more driven by reproduction which means that animals regularly act on behalf of other related animals. Even on a cellular level there's the theory now that mitochondria used to be a separate free-living organism that combined with other organisms endosymbiosis theory. Her idea that humans are emotionally and ethically tabula rasa when they are born isn't scientifically supported either.
These are just a few examples, she gets a number of her points about science and animals either factually wrong or logically wrong. It reminds me of the absurd co-opting of evolutionary principals for political "Social Darwinism" nonsense. As for her logical failures, though I'm sure that some American Republicans agree with her she makes no rational distinction between armed robbery, confiscation of all your property in a communist system, and taxation.
She makes no distinction between altruism generally and complete self-sacrifice. Her views on love collapse into such total nonsense that arguing against them would require an entire treatise. She also incorrectly predicted many of the results of capitalism so this makes her arguments for unhindered capitalism look obviously foolish. I do appreciate her condemnation of people's failure to engage in the pursuit of knowledge and reason.
I also enjoyed her condemnation of communism. Mar 10, Mark Gowan rated it really liked it. Ayn Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, is often misinterpreted and misused, without ever being studied or even read. Often, the argument is that 'capitalism' has failed, and therefore Rand's philosophy is a failure as well. This is a strawman argument at best. The Virtue of Selfishness, as provocative a title as the book may have, is a philosophical synopsis of the application of Rand's philosophy, objectivism; it is not Rand's philosophy in itself.
Those that have read Rand know that her writing st Ayn Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, is often misinterpreted and misused, without ever being studied or even read. Those that have read Rand know that her writing style is straight-forward, holding no bars against those that she disagrees with while at the same time providing valid arguments in a clear and concise manner.
The virtue of selfishness, to clarify, is the proposition that altruistic behaviors promote individual slavery to the masses, and that such slavery undercuts any social, intellectual or individual progress.
For this reason, Rand is sometimes deemed a 'conservative', which is far from the truth. I would recommend this book, but with the suggestion that one read "Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology" first.
Unlike inanimate matter, life is goal seeking. Its end is survival, and the means to that end is to secure energy so that it can live. Each kind of life is structured differently in how it survives. Plants are stationary absorbers of energy.
Animals are mobile seekers of energy. Both function physiologically in an autonomous manner. Unlike other life forms, humans are not governed by automatic structures. We are born tabula rasa. Other than the urge to survive as goal-seeking beings, we are free to choose how that will be done. For Rand, survival is the end and reason is its means. Reason guides how we should conduct ourselves. This is what she calls objectivist ethics, which she contrasts with mystical a god-like figure tells us what to do and subjectivist relativist, i.
With survival as the standard for all humans, she makes three key deductions: Our task is to be productive in going about the rational business of survival ; to resist constraints on our freedom; and to oppose all attempts by others to take outright what is not theirs.
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Inspired by Your Browsing History. For the New Intellectual. The Return of the Primitive. Leonard Peikoff. Gordon Marino. Lee McIntyre. Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology. Robert Pirsig. Soren Kierkegaard. The Gay Science. Friedrich Nietzsche. Basic Writings of Nietzsche. Critical Thinking. Jonathan Haber. The Rebel. Albert Camus.
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