Objectivism (philosophical system)
Objectivism is a philosophical and political system founded by Russian American writer Ayn Rand in the 20th century, primarily articulated through her novels *The Fountainhead* and *Atlas Shrugged*. Rand's philosophy centers on the belief that reality exists independent of consciousness, and that knowledge and values are objective, grounded in reason and reality. The core tenets of Objectivism include the emphasis on individual happiness as the moral purpose of life and the notion of rational self-interest, which advocates for individuals to pursue their own happiness and well-being.
Rand's ideas are underpinned by three axioms: existence, consciousness, and identity, asserting that existence is an absolute and must be acknowledged for rational thought and action. She argued against altruism, positing that living for others contradicts the principles of self-interest inherent in Objectivism. While Objectivism has faced skepticism in academic circles, it has significantly influenced libertarian and conservative movements in the United States, particularly regarding notions of limited government and personal freedom.
The philosophy remains relevant today, especially among younger individuals who resonate with its idealistic approach. Influential figures like Leonard Peikoff and Yaron Brook continue to promote Objectivist ideas through the Ayn Rand Institute, fostering discussions around its application in modern society.
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Objectivism (philosophical system)
Objectivism is a philosophical and political set of ideas that were developed by the Russian American writer, author and philosopher, Ayn Rand (1905–82). Rand first wrote about Objectivist ideas in her fictional works, mostly notably in The Fountainhead (1943) and Atlas Shrugged (1957). Rand later clarified her philosophy in nonfiction essays and books that included For the New Intellectual: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand (1961), America’s Persecuted Minority: Big Business (1962), and The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism (1964).
Although Rand’s philosophy was rife with certain contradictions, she appointed as her intellectual and legal heir, Canadian American Leonard Peikoff. Peikoff is a former professor of philosophy and founder of the Ayn Rand Institute who has worked to give Objectivist ideas a more formal structure than Rand was able to during her life. However, Peikoff believes that Objectivism works better as a closed system that is intolerant, rigid, and narrow-minded of notions or applications that do not directly pertain or add to the system that Rand developed. Peikoff and the Objectivist movement are not interested in updating the Objectivist philosophical and political ideals because there is nothing essential or new that can be added to Rand’s ideals.
Background
As a result of both Rand and Peikoff’s handling of Objectivist thought, many academics and academic philosophers refuse to acknowledge Objectivism as a legitimate philosophy and have rejected the notion that it be taught in academic settings. Objectivism has become very influential, however, among many US libertarians and conservatives who have carried on the Objectivist movement in order to spread the ideals and teachings of Ayn Rand.
Rand originally brought forth Objectivism as a coherent philosophy in her book Atlas Shrugged. In it she outlines her thoughts on and explanation of the philosophy: "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." Rand expanded upon these ideas in later works and in the Objectivist Newsletter and explained that the name "Objectivism" came about given her belief that all knowledge and values are objective and are not based on an individual’s thoughts but are grounded in reality and identity.
Ayn Rand’s Objectivist philosophy relies on three axioms, or self-evident ideas, that must be accepted in order for the philosophy to be effective. These ideas are existence, consciousness, and identity. Rand began with existence, believing that "existence is identity." She expounded on this by putting forth the idea that "that which has no nature or attributes does not and cannot exist." Rand defined Objectivist existence as being fundamentally separated from anything transcendental, sublime, or divine and based it only on what she believed to be objective truth. Rand tied the idea of consciousness into both identity and existence, stating that "to be conscious is to be conscious of something." Rand elaborated further by explaining that existence has a mandate over consciousness and that consciousness needs to conform to both existence and identity in order for an individual to be a rational being.
Aside from its metaphysical axioms, Objectivism is chiefly concerned with ethics in modern society. This is manifested in the idea of rational self-interest, meaning that there is no greater goal than achieving happiness within yourself. In rational self-interest, the primary focus of an individual’s free will is in the choices made, and the first choice one must make is either to think or not to think.
According to Rand, "Thinking is not an automatic function. In any hour and issue of his life, man is free to think or to evade that effort. Thinking requires a state of full, focused awareness. . . . Man can focus his mind to a full, active, purposefully directed awareness of reality—or he can unfocus it and let himself drift in a semiconscious daze."
With this in mind, it is important to note that rational self-interest requires a certain moral integrity and optimism, both in an individual’s character and in dealing with other personalities and in business. This also requires a belief in limited government and laissez-faire leadership, where the government’s only role is to protect life, liberty, and property, and to forbid the use of force against others. Otherwise, Objectivism argues, people are free to do what they choose and should produce and pursue whatever works in their rational self-interest.
The only place where rational self-interest does not apply to Objectivism is in undertaking altruistic tasks. According to Rand, the idea of living for the sake of others is fundamentally misaligned with the ideals of Objectivism and is thus not compatible with it.
Objectivism today is not as prominent as it was when Rand was alive and publishing. However, it still greatly influences modern American politics, especially the politics of libertarians and conservatives. Most of Rand’s work on Objectivism has appeared in nonacademic, non-peer-reviewed journals, which is a reason why Objectivism is not taught in academic settings. Practitioners of Objectivistic philosophy tend to be younger due to the idealistic nature of the philosophy. Rand’s former protégé Nathaniel Branden referenced Objectivism as having an "especially powerful appeal to the young." Onkar Ghate of the Ayn Rand Institute agrees and has stated that Objectivism "appeals to the idealism of youth."
Bibliography
Badhwar, Neera K. "Is Virtue Only a Means to Happiness? An Analysis of Virtue and Happiness in Ayn Rand’s Writings." Objectivist Studies. William Thomas, ed. Washington: Atlas Society, 2010. Print.
Biddle, Craig. "What Is Objectivism?" Objective Standard. Objective Standard, 2016. Web. 31 July 2016.
Gobry, Pascal-Emmanuel. "I Hate Ayn Rand—But Here’s Why My Fellow Conservatives Love Her." Week. Week Publications and Felix Dennis, 23 June 2014. Web. 31 July 2015.
Peikoff, Leonard. "Fact and Value." ARI. Ayn Rand Institute (ARI), 18 May 1989. Web. 31 July 2016.
Thomas, William R. "What Is Objectivism?" Atlas Society. Atlas Society, 14 June 2010. Web. 31 July 2016.