Founder: Ayn Rand · Critique: On the Randian Argument - Robert Nozick · Comparison: Mandeville, Rand, and Hume - Self-Interest, Virtue, and the Sources of Morality — how rational egoism differs from Mandeville’s “private vices” and Hume’s sentimentalism
Definition: Ayn Rand’s Objectivism posits that reality exists independently of consciousness, and individuals can gain objective knowledge through reason. It emphasizes rational self-interest and individual rights as moral imperatives.YouTube+2Wikipedia+2Reddit+2
Core Components:
- Metaphysics: Reality is objective and exists independently of perception.
- Epistemology: Knowledge is acquired through reason and logical analysis.Philo Notes+5Wikipedia+5Wikipedia+5
- Ethics: Rational self-interest is the moral purpose of one’s life.Wikipedia+1Reddit+1
- Politics: Advocates for laissez-faire capitalism as the ideal social system.SlidePlayer+2Wikipedia+2Helpful Professor+2
- Aesthetics: Art should reflect objective reality and human values.
Comparative Overview:
| Philosophy | Truth Basis | Moral Perspective | Key Proponent(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objectivism | Objective reality | Rational self-interest | Ayn Rand |
| Absolutism | Universal truths | Intrinsic right/wrong | Immanuel Kant |
| Relativism | Cultural/contextual | Varies with context | Franz Boas |
| Subjectivism | Individual belief | Personal preference | David Hume |
Handwritten Notebook Pages
Source
Open Objectivism notebook pages — start at notebook p. 71 (file not included in this release).