subscribe or He is the author of Loving Life: The Morality of Self-Interest and the Facts that Support It; Rational Egoism: The Morality for Human Flourishing; and the forthcoming Moral Truths Your Parents, Preachers, and Teachers Don’t Want You to Know. Why sacrifice at all? This enables people to examine the idea as a physical reality and thus to better understand what it means in practice. Liberty cannot even be defined, let alone defended, apart from answers to questions such as: What is the nature of reality? Reality is not created or controlled by consciousness. If accepted and practiced consistently, it leads to a life of happiness. Hedonism, in other words, under the guise of self-interest, counsels self-destruction. Nature is not evidence for the existence of “super-nature.” There is no evidence for the existence of a “supernatural” being; there are only books, traditions, and people that say he exists. If he gives up a value for no gain whatsoever, he is being moral; if he gains something from an action, he is not being moral. Evidence-free assertions, appeals to tradition, and appeals to authority are not rational arguments; they are textbook logical fallacies. The destroyer is the morality of altruism. Objectivism and Education: A Response to David Elkind’s ‘The Problem with Constructivism’ by Jamin Carson Abstract This paper responds to David Elkind’s article “The Problem with Constructivism,” published in the Summer 2004 issue of The Educa-tional Forum . A lead atom is a lead atom, no matter how many quantum behaviors or properties it displays at the moment. In the entire history of philosophy, the number of rational answers to this question is exactly zero. In the realm of politics, Objectivism recognizes that in order to take life-promoting action, a person must be free to do so; he must be free to act on the judgment of his mind, his basic means of living. The distinction between applied and theoretical objectivism is not Ayn Rand's. The absolutist believes that there are non-over rideable moral principles that one out to never violate. The sole purpose of the government in such a system is to protect the individual rights of its citizens by means of the police (to deal with domestic criminals), the military (to deal with foreign aggressors), and the courts of law (to adjudicate disputes). What is man’s means of knowledge? That is, I take it to be a very good book to read about Objectivism as a whole. No other social system on earth does this. Moreover, such claims flatly contradict the demonstrable fact that rational thought, productive achievement, genuine (earned) self-esteem, and certainty of one’s moral worth are requirements of happiness. Egoism upholds the principle of non-sacrifice—the idea that one should never surrender a greater value for the sake of a lesser value. The essay was later anthologized in The Voice of Reason: Essays in Objectivist Thought (1989) and The Ayn Rand Column (1991 and 1998). The practical significance of this point is that if people want to achieve their goals—such as gaining knowledge, amassing wealth, achieving happiness, establishing and maintaining liberty—they must recognize and embrace the nature of reality. login, Objectivism holds that the purpose of morality is to provide people with principled guidance for living and achieving happiness on earth. Metaphysics is the study of existence (also known as Ontology) as well as the basic 'substances' which make it up (also known as Cosmology). What is the nature of the good? Reason is the means by which everyone learns about the world, himself, and his needs. Morally, Objectivism advocates the virtues of rational self-interest—virtues such as independent thinking, productiveness, justice, honesty, and self-responsibility. And, like everything man-made, it is properly judged as good or bad by the standard of the requirements of human life on earth. Basically, if you think positively, positive things will come your way - at least they're more likely to, anyway. The assertions of predators to the effect that they can achieve happiness by sacrificing others are just that: assertions. I recommend this to those who may not yet know what they believe in. Insofar as a person chooses to use reason, he is able to identify and pursue the things he needs for survival and happiness—things such as knowledge, food, shelter, medical care, art, recreation, romance, and freedom. A volunteer social worker who gives away his time and effort for nothing at all is thereby being immoral. My philosophy, Objectivism, holds that: 1. — and how the answers to these questions give rise to an ethics of rational self-interest. Thus, Objectivism rejects the idea that art is whatever any self-proclaimed or allegedly “accomplished” artist happens to slap together or place in a gallery. The political expression of altruism is collectivism or statism, which holds that man’s life and work belong to the state — to society, to the group, the gang, the race, the nation — and that the state may dispose of him in any way it pleases for the sake of whatever it deems to be its own tribal, collective good. In order to have a better idea of the subject at hand, it is best to begin with the following: what is reality? Some cultures maintain that the earth is flat, that slavery is good, and that women are mentally inferior to men. Such beliefs do not alter the nature of what is; they contradict it; they are false. Human sensory perception gives direct true knowledgeof objective reality 3. Reality is not to be rewritten or escaped, but, solemnly and proudly, faced." Ayn Rand® is a registered trademark and is used by permission. Justice VS Mercy. Egoism is good for one’s life. But one cannot achieve happiness by wish or whim. Given the many values on which human life and happiness depend—from material values, such as food, shelter, clothing, medical care, automobiles, and computers, to spiritual values, such as knowledge, self-esteem, art, friendship, romantic love, and liberty—people need a great deal of guidance in making choices and taking actions. Objectivism. They are not based on evidence (a criminal’s makeshift smile and stolen money are not evidence of his happiness). Objectivism also rejects the idea that man has no nature at all (i.e., the twisted, modern interpretation of man as a “blank slate”), making his character the consequence of social forces, such as upbringing or economic conditions. Thus, if man’s life is the standard of moral value, capitalism is the only moral social system. 2. This is how scientists discover facts in their various fields, from the principles of agriculture to the existence of atoms to the structure of DNA; it is how inventors and engineers design life-enhancing machines and devices, from automobiles to heart pumps to MP3 players; it is how businessmen establish ways to produce and deliver goods and services, from refrigerators to movies to wireless Internet access; it is how doctors diagnose and cure (or treat) diseases, from polio to sickle cell anemia to breast cancer; it is how children learn language, math, and manners; it is how philosophers discover the nature of the universe, the nature of man, and the proper principles of morality, politics, and esthetics. Ultimately, however, in a rational society, the evasions and assertions of predators are of little concern to good people. Genuine happiness comes from identifying and pursuing the long-range material and spiritual requirements of one’s life as set by one’s nature. Objectivism is fully secular and absolutist; it is neither liberal nor conservative nor anywhere in between. For instance, because the essence of man’s nature is that he possesses free will, the best art—romantic art—reflects this fact; it depicts man as in control of his life, as capable of reshaping his world according to his values, as the self-made soul that he is. Existence just exists—and everything in it is something specific; everything is what it is and can act only in accordance with its identity. “Man is an end in himself.” 4. On October 2, 1962, The Ayn Rand Program debuted on Columbia University’s campus radio station, WKCR, in New York City. And the only social system in which such force is so prohibited—consistently and on principle—is pure, laissez-faire capitalism. The "Basic Principles of Objectivism" is Nathaniel Branden's original 20-lecture presentation of the basic principles of Objectivism -- the philosophy originated by novelist/philosopher Ayn Rand -- newly remastered onto 28 CDs. By far, the best guide to objectivism. Altruism holds that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that service to others is the only moral justification of his existence, and that self-sacrifice is his highest moral duty. Egoism is based on and derived from the requirements of human life on earth; thus, people can practice it consistently and must do so—if they want to live and make the most of their lives. It requires rational respect for the facts of reality, including the facts about our human nature and needs. Happiness, like everything in the world, is something specific; it has a nature. This is prob… It all comes down to standards. This audio content is accessible only to current Digital or Premium subscribers. A principle is “a fundamental, primary, or general truth, on which other truths depend.” Thus a principle is an abstraction which subsumes a great number of concretes. The key principle of the Objectivist ethics is rationality, as against mysticism and whim. It maintains that if it is done properly, and practiced by everyone, the entire world could be a better place. A person who refuses to use reason cannot live and flourish. There are objective universal moral principles valid for all people and all social environments. Objectivism holds that there is no greater moral goal than achieving one's happiness. The politics of freedom is the politics of self-interest; it cannot be defended with the ethics of self-sacrifice—or with a philosophy of unreason, unreality, or “super-nature”—or with no philosophy at all. The first element of Objectivism is the metaphysics (the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, identity, time, and space). In the realm of politics, Objectivism recognizes that in order to take life-promoting action, a person must be free to do so; he must be free to act on the judgment of his mind, his basic means of living. Thus, Objectivism rejects the idea that reality is ultimately determined by personal opinion or social convention or “divine decree.” An individual’s ideas or beliefs do not make reality what it is, nor can they directly change anything about it; they either correspond to the facts of reality, or they do not. [1] Leonard Peikoff, a professional philosopher and Rand’s designated intellectual heir, [2] [3] later gave it a more formal structure. Although the government holds a monopoly on the legal use of force, it is constitutionally forbidden to use initiatory force in any way whatsoever—and constitutionally required to use retaliatory force as necessary to protect the rights of its citizens. Like everything in the world, art is something specific; thus, it is both knowable and definable. Objectively speaking, two such paintings do not have “equal” value; they do not “equally” serve the purpose of art; and they are not “equally” enjoyed by rational people. Predation (the sacrificing of others for one’s own alleged benefit) is no more in one’s best interest than is altruism. In a laissez-faire society, if people want to deal with one another, they may do so only on voluntary terms, by uncoerced agreement. If you held these concepts with total consistency, as the base of your convictions, you would have a full philosophy to guide the course of your life. The government acts only as a policeman that protects man’s rights; it uses physical force only in retaliation and only against those who initiate its use, such as criminals or foreign invaders. The cause goes to the essentials of what Objectivism is. Being moral consists in taking the actions necessary to sustain and further one’s life—actions such as thinking rationally and planning for the future, being honest and having integrity, producing goods or services and trading them with others, judging people rationally (according to the relevant facts) and treating them accordingly, and so on. It holds that being moral consists in rationally pursuing one’s life-promoting values, neither sacrificing oneself to others nor sacrificing others to oneself. Objectivism is a philosophical system developed and named by author Ayn Rand. They need moral principles that are conducive to the goal of living fully and happily. This theory rejects supernatural or mystical powers, including the existence of God. According to this principle, the good is that which supports or promotes an individual’s life; the evil is that which retards or destroys it. Likewise, the accepted ideas or norms of a society or culture have no effect on the nature of reality; they either comport with the facts of reality, or they do not. A collection of thirty-two essays on philosophy, culture and politics containing some of Ayn Rand’s most trenchant commentary on such issues as religion, objectivity, sex, abortion, foreign policy and the mixed economy. Shipping and handling. It is a system where men deal with one another, not as victims and executioners, nor as masters and slaves, but as traders, by free, voluntary exchange to mutual benefit. Reproduction of content and images in whole or in part is prohibited. Objectivism holds that reason—the faculty that operates by way of observation and logic—is man’s means of knowledge. What we call applied objectivism was, for Ayn Rand, simply the objective application of objectivist ethical and political principles. What reason is there to do so? Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Objectivism (General) Ayn Rand Institute: The Center for the Advancement of Objectivism ARI offers a variety of educational experiences to promote a greater understanding of Ayn Rand’s philosophy and, through the writing and speaking of our experts, advocates her principles of reason, rational self-interest, and laissez-faire capitalism. If accepted and practiced consistently, it leads to death. She discusses widespread misrepresentations of her views and challenges her opponents to refute her actual positions rather than attack a “straw woman.” She goes on to discuss the relation between reason and emotion, the true nature of altruism, the harmony of rational men’s interests, the proper role of government and the evil of initiating physical force against others. By the standard of man’s life, each individual should live his own life for his own sake. Basic Principles of Objectivism by Nathaniel Branden Lecture 10: Reason and Virtue Ayn Rand held that, far from being a useless diversion, philosophy was critically important in human life: Every human action presupposes certain philosophical beliefs. In this recording of the first program in that series, Rand reads her inaugural Los Angeles Times column and then expands on its key points. Neither individual beliefs nor widespread agreement nor a “supernatural” being’s will has any effect on the nature of the world. Finally, Objectivism emphatically opposes the politics of libertarianism—the anti-intellectual movement that claims to advocate “liberty,” while flagrantly ignoring or denying the moral and philosophical foundations on which liberty depends. Moral absolutism. The Basic Principles of Objectivism Lecture 16: Common Fallacies About Capitalism + $3.50; The Basic Principles of Objectivism Lecture 17: Romanticism Naturalism and The Novels of … Why not live a life of happiness? Contributions to ARI in the United States are tax-exempt to the extent provided by law. Thus, Objectivism rejects all forms of mysticism—the idea that knowledge can be acquired by non-sensory, nonrational means (such as faith, intuition, ESP, or any other form of “just knowing”). This principle is the recognition of the fact that giving up the requirements of one’s life and happiness is inimical to one’s life and happiness. Objectivism is a multi-faceted philosophy. If you want to support an educational organization that advances Ayn Rand’s philosophy, you have a powerful new alternative: Objective Standard Institute (OSI)—which is related to but distinct from TOS. I’m director of education at OSI, and I’m writing to ask for your support in … This principle is not a matter of personal opinion or social convention or “divine revelation”; it is a matter of the factual requirements of human life in a social context. Short Introduction to Philosophy and Objectivism Objectivism is the philosophy developed by the author/philosopher Ayn Rand and dramatized in her novels, such as The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. According to egoism, therefore, insofar as a person pursues his life-serving values and refuses to sacrifice them, he is acting morally; insofar as he does not, he is not acting morally. “You can’t eat your cake and have it, too.” 3. Her first weekly column, published June 17, 1962, introduces readers to Objectivism’s positions on the nature of reality, the efficacy of human reason, the nature of man, and the ideal political system. And on principle—is pure, laissez-faire capitalism money are not “ liberals, ” but absolutists freedom. 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