Objectivism of ayn rand

Ayn Rand was known as one of the most intellectual people in the 20th century. As an immigrant from Russia, she was born in 1905 and died in 1982. Rand came to the United States after she graduated from a university in Russia around 1962. In the U. S. she established herself writing fiction and becoming a passionate philosophy advocate. She often times called this desired philosophy, “ Objectivism.” This philosophy is in the Aristotelian tradition, with that tradition’s emphasis upon metaphysical naturalism, empirical reason in epistemology, and self-realization in ethics. Several other intelligent people and generations were influenced by Rands works of fictional and nonfictional presentations of philosophy.

Rand believed that people are born morally with, “ tabula rasa (a blank slate).” This allows people actions, experiences and choices to define their character. This relates with the article written by Rand, The Defense of Ethical Egoism, because it talks about our moral development and in the article, she praises morality of selfishness. Pleasures taught might be immoral but learned habits are possibly the opposite. Ayn Rand works toward differing between conventional altruistic morality and morality of selfishness. She praises morality of selfishness and criticizes altruistic morality. Rand finds that one of the most selfish things can be an individual mind that does not recognize higher judgment or authority to the world.

In order to support Rands conclusion she goes into long explanations and gives good examples to what she is talking about. She believed that one should serve themselves and bring happiness to themselves instead of just thinking of others. Achieving ones ultimate happiness in their life is our highest moral purpose. Rand makes a good distinction between humans and animals in order to support her conclusion. She makes the point that different from animals, humans do not have an automatic code for survival. If we as humans do not have a purpose and a goal in life then we are looking at the standard of death. Basically, what Rand is trying to say is that if we go about life without guidance and self-purpose then we are heading blindly down a road to nowhere or down a road to death and pain.

In Craig Biddles article he states that, “ Rand emphasizes that “ the purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.” This is a great representation to what Rand believed to be true about life and morality. In the view of objectivism, you should not sacrifice anything to better someone’s life if it takes away from your life in any way. As I was reading through Ayn Rand’s article, I was thinking for an example of this so I could better understand Rand and possibly see things through her viewpoint. I thought of an example about a business.

Say I wanted to open an ice-cream shop. I would work hard towards this goal of mine to invest in opening an ice-cream shop. If a friend of mine, then came to me at the same time and wanted to barrow money to open a business of their own I would have a decision to make. Objectivism would tell me that if I didn’t have enough money to lend to my friend and to be successful myself then I would not lead my friend that money. But if I happened to have enough money to non-sacrificially help myself and my friend and I felt they would be successful, then objectivism would say that I could lend my friend the money.

This example helped me to better understand Rands point of view. Ayn Rand would believe that pursing your own life-serving interest and goals is morally right because this promotes our lives and helps us be a better us. If we think about this in a scientific approach could Rands conclusion still stand?“ it is clear that Rand thought there is some cognitive process that makes it possible for a human being to invest himself in a value and to experience a rage of attendant emotions. Performing this process, being so invested, and feeling and acting on intense emotions seems to be what Rand means by “ living” as opposed to merely existing.”

This quote from an article about Ayn Rand is another supportive example as to why her conclusion can be supported. Once you get through the complicated part about thinking of the meaning that Rand was trying to portray, the answer is simple. She is wanting humans to live a happy life and by achieving happiness, you can fulfil the moral purpose of your life.