Ayn Rand (1905-1982) was a world-renowned philosopher and the best-selling novelist who deductively created a particular unique philosophical system referred to as Objectivism. The philosophy of Objectivism has influenced the lives of many individuals over the last half-century. She wrote plays, screenplays, and short stories in her early career. Most of the philosophical works of Rand has appeared in books, non-peer reviewed journals, and non-academic articles. Her interest in philosophical knowledge continued long after she developed the globe in her magnum opus which was her last work of fiction. This paper seeks to present Ayn Rand’s philosophy.
Philosophy is the research and study of fundamental nature of existence, knowledge, and reality, particularly when considered as a discipline in academics. In essence, it is the concept of man as a heroic being with productive accomplishments as his noble activity, his happiness and joy as the life’s moral purpose, and reason as his only absolute (Lennox 328). For Rand, the only political-economic arrangement that was compatible is capitalism since it was the single system that was based on high opinion and respect for humans because it ends in themselves (Lennox 335). Rand largely disowned the free-market libertarian political movement though it drew great inspiration from her moral defense of the minimal state.
Rand’s mode of presentation and ideas make her popular with many non-academics. In response to questions from her readers, Rand created some of her opinions and views. However, she did not take time to defend readers against probable objections or to reconcile them with the opinions presented in her writings. Her philosophical novels and essays lack full or self-critical analytic style of philosophy.
From my own perspective, I found out the Ayn Rand’s philosophy has various problems. The primary problem with her philosophy is the view that a human being acquires knowledge through reasoning. According to Rand, it can be deduced that a person can acquire understanding as he or she observes reality via senses and incorporates observations into ideas, principles, and generalizations (Rand 35). The acquisition of knowledge is seen to have improved the advancement of science and technology, and that man can achieve or acquire much more tasks.
The philosophy that includes epistemological, ethical, and metaphysical dimensions determines and precedes both economics and politics. The metaphysics of Rand is based on her concept and view that reality is absolute and objective. Rand viewed the mind of a human being as competent to objectively accomplish sound knowledge of things that already exist. The moral theory of self-interest by Rand is derived from the nature of a person as a rational being and acknowledges the right of individuals to think and act according to his freely-selected principles. She reflects the potential of a man to be the person he can be in the context of the existing situations. We find that Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism, asserts that the universe has externally existed. Objectivism holds that there is no significant moral target than accomplishing happiness and that each can live an independent, fulfilling, and productive life (Rand 23).
The philosophy of Rand builds on itself and existence exists. In essence, what exists can be understood through investigation and thought. The unique vision of Rand should be considered worthy of scholarly and comprehensive examination. This research paper presented Rand’s philosophy through the critical analysis of her ideas.
Works Cited
Lennox, James G. "“Who Sets the Tone for a Culture?”: Ayn Rand's Approach to the History of Philosophy." A Companion to Ayn Rand, 2016, pp. 321-342.
Rand, Ayn. For the New Intellectual: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand (50th Anniversary Edition). Signet, 2014.
