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What is
Objectivism?
Home What is Objectivism?

Dr. David Kelley

2 Mins | June 14, 2010

Question: What is Objectivism ?

Answer:  "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."
           — Ayn Rand, Appendix to Atlas
Shrugged

Objectivism is the philosophy of rational

individualism founded by Ayn Rand (1905-
1982). Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Rand
witnessed the Bolshevik revolution. She
emigrated to America where she worked in
Hollywood and became a bestselling author of
novels, most famously The Fountainhead and
Atlas Shrugged.

Objectivism holds that there is no greater

moral goal than achieving one's happiness.
But one cannot achieve happiness by wish or
whim. It requires rational respect for the facts
of reality, including the facts about our human
nature and needs. It requires living by
objective principles, including moral integrity
and respect for the rights of others. Politically,
Objectivists advocate laissez-faire capitalism.

Objectivism is benevolent, holding that the

universe is open to human achievement and
happiness and that each person has within
him the ability to live a rich, fulfilling,
independent life.

NEXT > WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?

ABOUT THE
AUTHOR:
David Kelley

David Kelley is the

founder of The Atlas
Society. A professional philosopher, teacher,
and best-selling author, he has been a leading
proponent of Objectivism for more than 25
years.

3 Comments 
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Lorenzo LaRue − ⚑
8 months ago

....This 'objectivism' makes one greedy and left with

no compassion for anything other than one's own
happiness, talk about a giant fascist ego....

2 2 Reply • Share ›

ZR − ⚑
Z
> Lorenzo LaRue
5 months ago

It's not fascistic at all; it's the exact opposite of

fascism. That just shows that the favored
response to fascism today (liberalism carried to
its extreme conclusion) is at least as bad as the
thing it tried to solve

2 0 Reply • Share ›

Lorenzo LaRue >ZR − ⚑

5 months ago

....It would seem that you got that all

backwards since fascism is rule by
corporations, that's not ANY kind of liberalism,
sorry....

0 2 Reply • Share ›

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DR. RICHARD M. SALSMAN JEFFREY A. TUCKER

AARON TAO JENNIFER A. GROSSMAN

DR. STEPHEN HICKS DR. DAVID KELLEY

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