Objectivism: An overview

Ayn Rand 1905-1982 American Author

Ayn Rand - Background Born in Russia in 1905 as Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum She moved to the United States in her twenties in 1926 less than a decade after the 1917 Russian Revolution This revolution established the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R. or Soviet Union), a communist government

Ayn Rand - Background She opposed the communist government that had taken over her country and which was beginning to spread around the world Actually, Rand opposed all forms of Collectivism She is famous for several novels including Anthem, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged, which voiced this opposition through literature

The Collective vs. the Individual Collectivism: a philosophy that stresses human interdependence and the importance of a social collective, rather than the importance of separate individuals. Collectivists: one who focuses on community and society, and seeks to give priority to group goals over individual goals. Cooperation is key. Its roots go back to the concept of “Holism” from Aristotle “The whole is more than the sum of its parts” –Aristotle

The Collective vs. the Individual

The Collective vs. the Individual What does this quote suggest about humanity?

Thomas More (English Author) invented the term “Utopia” in 1516—it translates to no place, and it is a fictional paradise where everyone is equal. In some ways, Communism seeks to achieve this kind of paradise or at least a “workers’ paradise.” The “workers’ paradise” was Karl Marx’s last stage in his vision for his collectivist society. Marxism, Socialism, and Communism are all about “equality” in terms of what people have.

An Introduction to Ayn Rand’s Philosophy Objectivism An Introduction to Ayn Rand’s Philosophy

“The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.” - Ayn Rand

“The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.” - Ayn Rand What does this mean? Morality: 1a :  a moral discourse, statement, or lesson 1b :  a literary or other imaginative work teaching a moral lesson 2 :  a doctrine or system of moral conduct 3 :  conformity to ideals of right human conduct 4 :  moral conduct :  virtue

Objectivism: A Philosophy

A Philosophy of Life “I regret nothing. There have been things I missed, but I ask no questions, because I have loved it, such as it has been, even the moments of emptiness, even the unanswered-and that I loved it, that is the unanswered in my life.” 

Things are what they ARE, independent of what anyone wishes. The Nature of Reality Things are what they ARE, independent of what anyone wishes. Objectivism rejects the idea that each human has their own subjective view of reality. There is only one reality.

The Nature of Reality

Reason is man’s one way to obtain knowledge and tool of survival. Knowledge is always easy to obtain. There is no idea of faith or intuition in objectivism. Truth is NOT relative. It is an absolute fact.

Knowledge

Individuals have free will and are independent. Human nature Individuals have free will and are independent. However, they have to use reason to justify their actions. Individuals thoughts/behaviors are NOT the result of factors that are beyond their control.

Human nature

Ethics are based on facts. Ethical standards Ethics are based on facts. Morals are only in place to further man’s survival. Ethics ARE NOT a matter of opinion.

Ethical standards

Every individual should live only for himself. Morality Every individual should live only for himself. There is no Greater Good. Each individual should be “selfish”, should live by his own mind and for his own happiness. Moral worth is NOT determined by altruistic service to society, the nation, religion, etc.

Morality

Government should not exist to: politics Capitalism only! The government’s sole job is to protect each individual’s right to live his life. Government should not exist to: - Work toward the common good or - Work toward the will of the majority. Government only maintains order.

politics

In order to live, man must act; in order to act, he must make choices; in order to make choices, he must define a code of values, he must know what he is and where he is and the nature of the universe in which he acts—he needs metaphysics, epistemology, & ethics, which means: philosophy. He cannot escape from this need; his only alternative is whether the philosophy guiding him is to be chosen by his mind or by chance. - Ayn Rand

A Philosophy of Life “Have you felt it too? Have you seen how your best friends love everything about you- except the things that count? And your most important is nothing to them; nothing, not even a sound they can recognize.” 

The Fountainhead A Novel by Ayn Rand

The essentials From the Ayn Rand Institute: https://www.aynrand.org/novels/the-fountainhead#dominiquefrancon-2

The essentials

The Role of architecture Frank Lloyd Wright American Architect 1867-1959 Frank Lloyd Wright (born Frank Lincoln Wright, June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959) was an American architect, interior designer, writer, and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures, 532 of which were completed. Wright believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture. This philosophy was best exemplified by Fallingwater (1935), which has been called "the best all-time work of American architecture".  Wright was a leader of the Prairie School movement of architecture and developed the concept of the Usonian home, his unique vision for urban planning in the United States. His creative period spanned more than 70 years. The TRUTH about the connection between Rand and Wright and Roark: http://atlassociety.org/objectivism/atlas-university/new-to-ayn-rand/launchpad-blog/3828-frank-lloyd-wright-and-ayn-rand

The Role of architecture Fallingwater (1935) Gammage Auditorium (1964) Taliesin West (1937)

The Role of architecture

The Role of architecture