Ayn Rand’s Philosophy & Implications for Professional Nursing & U.S. Healthcare

Ayn Rand’s Philosophy Objectivism: Objectivism is the ultimate philosophy of unsullied reason and unadulterated individualism.

Objectivism defined by Rand Interview with Mike Wallace (1959) (From Video “Ayn Rand a Sense of Life” Produced by Michael Paxton in 1998)

Historical Context Born Feb. 2, 1905 in St. Petersburg Russia Migrated to U.S. in 1926 Met & Married O’Connor in 1929 The Fountainhead 1943 “Objectivism” launched Russian Revolution Lenin’s Internationalism Russia under Lenin and Stalin World War I The Great Depression 1933 Roosevelt’s New Deal 1947 Interrogated by the HUAC

Objectivism: The Philosophy of Reason ``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 achievements as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.'' - Ayn RandAyn Rand

Intellectual Freedom cannot exist without Political Freedom Intellectual Freedom Political Freedom Free MarketFree Mind Political Freedom cannot exist without economic freedom

Overview of Rand’s Philosophy Metaphysics: Objective Reality Epistemology: Reason Ethics: Self Interest Politics: Capitalism

Examples of Rand’s Contributions to Literature Atlas Shrugged The Fountainhead We the Living Anthem Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal For the New Intellectual The Virtue of Selfishness

Rand’s Work reveals: The philosophy of individualism, personal responsibility, the power of reason, and the importance of morality.

Reason is man’s only means of knowledge Facts of reality are knowable through objective reasoning Sensory perception Laws of logic Knowledge

Non-rational forms of Knowledge Mysticism Irrationalism Supernaturalism Non-Sensory A higher Being Do not Exist!

Rational Self Interest is the Ethical Code Ethics of Self Interest Honesty Honesty Justice Justice Production Trade Pride Rationality Independence Integrity

Capitalism demands the best of every man His rationality & rewards accordingly $

Altruism: the highest good is service to others Rand rejects Altruism

Connection to Other Philosophic Schools of Thought Aristotole Platoism Kant Marxism Communism

Connection to Nursing The use of reason to approach life’s challenges to examine & excel in life. Objective approach to scientific exploration using reason and logic for research. Respect for individuality. The spirit of individual commitment to achieve success. The passion for what is right.

Healthcare’s Lesson in Rand’s Teaching Clinton-Bush Debates on Healthcare Reform “Market” driven managed care Failure of Market driven managed care The alternative: Socialized Healthcare