The Benefit of Being Selfish

The Benefit of Being Selfish

The Benefit of Being Selfish: Objectivism Ethics in a Comparative Essay
Alex Ilson
Axia College of University of Phoenix











    Ayn Rand developed Objectivism, a philosophy that promotes the virtue of selfishness as a fundamental ethical value. In our society, there are negative connotations associated with selfishness. People wonder, “Why do you use the word ‘selfishness’ to denote virtuous qualities of character, when that word antagonizes so many people to whom it does not mean the things you mean?” (Rand, 1964, p. vii). Popular belief assumes that selfishness is bad, and that altruism is good. Ayn Rand challenges this idea with her philosophy. Promoting selfishness makes people uneasy; it is in part because of this uneasiness that Objectivism is misunderstood.
    Table 1 outlines the basic principles of Objectivism.
Table 1
The Basic Principles of Objectivism
Reason is the only method in which to understand the facts of reality.
Reality is what it is, existence exists, and A is A.
The standard of morality is man’s life.
No individual has the right to use force against others.
A moral society is based on individual rights and a government that acts as a protector of these rights.
Note: From Branden, N. (1984). The Benefits and Hazards of the Philosophy of Ayn Rand: A Personal Statement. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 24(4), 39.

    According to Objectivism, man should live his life according to reason (Branden, 1984). Ayn Rand argues that the material provided by the senses is fully adequate to understand all the facts of reality. Man knows these facts of reality. These facts are based upon reason, and these facts should govern how man lives his life.
    In order to understand Objectivism, we must understand that it is a fact that reality exists. Things are what they are, independent of anyone’s beliefs. Existence exists, and reality is what it is (Branden, 1984). Objectivism also argues that any...