Objectivism is a philosophy by Ayn Rand, promoting rational self-interest and minimizing government influence. It has influenced the modern libertarian movement and adheres to metaphysical realism and Romantic Realism. Rand’s books have sold over 22 million copies worldwide, with tens of thousands identifying as Objectivists today.
Objectivism is a philosophy presented by Russian-American writer and philosopher Ayn Rand in her books and writings, most notably The Fountainhead (1943) and Atlas Shrugged (1957). Over 22 million of her books have been sold worldwide as of 2005, with half a million more sold each year. Rand was one of the most influential philosophies of the 20th century, and her ideas and values form much of the foundation of the modern libertarian movement. Although Objectivism was at its height during the 1920s, 1950s and 1960s, today there are probably several tens of thousands of people who identify themselves as part of the Objectivist movement, which promotes Objectivism in various ways and, as each movement, also acts as an international social club.
With Objectivism, what began as a few books and writings expanded into a formal philosophy and associated institution that rebelled against some of the popular ideas of the time while concurring with others. For example, Rand’s philosophy was atheistic, but also anti-communist. In the appendix to what is often considered Rand’s greatest and most complete work, Atlas Shrugged, Rand summarizes objectivism in one sentence: “My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral aim of his life, with productive success as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute”.
The name Objectivism comes from one of the first principles of philosophy: there is an objective reality, in which we all have our imperfect sensory window. This is called metaphysical realism and is a tenet of many other philosophies and belief systems. Rand and modern objectivists also believe in an objective set of ethics, in the form of rational self-interest. Thus, objectivism is against altruism and other forms of selfishly unjustifiable self-sacrifice.
Like some of the ancient Greek philosophers Rand was influenced by, the epistemology of objectivism, its account of where truth comes from, focuses on reason. By extension, this upholds science above superstition and puts an emphasis on the power of industry. Objectivists are not religious.
Politically, Objectivism is extremely capitalist and seeks to minimize government influence over industry and private business. It was a good philosophy to guide people in America and other countries in the decades after World War II when progress was greatly accelerated and the quality of life was drastically improved by industry and capitalism. Aesthetically and artistically, Objectivism adheres to Romantic Realism, which focuses on the power of human will and choice in how we conceive of ourselves and interact with the world. Objectivists reject excessive emotion or sentimentality, which they point out may hinder one’s self-interest or ability to think logically.
Ayn Rand died in 1982, but her philosophy lives on through organizations such as the Ayn Rand Institute and the Atlas Society and in informal and formal discussions held by philosophers and students around the world.
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