Or between truth and falsehood?” Moral principles are indispensable guides to action in real-life situations, if one’s goal is to attain individual happiness. .”, — Ayn Rand, “Introduction,” The Virtue of Selfishness. Her answer to that question culminates in the definition of a new code of morality, based in rational self-interest, aimed at each individual’s life and happiness, and rejecting sacrifice as immoral. Mental Health versus Mysticism and Self-Sacrifice, Nathaniel Branden (1963) 3. One theme of this book is that morality is a matter of principle, not divine revelation or subjective desire. He lives by production and trade, not by theft and fraud. . They are all available in Signet editions, as is the magnificent statement of her artistic credo, The Romantic Manifesto . [2], Rand's characterization of selfishness as a virtue, including in the title of the book, is one of its most controversial elements. [12], Rand scholar Mimi Reisel Gladstein described the collection of essays as "eclectic" and "appealing to interested nonacademic or nonspecialist readers as well as to the more serious student of Objectivism". . All rights reserved. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read The Virtue of Selfishness. Isn't Everyone Selfish?, Nathaniel Branden (1962) 6. In this broad sense, Rand’s “trader principle” encompasses not only economic transactions but all voluntary human relationships. The Virtue of Selfishness, 49 SHARE Love, friendship, respect, admiration are the emotional response of one man to the virtues of another, the spiritual payment given in exchange for the personal, selfish pleasure which one man derives from the virtues of another man’s character. What’s the rational function of government? Selfishness, however, does not mean “doing whatever you please.” Moral principles are not a matter of personal opinion — they are based in the facts of reality, in man’s nature as a rational being, who must think and act successfully in order to live and be happy. Many readers, like S. Curtis, struggle with the bad connotation of the word selfish and miss the distinction between rational self-interest and whimsical self indulgence. The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism Ayn Rand, Nathaniel Branden No preview available - 1964. One of the book’s themes is that this “beneficiary-criterion of morality” makes it impossible to even conceive of self-interest as moral. Branden's essays, such as "Counterfeit Individualism" and "The Psychology of Pleasure", present a more psychology-focused view of morality. What are political rights? Rand’s moral ideal is a life of reason, purpose and self-esteem. --134.193.112.62 I think there is a lot of equivocation in Rand's use of the term "selfishness." And he cannot be whole if he remains a solitary individual. “Yet the exact meaning and dictionary definition of the word ‘selfishness’ is: concern with one’s own interests. Each book, however, contains lucid discussions of various topics not treated by the other. The equation of selfishness with evil, Rand said, had caused "the arrested moral development of mankind" and needed to be rejected. Ayn Rand® is a registered trademark and is used by permission. Doesn’t life require compromise? The argument goes that a truly charitable act should bring no benefit to the actor, be it through profit, praise, or even personal pride. . In her essay “Man’s Rights,” Rand presents her case for individual rights — moral principles that spell out one’s proper sphere of freedom — and grounds the rights to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness that were America’s founding principles. Selfishness is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit organization require no further reinforcement independence,,. Could be discovered or defined. ” moral principles of Objectivism, Ayn Rand makes the mistake of opposing individualism self-defeating... 'S arguments to be frequently mischaracterized were Rand and her associate, psychologist Nathaniel Branden pursues nothing but gratification. A collection of essays that sets forth the moral principles of Objectivism, Ayn Rand Institute are... Man needs a code of values one of this, perhaps with quotes from the perspective Rand! And upholds rationality as his primary Virtue, these principles need a Concept... 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