Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store and download or stream it right to your computer, smartphone or tablet. The virtue of selfishness by ayn rand librarything. A collection of essays that sets forth the moral principles of objectivism, ayn rands controversial, groundbreaking philosophy. For, in rand s view, there is no mean, no discernment, no compromise. Notes on the virtue of selfishness by ayn rand chapter summary of ayn rand s the virtue of selfishness page numbers in parentheses.
The virtue of selfishness ebook written by ayn rand. Many followers of ayn rand dont know that she was a non christian atheist. Ayn rand s the virtue of selfishness is possibly the most liberating treatise on human living ever put to pen. Introduction to objectivist epistemology, for the new intellectual, the virtue of selfishness, and capitalism. Perhaps the strongest argument rand gives for this claim relies on the argument that it is up to every individual to decide what values his or her life needs. I think the most striking aspects of these books are the heroes and the way they acted. The virtue of selfishness is a collection of essays written by ayn rand and her associate, psychologist nathaniel branden. The objectivist ethics holds that the actor must always be the beneficiary of his action and that man must act for his own rational selfinterest. The virtue of selfishness chapter 1, the objectivist. We canand shouldconsider some of virtues rand holds up as genuine virtues, that is, virtues with a mean, that rand s implacable and stark philosophy has distorted beyond recognition. This collection of essays was the last work planned by ayn rand before her death in 1982. Atlas shrugged and the fountainhead are inspirational.
This is an excellent start into the philosophy behind ayn rand s work. The book covers ethical issues from the perspective of rand s objectivist philosophy. Oct 28, 2011 thinking about ones own rational interest. A collection of essays that sets forth the moral principles of objectivism, ayn rand s controversial, groundbreaking philosophy. Jul 25, 2011 the virtue of selfishness centennial edition by ayn rand, 9780451163936, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In this beautifully written and brilliantly reasoned collection of essays, ayn rand throws new light on the nature of art and its purpose in human life. The virtue of selfishness by ayn rand and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In the introduction to her collection of essays on ethical philosophy, the virtue of selfishness vos, rand writes that the exact meaning of selfishness is concern with ones own interests vos, p. Rand called the united states a nation of money, and she meant it as a compliment.
The significance of ayn rand s intellectual achievement, not only in establishing a scientific ethics, but also in demonstrating how living selfishly requires the most demanding of moral principles. The philosophy behind the novel is barren and embarrassingly selfserving. It features the entire contents of the original edition authorized by ayn rand, plus two of her other essays, racism and global balkanization, which are highly relevant to todays campuses and world. Moreover, the world would be a far better place if more people chose to live a.
The piece expands upon ideas found in atlas shrugged. Ayn rand s the virtue of selfishness is certainly an interesting and thought provoking collection of essays. Livre audio the virtue of selfishness ayn rand audible. Ayn rand chose this books provocative title because she was on a mission to overcome centuries of demonization. Most of the essays originally appeared in the objectivist newsletter. Ayn rand, the author of atlas shrugged and founder of objectivism, was nothing less than a controversial figure. This is the story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world and did. In the book you get what is displayed on the cover by means of its title, namely an undiluted brand of selfishness. The virtue of selfishness the virtue of selfishness audiobook, by ayn rand.
The virtue of selfishness contains the of discarded inset for a subscription to the objectivist newsletter no writings or markings of any kind. Once again, rand demonstrates her bold originality and her refusal to let popular catchphrases and conventional ideas define her sense of the truth. From this premise, rand then discusses the only moral system of economics possible. Her classics include, the fountainhead and atlas shrugged, both of which are available on audio. For this reason, rand believes that selfishness is a virtue. Traditional ethics has always been suspicious of selfinterest, praising acts that are selfless in intent and calling acts that are motivated by selfinterest amoral or. The underlying theme of her famous novels is her philosophy, a new. Ayn rand identified 6 primary virtues, all of which are implied by the fundamental virtue of rationality. Most of the essays originally appeared in the objectivist newsletter, except for the objectivist ethics, which was a paper rand delivered at the university of wisconsin during a symposium on ethics in our time. In popular usage, rand writes, the word selfishness is a synonym of evil.
A new concept of egoism by ayn rand, with additional articles by nathaniel branden. In the virtue of selfishness, ayn rand blasts this as a false alternative, holding that a selfish, nonsacrificial way of life is both possible and necessary for man. Why the moral is the practical, according to objectivismand how altruism sets up an irreconcilable conflict between the two. Rand amassed a large following in the 1950s and established the principles that would influence many modern conservatives which promoted individualism, reason, and selfishness, while opposing socialism, collectivism, and altruism. Ayn rands the virtue of selfishness is certainly an interesting and thought provoking collection of essays. If you only read one of the essays in the virtue of selfishness, make it that one. Ayn rand here sets forth the moral principles of objectivism, the philosophy that holds human life the life proper to a rational being as the standard of moral values and regards altruism as incompatible with human nature, with the creative requireme. Other articles where the virtue of selfishness is discussed. The virtue of selfishness is an excellent introduction to the ideas. The words to make money hold the essence of human morality, she wrote in a famous passage in her 1957 novel, atlas shrugged.
The provocative title of ayn rand s the virtue of selfishness introduces an equally provocative thesis about ethics. Do ayn rands books promote selfishness as a virtue. The virtue of selfishness ebook by ayn rand rakuten kobo. Some of its themes include the identification and validation of egoism. Traditional ethics has always been suspicious of selfinterest, praising acts that are selfless in intent and calling acts that are motivated by selfinterest amoral or immoral. Ayn rand s the virtue of selfishness chapter by chapter. Return of the primitive is an expanded edition of the new left. This collection of nineteen essays is an effective. A new concept of egoism, available in paperback from signet books, is a collection of essays on objectivism and the authors views on the importance of. A collection of essays that sets forth the moral principles of objectivism, ayn rand s controversial, groundbreaking phi. The objectivist virtue of selfishness mp3 download by peter schwartz. Since their initial publication, rand s fictional worksanthem, the fountainhead, and atlas shruggedhave had a major impact on the intellectual scene. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.
It is my opinion that while she is correct about the ideals of capitalism and freedom, ayn rand s philosophy objectivism takes individualism to perverse extremes and in so doing has committed great disservice to the libertarian cause. In it, she summarizes her view of philosophy and deals with a broad spectrum of topics. Traditional ethics has always been suspicious of selfinterest, praising acts that are selfless in intent and calling acts that are motivated by selfinterest. Ayn rand here sets forth the moral principles of objectivism, the philosophy that holds mans life the life proper to a rational being as the standard of moral values and regards altruism as incompatible with mans nature, with the creative requirements of his survival, and with a free society. The virtue of selfishness audiobook, written by ayn rand. Since it is important to know what morals one should. These are the virtues, defined in my own words, and quotes from miss rand s writing on each. A new concept of egoism is a 1964 collection of essays by the philosopher ayn rand and the writer nathaniel branden. Topics ayn rand, selfishness collection opensource language english. Since their initial publication, rands fictional worksanthem, the fountainhead, and atlas shruggedhave had a major impact on the intellectual scene. In this series of essays, rand asks why man needs morality in the first place, and arrives at an answer that redefines a new code of ethics based on the virtue of selfishness. The fundamentals of her philosophy are set forth in four nonfiction books. A new concept of egoism is a 1964 collection of essays and papers by ayn rand and nathaniel branden. Why individual rights can exist only if selfishness is a virtue.
Oct 14, 2011 ayn rand 19051982 was born in russia, graduated from the university of leningrad, and came to the united states in 1926. Atlas shrugged is the second most influential book for americans today after the bible, according to a joint survey conducted by the library of congress and the book of the month club. Ayn rand paul ryans moral heroine instructs johnny. The virtue of selfishness audible audiobook unabridged ayn rand author, c. An argument against the virtue of selfishness by ayn rand. This work should be at the top of the list of essential reading. Ayn rand first name rhymes with mine is the author of many celebrated books that revolve around the philosophical theory known as objectivism. Traditional ethics has always been suspicious of selfinterest, praising acts. Moreover, the world would be a far better place if more people chose to live a rational, conscious life. In rand s hierarchy of virtue the american industrialist is the highest type of human being and the needy are rabble.
December 20, 1999 introduction, by ayn rand altruism holds that any concern with ones own interest is evil. Rand covers the rights of man, the nature of government borrowed from the virtue of selfishness, and builds a picture of what a moral society would value. Ayn rand the virtue of selfishness 7 yet that is the meaning of altruism, implicit in such examples as the equation of an industrialist with a robber. In her ethics ayn rand extolled the virtue of selfishness. This book does a great job of explaining ayn rand s philosophy. The virtue of selfishness audiobook listen instantly. The virtue of selfishness mass market paperback january 1, 1664 by ayn rand author 3. Selfishness is not a virtue written by bob sage on september 3rd, 2007.
Whether you accept rand s strict rationalist philosophy or not, your worldview will never be the same after reading her. Ayn rands the virtue of selfishness is possibly the most liberating treatise on human living ever put to pen. Return of the primitive audiobook by ayn rand, peter. There is a fundamental moral difference between a man who sees his selfinterest in production and a. The virtue of selfishness by ayn rand, first edition abebooks. Ayn rand s two paperback originals, both in collectible condition. The provocative title of ayn rands the virtue of selfishness matches an equally provocative thesis about ethics. May 01, 2018 ayn rand identified 6 primary virtues, all of which are implied by the fundamental virtue of rationality.
Read the virtue of selfishness by ayn rand available from rakuten kobo. As others have pointed out, she wrote the virtue of selfishness, which would appear to put the matter to rest. Ayn rand here sets forth the moral principles of objectivism, the philosophy that holds human lifethe life proper to a rational beingas the standard of moral values and regards altruism as incompatible with mans nature, with the creative requirements of his survival, and with a free society. The essays were separately published between 1962 and 1964 in the monthly publication the objectivist newsletter, with the exception of the first chapter of the book, the objectivist ethics, which was published in 1961. The virtue of selfishness is a collection of essays presenting ayn rands radical moral code of rational selfishness and its opposition to the prevailing morality of altruism. Ayn rand summarizes her views better than i ever could in the objectivist ethics. I read this book many years ago, in addition to the romantic manifesto, atlas shrugged, and anthem. Like most people, i was introduced to ayn rand s work through the fountainhead and atlas shrugged. The virtue of selfishness, by ayn rand a hyperink quicklet capitalism, philosophy the ultimate ayn rand quicklet bundle atlas shrugged, the fountainhead, the virtue of selfishness, and more. May 02, 2017 ayn rand the virtue of selfishness 36 humility is, of necessity, the basic virtue of a mystical morality. The virtue of selfishness by ayn rand overdrive rakuten. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the virtue of selfishness.
Atlas shrugged 1957 and in the virtue of selfishness 1965, a collection of essays, was a rather confusing mixture of appeals to selfinterest and suggestions of the great benefits to society that would result from unfettered selfinterested behaviour. Its pretty clear from reading the virtue of selfishness that she doesnt have much sympathy for the less fortunate in civilization. In the virtue of selfishness ayn rand argues that selfinterest is the norm of ethics. The significance of ayn rands intellectual achievement, not only in establishing a scientific ethics, but also in demonstrating how living selfishly requires the most demanding of moral principles. This book consists of written essays from ann rand and a couple from a former associate nathaniel branden on objectivism about capitalism, objective reality, reason, and most of all selfinterest. The unknown ideal is not simply a book about economics. Miss rand s unique philosophy, objectivism, has gained a worldwide audience.
902 25 297 1236 284 1135 992 557 773 1286 151 1431 53 823 395 609 529 742 1156 1310 556 148 1114 1426 428 246 1331 927 907 200 905