Mid-Michigan Objectivist Club

What is Objectivism?

Objectivism is a philosophy... and to many who haven't had formal training in philosophy, it can be difficult to understand. So... please be patient, for some this may be a crash course in philosophy as well as Objectivism.

Objectivism was founded by the author/philosopher Ayn Rand. Rand espoused her philosophy in the novel, Atlas Shrugged. Shortly before Atlas Shrugged was published, Ayn Rand was asked to "explain Objectivism while standing on one foot". This was her answer:

1. Metaphysics: Objective Reality
2. Epistemology: Reason
3. Ethics: Self-interest
4. Politics: Capitalism

Here is an explanation in more detail...

Metaphysics: Objective Reality

Metaphysics, something most people never talk about, is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of the world, or in other words, the nature of reality. This is a topic so broad that it's hard to grasp. In fact, for most of us, it's a topic we never consider.

In some systems of philosophy, the world that we see around us only exists in our mind... our mind creates reality. This means that if we wish something to exist or believe something to exist... it exists.

Sound confusing?

Many other people will look at reality and would say that it exists whether or not we see it or recognize it in our thoughts. Reality exists with or without us. Existence... well.... exists! In other words, to an Objectivist, the world around us and its nature are a matter of objective reality- something we can observe and understand, but it's existence is independent of our thoughts, feelings, and wishes.

Epistemology: Reason

Epistemology is another word most people never use in daily conversation. But, it's important nevertheless. Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that concerned with the nature of knowledge... or, expressed differently, the nature of learning. It's the study of how we know things.

Objectivism considers reason to be the only way that we know what's what. Reason (or Logic), is the faculty that allows us to take the information we get from our senses, process it, and integrate it into our base of knowledge. The alternatives to reason are faith or feeling, and they have their disadvantages.

For example, if you went to a doctor, and he gave you a prescription... would you rather he told you "This prescription will cure you because I've determined your condition and cure with reason and science" or "I feel that this prescription will cure you, because it's my gut reaction". If you would be more comfortable with the former, you might be an Objectivist.

Ethics: Self-Interest

This is where the rubber hits the road. Ethics is the study of morality, the study of what is right and what is wrong. To the objectivist, an individual's primary concern is his or her own self-interest. The individual should live their life, with the pursuit of his or her happiness being their primary concern. Altruism, a philosophy of self-sacrifice, is considered destructive and negative.

This aspect of Objectivism could be called selfishness, but this term is negatively colored. The bottom line is this: selflessness or self-sacrifice does not equate to virtue. It's ok to help others and to care for others, but it's important to not make these efforts to your own detriment. Understanding this and how it can be applied in your own life can be difficult. Click here for a more detailed discussion.

Politics: Capitalism

Politics concerns the nature of how decisions are made in groups and how members of a group deal with one another.

The freedom of the individual is of primary concern to Objectivists. For an individual to be free, it stands to reason that no person may initiate the use of force against another, unless someone initiated force against them (self-defense).

In a system where individuals deal with one another without force, they must deal with each other voluntarily. This means they work together as traders... with voluntary exchanges to their mutual benefit. This is capitalism in a nutshell- An employee exchanging time for pay; A consumer exchanging money for goods or services. Government can only act in a limited fashion to protect the individual's rights from force or fraud.