Quote:
Originally posted by GeraldTheMouse
Rational self-interest is the objective ethical code.
Each man should seek his own happiness through a productive life in which his own independent, rational judgement is his only guide to action. No man should sacrifice himself to others nor others to himself. The primary virtues of the Objectivist ethics are rationality, independence, integrity, honesty, justice, productiveness, trade, and pride.
Objectivism rejects altruism, the doctrine that the highest good is service to others---whether "others'' denotes a state, a deity, one's family, "society,'' or the poor and disadvantaged.
(From http://www.vix.com/objectivism/Writing/InBrief/) |
I think this is still a long walk from "every man for himself" - the rejection of altruism as the "highest good" does not preclude helping others - it simply means it isn't the highest moral imperative. There are several examples in the book we're discussing. My take on it is simply that charity should be restricted to those who would benefit from it, rather than those who would simply make it their particular ecological niche - and that charity constitutes a debt which should be repaid by the recipient.
I should also make the point that I'm not an objectivist, I'm a Libertarian - we like Ayn Rand, she didn't like us (see "anarchist hippies"). Rand's intent was to create a philosophy, not an ideology or a political party. I think many of her ideas would fail the practical test of application, but they make a good starting point for the basis of a realistic political system.