objectivism

is a philosophical movement that advocates the political principles of lassez-faire capitalism as its practical application.

Objectivism is a philosophical movement... since politics is a branch of philosophy, Objectivism advocates certain political principles specifically, those of laissez-faire capitalism as the consequence and the ultimate practical application of its fundamental philosophical principles. It does not regard politics as a separate or primary goal, that is: as a goal that can be achieved without a wider ideological context. Politics is based on three other philosophical disciplines: metaphysics, epistemology and ethics on a theory of man's nature and of man's relationship to existence. It is only on such a base that one can formulate a consistent political theory and achieve it in practice. When, however, men attempt to rush into politics without such a base, the result is that embarrassing conglomeration of impotence, futility, inconsistency and superficiality which is loosely designated today as 'conservatism.' Objectivist are not 'conservatives.' We are radicals for capitalism... we are fighting for that philosophical base which capitalism did not have and without which it was doomed to perish.

is a philosophy whereby politics does not account for either a separate or a primary goal, but rather, serves as an application thereof.

It does not regard politics as a separate or primary goal, that is: as a goal that can be achieved without a wider ideological context. Politics is based on three other philosophical disciplines: metaphysics, epistemology and ethics on a theory of man's nature and of man's relationship to existence. It is only on such a base that one can formulate a consistent political theory and achieve it in practice. When, however, men attempt to rush into politics without such a base, the result is that embarrassing conglomeration of impotence, futility, inconsistency and superficiality which is loosely designated today as 'conservatism.' Objectivist are not 'conservatives.' We are radicals for capitalism... we are fighting for that philosophical base which capitalism did not have and without which it was doomed to perish.

is not an organized intellectual movement but a trend among independent individuals.

I regard the spread of Objectivism through today's culture as an intellectual movement i.e., a trend among independent individuals who share the same ideas but not as an organized movement.

is not conservatism: It is radical capitalism... we are fighting for that philosophical base which capitalism did not have and without which it was doomed to perish.

Politics is based on three other philosophical disciplines: metaphysics, epistemology and ethics on a theory of man's nature and of man's relationship to existence. It is only on such a base that one can formulate a consistent political theory and achieve it in practice. When, however, men attempt to rush into politics without such a base, the result is that embarrassing conglomeration of impotence, futility, inconsistency and superficiality which is loosely designated today as 'conservatism.' Objectivist are not 'conservatives.' We are radicals for capitalism... we are fighting for that philosophical base which capitalism did not have and without which it was doomed to perish.

1s 2pistemology is 'reason': 'You can't eat your cake and have it, too.

At a sales conference at Random House, preceding the publication of Atlas Shrugged, one of the book salesmen asked me whether I could present the essence of my philosophy while standing on one foot. I did as follows: Metaphysics: Objective Reality... Epistemology: Reason... Ethics: Self-interest... Politics: Capitalism... If you want this translated into simple language, it would read: 1. 'Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed' or 'Wishing won't make it so.' 2. 'You can't eat your cake and have it, too.' 3. 'Man is an end in himself.' 4. 'Give me liberty or give me death.' If you held these concepts with total consistency, as the base of your convictions, you would have a full philosophical system to guide the course of your life.

1s 2thics is self-interest: Man is an end in himself.

At a sales conference at Random House, preceding the publication of Atlas Shrugged, one of the book salesmen asked me whether I could present the essence of my philosophy while standing on one foot. I did as follows: Metaphysics: Objective Reality... Epistemology: Reason... Ethics: Self-interest... Politics: Capitalism... If you want this translated into simple language, it would read: 1. 'Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed' or 'Wishing won't make it so.' 2. 'You can't eat your cake and have it, too.' 3. 'Man is an end in himself.' 4. 'Give me liberty or give me death.' If you held these concepts with total consistency, as the base of your convictions, you would have a full philosophical system to guide the course of your life. But to hold them with total consistency to understand, to define, to prove and to apply them requires volumes of thought.

1s 2etaphysics is that there is an objective reality. As such, nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed. 'Wishing won't make it so.

1s 2olitics is capitalism: 'Give me liberty or give me death.

At a sales conference at Random House, preceding the publication of Atlas Shrugged, one of the book salesmen asked me whether I could present the essence of my philosophy while standing on one foot. I did as follows: Metaphysics: Objective Reality... Epistemology: Reason... Ethics: Self-interest... Politics: Capitalism... If you want this translated into simple language, it would read: 1. 'Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed' or 'Wishing won't make it so.' 2. 'You can't eat your cake and have it, too.' 3. 'Man is an end in himself.' 4. 'Give me liberty or give me death.'

objectivism, n.All

objectivism