Objectivism is a philosophical system of rational individualism, created by the American writer of Russian origin Ayn Rand (1905—1982).
Foundations of the philosophy
In the early 1990s, as the Soviet system collapsed and Russia went through a painful transition to a market economy, Ayn Rand's ideas took on particular relevance. Her philosophy of Objectivism became a kind of "bible of capitalism" for many who sought an intellectual grounding for the new economic reality.
Core principles
- Existence exists
- Consciousness is conscious
- Existence is identity (A is A)
The central idea
The purpose of every person's life is the pursuit of their own happiness. The social system should safeguard people's individual rights through the principle of laissez-faire — government non-interference in the economy.
Rational egoism versus altruism
Rand called altruism "moral cannibalism" and argued against the claim that "one man's happiness inevitably requires another man's suffering." In her view, people's rational interests cannot conflict with one another. She proclaimed rational egoism the only correct ethical system.
"Man must live for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself"
Its critique of collectivism
Objectivism proceeds from an extreme individualism, rejecting every form of collectivism. Rand considered false any concept that placed anything above the individual's interests. In her view, no such thing as "group interest" truly exists, since a group is not itself a discrete subject. Collective interest can only be understood as an averaging of each member's individual interests.
Its economic philosophy
Rand considered unrestricted capitalism the ideal political-economic system, one in which everyone enters into purely voluntary transactions with each other. "Voluntary" here means the absence of physical coercion. The economy should be entirely separate from the state, whose only task is to counter those who try to achieve their ends by force.
In 1993, as Russia entered the era of "wild capitalism," Rand's ideas seemed to many like a revelation. Her books — "The Fountainhead" (1943), and especially "Atlas Shrugged" (1957) — became essential reading for a new generation of entrepreneurs. The philosophy of unrestricted capitalism appealed to those who longed for the "paradise of the land of opportunity."
A symbol of the philosophy
In the early 1960s, Rand called the Christian cross a symbol of torture, and declared the dollar sign her own symbol — "the symbol of free trade, and hence of free thought."
The role of reason and emotion
According to Objectivism, reason is the only means humans have of grasping reality, and the only guide to action. Emotions are entirely dependent on a person's thoughts, and form a subordinate, though important, part of consciousness. Rand considered strictly rational conduct the only correct behavior.
The problem of irrationalism
Rand called irrationalism of any kind "the disease of mid-20th-century society," and blamed the education system for causing it. For a personality to become whole, emotions must be understood — only then does one's sense of life stand in harmony with one's conscious convictions.
Criticism and problems
Academic criticism
Academic philosophers often ignore or reject Rand's philosophy. Sidney Hook, in 1961, criticized her attempts to derive from logic "not only facts, but ethical rules and economic laws." Corey Robin called her philosophy "metaphysical bubble gum."
Psychological weaknesses
Critics point to the schematic and psychologically implausible nature of the concept: it assumes a person should draw exclusively on rational arguments throughout life, that the emotional part of the psyche can simply be "switched off," and that pleasure reduces to an increase in wealth.
Dangerous extremes
Gary Weiss describes the ideal of Objectivist ethics as "an independent, cold-blooded, and indifferent godless self-seeker." The problem is that the social consequences of such directly self-centered behavior are never worked out.
A cult of personality
In the 1950s and '60s, Rand organized a circle made up mostly of young people, who formed a kind of cult. Ironically, these supporters of individualism called their own group "The Collective." Her novels were quoted from memory, and when questions or clarifications were sought, Rand would simply dismiss the questions themselves as "anti-life" and "idiotic."
Totalitarian features of the movement
There were "correct" and "incorrect" opinions, but also correct and incorrect art, down to interior design. If anyone dared disagree with Rand, the whole group would hold a mock trial. Barbara Weiss, Rand's secretary, admitted: "The workings of her cult exposed the emptiness of Rand's claim to champion free thought and individualism."
Its influence on Russian reality in the 1990s
By the early 1990s, Rand's ideas had made their way into post-Soviet Russia and become popular among the new class of entrepreneurs and among intellectuals captivated by capitalism. Her books were seen as a guide to action in an age of change.
For supporters
A philosophy of success and self-realization, justifying wealth as the result of talent
For skeptics
An ideology justifying social stratification and indifference to the fate of the weak
For critics
A pseudo-philosophy dressing up the crude principle "rich means good"
Problems of translation and understanding
Objectivism's basic concepts — "individualism" and "ego" — carry different connotations in Russian than in English. In Russian, "individualism" has a negative coloring, and "ego" is understood as a psychological term, or as part of pejorative words (egotsentrizm, egoizm). In English, however, "individualism" means independence and self-reliance, with no negative shading.
Legacy and the present
After Rand's death in 1982, the Ayn Rand Institute began describing Objectivism as a "closed system" — fully defined by Rand's own texts. The Objectivist movement continues to spread its ideas among both the general public and academic circles, exerting significant influence on libertarians and American conservatives.
In sum
Ayn Rand's Objectivism remains one of the most controversial philosophical systems of the 20th century. For some, it is a path to personal freedom and success; for others, a dangerous ideology of extreme individualism. In the context of 1990s Russia, these ideas became part of the intellectual baggage of an era of primary capital accumulation.