Rand's Ethical Theory Of Objectivism

Ethical Theory of Objectivism

When attempting to be objective towards a situation one must be as impartial as possible, and not allow one’s own thoughts or feelings to influence his/her conclusions that he/she may draw from facts. Another possible way to phrase this would be that to be objective one must exercise rationality in his/her decision-making process. This idea is the ground work upon which Rand laid her ethical theory of Objectivism. Objectivism is closely tied to modern American economics and politics. Rand’s works and philosophy have found an audience in the American right-wing party both economically and politically. Objectivism’s spread is largely spear headed by objectivist movements that don’t always operate in harmony [1].

Objectivism places great importance on the individual and says that most acts performed for your own benefit would be ethically correct, to that end it stresses that man must have a form of government that allows for individual liberties as well as an economic system that rewards individual achievements. I agree completely here when talking about the idea of politics respecting the rights of the individual and allowing you to pursue your own passions. My sticking point with this objectivist ideal is that any form of charity that involves self-sacrifice is unethical. Objectivism would tell me that giving money to someone that is going through a hard time would be wrong because I could be using that money to better myself. I on the other hand believe the Bible is clear in several places about the idea of charity for example in 1 John chapter 3 verse 17 the Bible reads “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

“Reason (the faculty which identifies and integrates the material provided by man’s senses) is man’s only means of perceiving reality, his only source of knowledge, his only guide to action, and his basic means of survival.” [Rand] I agree that what separates man from the other creatures on this plant is our ability to reason and be logical. I do however, believe that my definition of reason may differ from the objectivist point of view. I believe that man being a creation of God was given the ability to think and reason, and that we should use it as such. I believe this is shown in the Bible that we are called to study the Bible diligently. There are many parables in the Bible that aren’t always instantly evident the meanings behind them, and I believe it is here that God wants man to search out the mind of God through reasoning, and that will help reinforce the moral grounds we stand