An Evaluation of Ayn Rand’s Ethical System.
ABSTRACT
Rational egoism encapsulates Ayn Rand’s ethical system. According to this theory, the only ethically good actions are those that are channeled towards self-aggrandizements. Reason which is the basic surviving and epistemological tool of man is the only means for discovering what is good and bad. Emotions and desires are unreliable for such feat.
Hence, the ultimate end of man is survival on earth and so the basic struggle in human existence is struggle for survival. Any action capable of truncating or threatening man’s individual existence is morally bad whereas those that enhance it, are the good. Individual survival becomes the paradigm for knowing the morality of an action.
However, the major problem Rand identified in ethics is that moral philosophers before her were unscientific in approach and as such the ethical theories they formulated were equally unscientific. She moved further to assert and propose that ethics should be based on the nature of man, reflecting his survival needs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of Study…………………………………………………… 1
1.2. Statement of Problem…………………………………………………… 1
1.3. Purpose of Study…………………………………………………… … 2
1.4. Theses………………………………………………………………….. 3
1.5. Scope of Study…………………………………………………………. 3
1.6. Significance of Study…………………………………………………… 3
1.7. Research Methodology…………………………………………………. 4
Endnotes…………………………………………………………………… 5
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Literature Review……………………………………………………… 6
Endnotes………………………………………………………………. 27
CHAPTER THREE: EXPOSITION OF AYN RAND ETHICAL SYSTEM
3.0 Main Issues in Rand’s Theory ………………………………………… 30
3.1 What is Ethics and Why Do We Need Ethics?…………………………………. 31
3.2 Survival As a value…………………………………………………….. 32
3.3. Survival qua Man………………………………………………………… 34
3.4. The Idea of Happiness………………………………………………… 37
3.5. Virtues, Vices, and Egoism…………………………………………… 38
3.6. Refutation of Altruism…………………………………………………. 52
Endnotes……………………………………………………………… 55
CHAPTER FOUR: EVALUATION OF RAND’S ETHICAL SYSTEM
4.1. Relevance for Human Development…………………………………… 57
4.2. Implication of Rational Egoism for Society…………………………… 57
4.2.1. Implication for Moral Judgment……………………………………… 58
4.2.2. Implication for Religion……………………………………………… 59
4.3. Epistemological Implication…………………………………………… 59
4.4. Implication for Human Nature………………………………………… 60
4.5. Ambiguity of the Concept of Value…………………………………… 60
Endnotes……………………………………………………………… 62
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
5.1. Summary……………………………………………………………… 63
5.2. Conclusion……………………………………………………………. 64
Bibliography
INTRODUCTION
Obviously, one of the inherent characteristics of human society across history has been the unequal relationship among people and differences in disposition cover a wide range of human activities and conditions. Some of the conditions are necessitated by nature as opined by some philosophers while others are brought about by structural imbalances in the human society.
This unequal relationship contrasts with the natural and philosophical ideas that all men are born equal. The basis for this conviction is that we are so structured by nature and also endowed with reason and conscience and as such ought to act toward others in a spirit of brotherhood. But then, on the contrary, it is noticed that social equality among individuals and groups in the society has been a willow d’ wisp because of the differences in interests and needs.
With that people in vantage positions tend to exploit, suppress and even mash underfoot the rights of less privileged of the society. The result of this social inequality has been glaring in our social contexts ranging from war, kidnapping, and murder amongst others. No doubt, unequal relationship has created a lot of problems in human society and Rand’s ethical system tends to give vent to such a situation.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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StudentsandScholarship Team.