Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand (1905–1982) was an American novelist and philosopher who promoted a form of ethical egoism in which a person should always act according to his or her self-interests.
According to Rand, the primary function of morality should be to further our evolutionary survival. Thus, she strongly rejected the prevailing view of altruism in which selfishness is considered evil and the highest good is that of putting the needs of others above oneself. This traditional approach of altruism asks people to adopt an ethic that goes against their natural and primal impulse to survive. It also discourages people from seeking their full potential and greatness. Thus, the old morality should be replaced with a new morality that recognizes the need for people to act in their own best interests first.
Rand’s emphasis on self-interest is not a call for reckless hedonism in which a person simply acts on any desires he or she may have. One’s self-interest must be a rational self-interest in that a person should rationally pursue his or her self-interest in a way that is not destructive to one’s being. For example, the desire to abuse alcohol or drugs would not be valid according to Rand because these lead to destruction and are not in the best interest of the individual. Rand’s approach also does not lead to a negative perspective toward other people. Others are not enemies and individuals should have cordial and productive relationships with others while knowing all along that one’s interests supersede those of others.
One of the leading female philosophers of the twentieth century, Rand is known for two famous fictional books—The Fountainhead (1943) and Atlas Shrugged (1957). She was born in Russia and immigrated to the United States in 1926. An atheist,Rand argued against states that sponsored communism and fascism.