Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand(Ayn Rand Library)

THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION—The definitive statement of Ayn Rand’s philosophy as interpreted by her best student and chosen heir.   This brilliantly conceived and organized book is Dr. Leonard Peikoff’s classic text on the abstract principles and practical applications of Objectivism, based on his lecture series “The Philosophy of Objectivism.” Ayn Rand said of these lectures: “Until or unless I write a comprehensive treatise on my philosophy, Dr. Peikoff’s course is the only authorized presentation of the entire theoretical structure of Objectivism—that is, the only one that I know of my knowledge to be fully accurate.”   In Objectivism, Peikoff covers every philosophic topic that Rand regarded as important—from certainty to money, from logic to art, from measurement to sex. Drawn from Rand’s published works as well as in-depth conversations between her and Peikoff, these chapters illuminate Objectivism—and its creator—with startling clarity. With Objectivism, the millions of readers who have been transformed by Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead will discover the full philosophical system underlying Ayn Rand’s work.

Table of Contents:
Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand - Leonard Peikoff Acknowledgements Preface Chapter 1: Reality Existence, Consciousness, and Identity as the Basic Axioms Causality as a Corollary of Identity Existence as Possessing Primacy over Consciousness The Metaphysically Given as Absolute Idealism and Materialism as the Rejection of Basic Axioms Chapter 2: Sense Perception and Volition The Senses as Necessarily Valid Sensory Qualities as Real Consciousness as Possessing Identity The Perceptual Level as the Given The Primary Choice as the Choice to Focus or Not Human Actions, Mental and Physical, as Both Caused and Free Volition as Axiomatic Chapter 3: Concept-Formation Differentiation and Integration as the Means to a Unit-Perspective Concept-Formation as a Mathematical Process Concepts of Consciousness as Involving Measurement-Omission Definition as the Final Step in Concept-Formation Concepts as Devices to Achieve Unit-Economy Chapter 4: Objectivity Concepts as Objective Objectivity as Volitional Adherence to Reality by the Method of Logic Knowledge as Contextual Knowledge as Hierarchical Intrinsicism and Subjectivism as the Two Forms of Rejecting Objectivity Chapter 5: Reason Emotions as a Product of Ideas Reason as Man's Only Means of Knowledge The Arbitrary as Neither True nor False Certainty as Contextual Mysticism and Skepticism as Denials of Reason Chapter 6: Man Living Organisms as Goal-Directed and Conditional Reason as Man's Basic Means of Survival Reason as an Attribute of the Individual Chapter 7: The Good "Life" as the Essential Root of "Value" Man's Life as the Standard of Moral Value Rationality as the Primary Virtue The Individual as the Proper Beneficiary of His Own Moral Action Values as Objective Chapter 8: Virtue Independence as a Primary Orientation to Reality, Not to Other Men Integrity as Loyalty to Rational Principles Honesty as the Rejection of Unreality Justice as Rationality in the Evaluation of Men Productiveness as the Adjustment of Nature to Man Pride as Moral Ambitiousness The Initiation of Physical Force as Evil Chapter 9: Happiness Virtue as Practical Happiness as the Normal Condition of Man Sex as Metaphysical Chapter 10: Government Individual Rights as Absolutes Government as an Agency to Protect Rights Statism as the Politics of Unreason Chapter 11: Capitalism Capitalism as the Only Moral Social System Capitalism as the System of Objectivity Opposition to Capitalism as Dependent on Bad Epistemology Chapter 12: Art Art as a Concretization of Metaphysics Romantic Literature as Illustrating the Role of Philosophy in Art Esthetic Value as Objective Epilogue: The Duel Between Plato and Aristotle References Index

About the Author :
Leonard Peikoffis the preeminent Ayn Rand scholar writing today. He worked closely with Rand in New York City for thirty years and was designated by her as heir to her estate. He has taught philosophy at several places, including Hunter College and New York University. Dr. Peikoff is the author ofThe DIM Hypothesis- Why the Lights of the West Are Going OutandThe Cause of Hitler's Germany. He grew up in Western Canada and now lives in Southern California. He alsohosted the national radio talk show "Philosophy- Who Needs It."

Review :
“A revelation...Peikoff is an extraordinary communicator...He brings the most difficult intellectual ideas within the grasp of the general reader.”—Detroit Free Press Praise for Leonard Peikoff   “Offers a truly revolutionary idea…The book is clear, tight, disciplined, beautifully structured, and brilliantly reasoned. Its style is clear and hard as crystal—and as sparkling… As to my personal reaction, I can express it best by paraphrasing a line from Atlas Shrugged: ‘It’s so wonderful to see a great, new, crucial achievement which is not mine!’”—Ayn Rand   “Extraordinarily perceptive…frightening insights…Everyone concerned with the collectivist trend in today’s world should read this book.”—Alan Greenspan   “A fascinating weave of German history, philosophic determinism, and Objectivist polemic.”—Chicago Tribune