THE VIRTUE OF SELFISHNESS IN AYN RAND: AN EVALUATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.4 Method of the Study

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Scope of the Study

1.7 Clarification of Terms

Endnotes

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

Endnotes

CHAPTER THREE: SELFISHNESS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF RAND

3.1 Ayn Rand’s Life and works in Perspective

3.3 Definition of Selfishness in Ayn Rand’s Philosophy

3.4 The Importance of Self-Interest

3.5 The Rejection of Altruism

3.6 The Connection between Selfishness and Individualism

3.7 The Ethical Implications of selfishness

3.8 The Impact on Society and Relationships.

Endnotes

CHAPTER FOUR: EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION

4.1 Evaluation

4.2 Conclusion
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The phrase “Virtue of Selfishness” sounds contradictory and abnormal to the ears

and minds of many people as Selfishness is often perceived to be a vice rather than

a virtue. The contemporary world today often classifies one’s self-interested

actions to be Selfish; hence, a vice since the person would have been selfless or

taken action for the good of the majority rather than seeking for self interest.

The awful perception of Selfishness in the world today has pushed a lot of people

who would have sought or prioritize their self interest in some situations to be

biased on themselves and thus, make decisions that are of much detriment to

themselves. Some persons has, in order not to be tagged selfish, made decisions

that has become irrevocable and has marred them and their future still. These are

the driving forces that led to the writing of this work.

The provocative title of Ayn Rand’s The Virtue of Selfishness matches an equally

provocative thesis about ethics. Traditional ethics has always been suspicious of

self interest, praising acts that are selfless in intent and calling amoral or immoral

actions that are motivated by self interest. A self-interested person, on the

traditional view, will not consider the interests of others and so will slight or harm

those interests in the pursuit of his own.

understood, is the standard of morality and selflessness is the deepest

immorality”.1

According to Ayn Rand, “Self interest rightly understood, is to see oneself as an

end in oneself.That is to say that one’s own life and happiness are one’s highest

values, and that one does not exist as a servant or slave to the interests of others.

Nor do others exist as servants or slaves to one’s own interests. Each person’s own

life and happiness is his ultimate end”2

While some praise Rand’s ideas for their radical departure from conventional

morality, others criticize her philosophy for its lack of empathy and disregard for

social responsibility.

Selfishness as a concept is and remains a topic of debate in the philosophical

enterprise. Ayn Rand, a very influential Philosopher and Novelist developed a

unique perspective on Selfishness in her book “The Virtue of Selfishness” where

she established a new concept of Egoism and argued that Selfishness is a moral

virtue and admonished individuals to prioritize their self-interest above all other

things.More so, that self-interest or Selfishness is necessary for self growth and

improvement.
1.2 Statement of the Problem

Already, the title of this work has evoked certain questions as to why do one use

the word ‘selfishness’ to denote virtuous qualities of character.

In popular usage, the word “Selfishness” is a synonym of evil; the image it

conjures is a murderous brute that tramples over piles of corpses to achieve his

own ends, who cares for no living being and pursues nothing but the gratification

of the mindless whims of any immediate moment. Yet, the exact meaning and

dictionary definition of the word “Selfishness” is: concern with one’s own

interests.3Hence, the debate as to if Selfishness is a virtue or not.

However, the problem addressed here is to bring to limelight, Rand’s view of

selfishness as a virtue and its implication to the contemporary society. Also, the

concept of Selfishness and its role in the ethical decision making as well as

overemphasizing rational egoism and rejection of altruism as applied in the world

today.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The objective of the study is to analyze and evaluate Rand’s concept of “The

Virtue of Selfishness”, in order to provide grounds, evidence, proofs and

arguments for its validity and meaningfulness. The study will focus on

understanding the implications of this concept and how it is contrasted to the

the question, ‘Is it really a Virtue to be Selfish?’.

More so, the study will provide a redefined and comprehensive understanding and

view of Selfishness and its potential benefits and as well, bring to limelight, the

implications of Selfishness to human development and morality. The study will as

well showcase the complexity of ethical decision making and will further bring to

limelight, the role of self-interest in molding our moral values and actions.

The study will further explore the philosophical foundation of Rand’s ideas, her

views on individualism, rational egoism and her rejection of altruism as well as

challenge the traditional concept of altruism and Selflessness.

This research work will examine the strengths and weaknesses of Rand’s

arguments, exploring their implications for contemporary society and ethical

discourse.

1.4 Method of the Study

The method of this study will be based on expository, analysis and evaluation.

These methods will aid to expose Rand’s view of selfishness as a virtue; and will

further evaluate and analyze these ideas and its implications to the contemporary

society.
1.5 Significance of the Study

In the modern world today, individualism and self-interest (selfishness) are often

seen as negative traits. We are in an era marked by increasing collectivism and

conformity; a society that places a high value on self-sacrifice and putting others’

needs before one’s own. Rand’s idea provides a refreshing and thought-provoking

perspective.Rand argues that, acting in one’s own self-interest is not only morally

acceptable, but actually necessary for living a fulfilling and happy life.

The significance of the study hence, lies on her admonishment that people should

focus on their own happiness and well-being; and this has in the contemporary

world today, influenced many areas of life, from business to politics to personal

relationships. Its significance also lies in its promotion of rational self-interest and

its emphasis on individualism and personal freedom.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This research work will be limited to a viriety of ideas and thoughts begining with

those Ayn Rand’s views on virtue of selfishness as a challenge to traditional notion

that altruism and selflessness are always the most moral choices and that

selfishness is a vice; hence urging individuals to prioritize their self-interest as a

morally acceptable act and a necessity for living a fulfilling and happy life.
This work will also be limited to Nathaniel Brendan’s ideas and contributions to

the works of Rand. Also, other positions of philosoiphers and scholars would be

adobted to help bring out the implicit unsdertone and contemporary implications of

Rand’s concept (both positive and negative).

This research work will not claim to exhaust all there is, in Ayn Rand on Virtue of

Selfishness, but serious efforts will be made to sap out all the essentials embedded

in the concept.

1.7 Clarification of Terms

Sometimes, words are very ambiguous and as such could provide occasions of

trifle if not explained properly. Simplest use of tenses and grammar would be

employed for the sake of clarification and avoiding ambiguity of words.

1.7.1 Virtue

According to online oxford dictionary, virtue means behavior showing high moral

standards.4 According to Cambridge dictionary, virtue is a good moral quality in a

person, or the general quality of being morally good.5

The term virtue has been defined by various authors and philosophers in various

ways. For Aristotle, virtue is that human act which stands in the middle(virtu in

medio stat). That is; it is that action that is neither excessive nor in defective but in

the right measure.6 Aquinas also defined virtue as “Bonus operandi Habitus”,

which means “The good operating habit”.7

and or keeps a value.

The term virtue is most often used today to refer to ‘one who does not do

something bad’.

1.7.2 Selfishness

Ordinarily, the word Selfishness refers to holding one's own self-interest as the

standard for decision making. Having regard for oneself above others’ well-being.

According to online Cambridge Dictionary, Selfishness refers to the quality of

thinking only of your own advantage.⁸

According to Merriam Webster dictionary, Selfishness can be defined, thus: as

“concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself; seeking or concentrating on

one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. Arising

from concern with one’s own welfare or advantage in disregard of others; a selfish

act”.⁹

But in the context of this work, Selfishness rightly understood, according to Rand,

is to see oneself as an end in oneself.¹⁰

For Ayn Rand, a selfish person is a person who pursues his goals and is guided by

reason, not by instantaneous whims or emotions. Such selfishness is also called

rational.
Endnotes

¹ Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism, (New York: New American
Library,1964). p.8
² Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism, (New York: New American
Library,1964). p.15
³ Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism, (New York: New American
Library,1964). p.10
⁴ www.oxfordlearnersdictionary.com. Accessed, November 9th, 2023.
⁵ www.dictionary.cambridge.com. Accessed November 9th, 2023.
⁶ Chiwuba A. M. Ibe, Virtue Ethics: The Recourse to The Problem of Rectitude and Civility in Africa,
(Owerri: Uzopiero Publishing Company, 2017). p. 2
⁷ Chiwuba A. M. Ibe, Virtue Ethics: The Recourse to The Problem of Rectitude and Civility in Africa,
(Owerri: Uzopiero Publishing Company, 2017). p. 2
⁸ www.dictionary.cambridge.com. Accessed November 20th, 2023.
⁹ www.merriam-webster.com. Accessed November 20th, 2023.