Objectivist Philosophy and Capitalism


Objectivism offers an alternative perspective and philosophical precepts for comprehending reality. This philosophy is neither liberal nor conservative; it rejects both and offers a unique worldview. It is a philosophy that is both secular and absolutist. Leonard Peikoff cited Ayn Rand in his book "The Voice of Reason: Essays in Objectivist Thought." Rand described objectivism as having four pillars: metaphysics (objective reality), epistemology (reason), ethics (self-interest), and politics (capitalism).1]

Objectivist metaphysics maintains that there is only one reality, the one in which we exist. Human beings' task is to explore reality. Man gets knowledge about reality through epistemology, which is reason and consciousness. In the philosophy of objectivism, self-interest serves as ethics and morality. It refers to an individual's capacity for independent thought, productivity, and honesty. Politically, it defends capitalism, a social, economic, and political system built on individual rights and constrained government.

The ideas of objectivism offer a philosophical framework that will determine how the world develops, prescribing solutions to its social, economic, and political problems. According to objectivism, reality is an objective, impersonal truth; the facts stand apart from human emotions. The only way to see reality is through reason. It serves as a knowledge base, a manual for action, and a method of survival for man. The man was not meant to make sacrifices for other people. The freedom to pursue one's rational self-interest and happiness is the highest moral goal of a person's existence.

Ayn Rand created a thorough philosophy of life that promotes self-interest, freedom, and human reason. According to objectivism, man is a rational entity with the ability to think, believe, and make decisions. Objectivism promotes logical thinking and a pure laissez-faire system in which physical coercion is avoided in favor of voluntary activities and contracts, forcing individuals to learn and think for themselves. People should be free to make their own decisions as they see fit, as long as they do not use physical force against others. The group notion of identity says that if collective action is required, the individual should lose a feeling of self. According to Ayn Rand, group identity undermines people's freedoms, economic decisions, morals, and self-interest.[2]

According to Ayn Rand, capitalism is the only system allowing economic, social, and political liberty. It opposes the concentration of power and resources. There is a complete separation between the state and economics in pure capitalism, where the government acts as a police force to uphold citizens' rights. Ayn Rand defends capitalism as a system that resists force. For a morally self-interested person who values his freedom and rights, war and conflicts only cause harm. Ayn Rand wrote in her book Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, "Men, who are free to produce, have no motivation to loot; they have nothing to gain by conflict and a great deal to lose." The only system that supports individual rights and discourages coercion and force is capitalism.

Collectivist and centralized nations are the opposites of capitalism. Governments and regimes that wield power and resources limit individual liberty, the free market, and private property. They practice altruism to bring equality and justice, which limits creativity, self-interest, and liberty. Authoritarian governments forbid citizens from making decisions based on reason and self-interest by enacting laws that violate their right to liberty and free will.[3]

The survival of the free world depends on the objectivist ideology. A fresh philosophical framework for the free world is offered by objectivism. Due to logical reasoning, individual freedom, free trade, and self-interest, the world has found solutions to its problems. However, those nations that had fervently embraced liberal principles are now turning back to archaic beliefs. Individual freedom, the free market, spontaneous order, and capitalism are in danger due to the growing government intrusion in their economy and politics. The growth of statism around the world endangers the free world. Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, China, and Russia are harming the free world by propagating conflicting political ideologies. They promote altruism, collectivism, centralization, and command economies while undermining self-interest, reason, individuality, the free market, and self-interest. In addition to providing a solution for the world's rising issues, objectivism also serves as a roadmap for those who want to lead fulfilling lives.


[1] Peikoff, Leonard. “The Voice of Reason: Essays in Objectivist Thought.”

[2] Moseley, Alexander. “A Philosophy of War.”

[3] Biddle, Craig. “What is Objectivism?” Ayn Rand & Objectivism

Nayyar Abbas's passion is writing. He earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science and a master's in Development Studies in Peace and Conflict. He writes about economics, politics, religion, philosophy, and peace. His aim is to highlight classical liberal ideas of economics, politics, and identity changes in a fast-transforming world.

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