Examples of Objectivism

Objectivism is a philosophical concept that can be a bit difficult to fully understand. However, the main focus of objectivism is that the greatest possible moral good in life is happiness and that people have certain, specific ways that they can go about obtaining this ultimate good. Ultimately though, the true happiness results from doing what is best for the individual.

Basics About Objectivism

What It Is

Objectivism is a philosophical idea that was created by the author Ayn Rand. An objectivist is a person who follows certain moral guidelines such as:

• Not taking what he/she does not deserve
• Developing a sense of self sustainability
• Respecting the rights of other human beings

Ultimately, the objectivist achieves true happiness through his or her works, attitudes and behaviors.

As an atheist, Rand posed her theory in opposition to God and religion. She claimed that her moral guidelines and rules were based on reason and humanity as opposed to emotion and faith

Objectivism in Everyday Life

• A person who works hard on a farm his entire life to be completely self sustaining.
• A person who rejects the rules of religion and ultimate happiness with God and instead focuses on his own ultimate happiness.
• A woman who carves out a plan for the rest of her life that includes the principles of reason, purpose and self esteem. 
• A corporation that, while using ethical business practices, still has the main goal of being the absolute best in the field.
• Engaging in actions that will lead to long term happiness as opposed to short term pleasure.
• Making decisions that are based on reason as opposed to emotions and that which cannot be seen.
• If a person is attacked they should use any force or weapons available to stop the attacker.
• A person who is opposed to slavery and the practice of owning another human being. 
• A person who tells a lie in order to protect his or her family, friends or other people. 
• Believing in the concept that all of knowledge is reached through reasoning.
• Believing that people feel and know what is right, wrong, moral, ethical in the world. 
• People develop their concepts of reality through language and abstract thoughts. 
• Believing in the idea that there are no contradictions in the real world.

While some of these ideas may seem a bit abstract, they tend to have common themes behind them.

Common Threads in Objectivism

Some of the concepts of objectivism can be a bit hard to grasp, particularly in a world that is dominated by religious and political morals.

What is common amongst these different scenarios is the idea that the greatest good in the world is to be happy. Each individual person should be working toward what makes him or her happy, as long as it is not done at the expense of another person or people.

Additionally, objectivism does focus on there being a truth in the world. However, in general, the objectivist theory or followers of objectivism will say that the greatest truth is not God or any other concepts having to do with religion.