The Virtue of Selfishness

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Exposition on Government as well as Philosophy
Review: Rand's explanation of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights is very impressive. She has a grasp of the exact principles that the Founding Fathers intended. I would recommend this book not only to the beginning philosopher, but also to students of government, politics, and ethics.

Rating:
Summary: An overall fascinating and powerful book.
Review: A powerful work written in an eloquent and concise manner. The chapter "The Objectivist Ethics" outlines from the ground up why she believes as she does and what she defines as morality. The chapters called "The Monument Builders", "Man's Rights", "Collectivized "Rights"", and "The conflict of Men's Interests" should be required reading in all philosophy classes. This is a wonderful compilation of essays, which rivals "The Voice of Reason" as one of her best.

Rating:
Summary: Exceptional! A must read for any student of reaon.
Review: As an associate professor of ethics, I have the "Virtue of Selfishness" as required reading in all of my classes. I have found that this book has a tremendous impact on the thinking and therefore the lives of most of my students.

Rating:
Summary: A must read!
Review: I enjoyed this book like no other in my extensive Ayn Rand collection. The clear, rational thought that echoed throughout this book gave a new meaning to my understandings of Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. The collection of essays seemed to say just what I've been repeating to myself for years now. It is great to see Rand's magnificant philosophy so clearly and non-metaphorically described so as to see Objectivism with a new, practical light. This is a must read for everyone!

Rating:
Summary: Not serious philosophy
Review: Ayn Rand fails to set forth a rational or consistent system of ethics, in spite of what her followers say. For example, she states that a man's life is his highest standard of value. However, why then should someone be concerned with another's rights? Why should someone give his life for his country in time of war? These are just a couple of problems with her ethics. Lastly, for someone who professed to believe in "reason," there is a lot name calling, invective, etc. in Rand's writings.

Rating:
Summary: Read this one first
Review: No other book came close to conveying the way I felt and the way I thought when I read this at the age of 19. I had the unique opportunity of reading this philosophical overview BEFORE I read her works of fiction and it was extremely valuable to know exactly where Rand was coming from at all times when I did read Anthem, We the Living, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged. Also includes an excellent introduction to the writings of renowned psychologist Nathaniel Branden, whose essays I actually prefer over Rand's. Check out Branden's "Six Pillars of Self-Esteem". All of these books proved exciting reads and were literally inhaled in the matter of a couple of months.

Rating:
Summary: Collection of essays-unique, accessible intro to philosophy
Review: Ayn Rand--love her or hate her, this philosopher made history, challenging accepted assumptions and cheerfully slaughtering sacred cows with crystal-clear reason. Most famous for Atlas Shrugged and other formidable novels, she also expressed her views in brief, pithy essays. This slim volume of her essays from the 1960s is a painless introduction to the startling ideas of this unique figure, whose novelistic skills were arguably different from her philosophical ones. The world will never look the same aftera view through Rand's prism

Rating:
Summary: Interesting read.
Review: This is probably one of maybe fifty books that everyone should read in high school or college. Although the debate around the title subject is frankly a bit on the semantic side (Is it truly "selfish" to let someone drown even if you WANT them to not?), there are ideas and ideals here that just about everyone can borrow at least parts from in formulating their own world view.

Rating:
Summary: A Moral Compass
Review: This work is required reading for anyone to intelligently discuss Rand's ideas. Objectivism is a sort of organic philosophy--from its ethics spring its politics and aesthetics. These will not be grasped outside the context of this work. That addressed the importance of VOS in the context of Objectivism. Of course, VOS is marvelous for the task of day to day living. It provides a conceptual framework to consider one's actions and those of others--a moral compass. This is significant because most operate with vague and largely emotion-driven views of right and wrong. In addition, Rand dispels a great many myths about egoism and altruism. Perhaps the most profound is the false dichotomy that man must either be an altruist or a crook. She lays the foundation for the trader--the man who operates on the premise of value for value. I expect a reader of this work will find it has no comparison.

Rating:
Summary: Enter At Your Own Risk
Review: This may be one of the great works of all time. It is not for everyone.

Ayn Rand's The Virtue of Selfishness is a powerful statement of part of her philosophy, Objectivism. Specifically, it is a collection of essays dealing with the Ethics of her philosophy. She advocates "rational selfishness" as being opposed to selflessness or altruism. She advocates that people act to make themselves healthy and happy--that this is good, and not something for which people should suffer guilt. She argues that people should not feel compelled to make sacrifices for others, which stands in direct opposition to most mainstream ethical systems, such as Christianity (which is based upon a sacrifice, after all).

It is controversial and in-your-face. Rand holds nothing back. She does not pretend to have sympathy for other points of view. She says that what she has to say is true, and then attempts to prove it. Whether you finally agree with her or not, one of the most refreshing aspects of reading Rand is her honesty. She does not try to hide her opinions. Everything is clearly laid out. The writing is concise, using words neither larger than necessary nor smaller. She defines her terms as she goes, aiming for complete understanding. You will never read a writer (and especially in philosophy) who displays more respect for her reader. She dares you to disagree--to prove her wrong.

On the other hand, as I say, Rand is not for everyone, and for precisely the same reasons that make her such a compelling read. If you have any sacred cows going in, they will likely be butchered. It can be quite uncomfortable to have your most basic beliefs threatned and attacked outright, and thus a little introspection prior to reading this may be best.

This book is designed for: people who are comfortable in debate-type situations; people who are earnestly interested in "truth", even if said truth hurts; people who believe in the power of logic, and follow it to its conclusions; people who respect candor and honest argumentation; people who are used to challenging conventional wisdom and questioning everything.

I picked up this book because I knew of Rand's basic assertions and I thought she was dead wrong. I wanted to read her reasoning and tear it apart.... It didn't work out that way. :) She convinced me through the raw power of her arguments, evidence and logic. As my title states, Enter At Your Own Risk. The Virtue of Selfishness is a powerful little tome.