The Virtue of Selfishness (Signet) by Ayn Rand
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Book Reviews of The Virtue of Selfishness (Signet)
Book Review: Individualism and self-interest lead to an enlightened world
Summary: 5 Stars
Far from offering an excuse to be wantonly self-interested, Rand compels the reader to understand the difference between irrational whim and reasoned self-interest. This book is no primer for the would be hedonist. Rather, it is a call to anyone who seeks to find and honest and rational lens through which to view the modern world.The reader is advised to persevere through the initial chapters as the author lays out the case for why she wrote the book. Once a foundation for discussion has been laid, you are exposed to Ms. Rand's clarity of thought and visionary understanding of the times we live in. The book is peppered with references to "today" (meaning the early 1960's when the book was written) that sound like they were written TODAY!
This book would also benefit anyone who seeks to understand the Objectivist philosophy that is the basis for Ayn Rand's two monumental novels, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead.
I plan to read it over and over, until I have it committed to heart.
Book Review: What's in a Word?
Summary: 5 Stars
"Selfishness." Nearly everyone cringes when they either hear that term or scream in horror when accused of being it. Why? Miss Rand points out, in this book and in her novels, just how corrupted this term has become and how its accepted meaning is the exact opposite today.It is precisely this term that should be revered by all who want to live a moral life. Yet we are smothered by 'selflessness.' In reality, to be selfish, means to possess self-esteem. To live by reason, accepting no substitute for the judgement of your rational mind.
All the acts of true selflessness: drunk driving, drug abuse, dictatorship's and dictator's, I could go on--the list is quite long--are falsely ascribed as 'being selfish' when in fact, they are acts of those who lack a self. Consider: are men who lust for power, who want to rule others "selfish?"Think about it. Men who are self-possessed seek neither to rule or be ruled, but to live free to achieve whatever their level of abilities can attain for them. Think about it.
Book Review: awesome---escape the mindlock
Summary: 5 Stars
#1 Read the virtue of selfishness#2 realise that every pseudo-work about rand to discredit her is mere horse puky
#3 realise how no author argues with rands point---they all try n say she is somehow evil by nature----or "wierd"
#4 realise RAnd is right on the money
#5 read the New intellectual----it was my favorite
#6 Read cvapitalism---the unknown ideal---its an awesome read
#7 Realise that USA is unique----and that Rand was heavily read in the Ron Reagan white house-----the top president in 20th century for economy
#8 Realise that when a woman in CA can have sex behind her husbands back, then take her kids to an other country, and demand half his money, ...---this si the result of not haivng private property----the result of having no philosophy!!!
#9 read some ayn rand books and see for yourself----it is amazing that teachers don't expose children to these book earlier in the interest of intelectual reading ...
Book Review: "Fie! Thou Rand-hating Hecklers!"
Summary: 5 Stars
"Fie!, Thou Rand-Hating Hecklers..."
I just finished reading The Virtue of Selfishness and found Ayn Rand's ideas to be insightful and meaningful. Rand's concept of "rational selfishness" is quite new and unique, and it certainly is not "satanic." (Myth or not, Satan was certainly not rational since he believed himself to be superior to his Creator. And he was certainly not selfish, because if he HAD been, he would have quickly repented to save his "self" from eternal damnation in the lake of fire).
I don't find Objectivism to be incompatible with Christianity: Jesus himself said to "love thy neighbor as thyself," the Self being the primary and most natural standard of reference....
Book Review: What a Mind!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had many misconceptions about Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. I
suppose it is because she has always been marginalized as sort of the
lunatic fringe. Her atheism, a necessary component for strict
adherence to her philosophy, is probably most responsible for tagging
her with that status. But, I now can understand why her philosophy
strikes such fear in the hearts of statists. It is a level of fear
only stark truth can evoke.
"Virtue" is a very well written work and more easily understood that
most of the economic books I continue to wade through. Her clarity of
thought is most remarkable, as she offers explanations consistent with
both nature and reason.