Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand

This is the best single book that actually explains, straight out, what Objectivism is all about. There's alot I just don't agree with here, but you can't fault the presentation: Peikoff starts at the beginning, at the basest of metaphysics, and works his way down to the very nitty-gritty, complete with quotes from Rand's fiction. The style is dry. It's not what I would call a "fun read". It's extremely information-dense. But then again, that's what I wanted in a book like this. Rand's books are art: this book is the user's manual to a microwave.

A thorough presentation of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism, from its foundational axioms in metaphysics, to its views on epistemology, ethics, politics, and art. Logically organized and easily readable. Leonard Peikoff, the author of this book, was a friend and student of Ayn Rand's for over 30 years, and was designated by her as her "intellectual heir", so no one is better qualified than he is to write this book

Peikoff describes how philosophy is the only field abstract enough to cover everything else and very succinctly conveys Ayn's ideas about the debate between Plato and Aristotle as it has progressed through the ages. Kant set the stage for the modern era and the ideas of Aristotle were never fully recognized because they were not quite fully connected back to the basic axioms.

"The book presents Ayn Rand's entire philosophy, building it up step by step from its axiomatic base to its value-implications for man's life—from 'existence exists' to egoism in ethics, capitalism in politics and Romanticism in esthetics. The 12 terse chapter headings are indicative of the book's essentialized, absolutist approach: Reality, Sense Perception and Volition, Concept-Formation, Objectivity, Reason, Man, The Good, Virtue, Happiness, Government, Capitalism, and Art. The book is the product and pinnacle of a lifetime devoted to understanding Objectivism."

A comprehensive overview of Ayn Rand's Objectivist philosophy.

Indispensible.

3/30/22