Objectivism

1. Existence, Consciousness, and Identity: The Unbreakable Foundation

Existence exists—and the act of grasping that statement implies two corollary axioms: that something exists which one perceives and that one exists possessing consciousness, consciousness being the faculty of perceiving that which exists.

Axiomatic Truths. Objectivism begins with three self-evident axioms: existence exists, consciousness exists, and identity exists. These are not assumptions but fundamental facts, directly perceived and undeniable. They are the bedrock upon which all knowledge is built.

• Existence: That which is; the sum of all that exists.
• Consciousness: The faculty of perceiving that which exists.
• Identity: A thing is itself; A is A.

Interdependence. These axioms are not isolated concepts but are interconnected. The act of grasping existence implies consciousness, and the concept of existence implies identity. They are the irreducible primaries of all cognition. Any attempt to deny them necessarily reaffirms them.

Starting Point. These axioms are not subject to proof because they are the starting points of all proof. They are self-evident, known through sense perception, and are the foundation for all subsequent knowledge. They are the base from which all other concepts and principles are derived.

2. Causality: The Law of Action and Entity

The law of causality is the law of identity applied to action. All actions are caused by entities. The nature of an action is caused and determined by the nature of the entities that act; a thing cannot act in contradiction to its nature.

Entity and Action. Causality is not a separate law but a corollary of identity. Every entity has a specific nature, and its actions are determined by that nature. Actions are not floating events but are always actions of entities.

• Entities: Things that exist, with specific attributes.
• Actions: What entities do, determined by their nature.

Necessity of Action. An entity cannot act apart from or against its nature. The law of identity (A is A) dictates that an entity must act in accordance with its specific characteristics. This means that the same cause will always lead to the same effect.

Causality is Universal. Causality is a universal law of reality, independent of consciousness. It is not a subjective construct or a feature imposed by some external agency. It is inherent in the nature of existence itself.

3. Primacy of Existence: Reality Before Thought

Existence precedes consciousness, because consciousness is consciousness of an object.

Dependent Consciousness. Consciousness is not the creator of reality but a faculty for perceiving it. Existence is primary, and consciousness is secondary, dependent on something to be conscious of.

• Existence: The independent reality that exists regardless of consciousness.
• Consciousness: The faculty that perceives and grasps existence.

Rejection of Primacy of Consciousness. The opposite view, that consciousness creates reality, is rejected. This view leads to mysticism, subjectivism, and all forms of irrationality. The primacy of existence is the foundation of reason and objectivity.

Extrospection as the Path to Knowledge. Knowledge of the external world can only be gained through extrospection, i.e., by observing the facts of reality. Introspection is necessary for understanding one's own consciousness, but not for understanding the external world.

4. The Metaphysically Given: Accepting the Absolute

The metaphysically given cannot be true or false, it simply is—and man determines the truth or falsehood of his judgments by whether they correspond to or contradict the facts of reality.

Immutable Facts. The metaphysically given refers to facts inherent in existence, independent of human action. These facts are absolute, necessary, and cannot be altered by human will or consciousness.

• Examples: The laws of physics, the nature of living organisms, the fact of death.

Man-Made vs. Metaphysically Given. Man-made facts, such as laws, institutions, and social practices, are products of human choice and can be evaluated as right or wrong. The metaphysically given, however, must be accepted as it is.

Rejection of Rewriting Reality. The attempt to alter or deny the metaphysically given is a form of evasion and a rejection of reality. It leads to a conflict between one's desires and the facts of existence.

5. Sense Perception: Valid, Not a Deception

The task of [man’s] senses is to give him the evidence of existence, but the task of identifying it belongs to his reason, his senses tell him only that something is, but what it is must be learned by his mind.

Senses as Axiomatic. The validity of the senses is an axiom, a self-evident truth that cannot be proven but is the basis of all proof. The senses are the primary means of awareness, providing direct contact with reality.

Senses as Automatic. Sense organs respond automatically to stimuli, without the power to invent, distort, or deceive. They provide evidence of what exists, but they do not interpret or identify it.

Mind as Interpreter. The mind is responsible for interpreting and identifying sensory data. Errors arise not from the senses themselves but from the mind's misinterpretations or faulty conclusions. Sensory illusions are not errors of perception but rather a testament to the senses' ability to register all aspects of reality.

6. Volition: The Choice to Focus or Evade

To think is an act of choice.... In any hour and issue of your life, you are free to think or to evade that effort.

Conceptual Level is Not Automatic. Unlike sensory perception, the conceptual level of consciousness is not automatic. It requires a volitional act, a choice to focus one's mind.

Focus as a Primary Choice. The primary choice is to focus one's consciousness, to engage in a purposeful, goal-directed mental activity. The alternative is to drift, to remain in a state of mental blur or fog.

Evasion as Active Unfocusing. Evasion is the deliberate act of unfocusing one's mind to avoid facing a particular fact or idea. It is a form of self-deception and a rejection of reality.

7. Concepts: The Bridge Between Perception and Knowledge

A concept is a mental integration of two or more units possessing the same distinguishing characteristic(s), with their particular measurements omitted.

Units and Similarities. Concepts are formed by identifying similarities among entities and integrating them into a single mental unit. This process involves abstraction, the ability to focus on specific attributes while omitting their particular measurements.

Measurement-Omission. The process of concept-formation involves retaining the characteristics of entities while omitting their specific measurements. This allows for the creation of abstract categories that apply to an unlimited number of instances.

Language as a Tool. Language is essential for conceptualization, providing a code of symbols that represent concepts and make them retainable. Words transform concepts into mental entities, and definitions provide them with identity.

8. Objectivity: The Method of Reason

To be “objective” in one’s conceptual activities is volitionally to adhere to reality by following certain rules of method, a method based on facts and appropriate to man’s form of cognition.

Conformity to Reality. Objectivity is not a passive state but an active process of conforming one's mind to reality. It requires a commitment to facts and a rejection of subjective feelings or arbitrary beliefs.

Logic as the Method. Logic is the method of non-contradictory identification, the means by which one integrates new knowledge with existing knowledge without contradiction. It is the tool for achieving objectivity.

Objectivity as a Choice. Objectivity is not automatic but requires a volitional choice to focus on reality and to follow the rules of logic. It is a commitment to truth and a rejection of evasion.

9. Life as the Standard: The Basis of All Values

It is only the concept of ‘Life’ that makes the concept of ‘Value’ possible.

Life as the Ultimate Value. The concept of "value" is derived from the fundamental alternative of life or death. Life is the ultimate value, the standard by which all other values are judged.

• Value: That which one acts to gain and/or keep.

Goal-Directed Action. Living organisms are goal-directed entities, acting to sustain their lives. This goal-directedness is the basis for the concept of value.

Man's Life as the Standard. For man, a rational being, the standard of value is his own life, the requirements of his survival as a rational being. This standard is the basis for all moral judgments.

10. Rationality: The Primary Virtue

Reason does not work automatically; thinking is not a mechanical process; the connections of logic are not made by instinct. The function of your stomach, lungs or heart is automatic; the function of your mind is not.

Reason as the Tool of Survival. Reason is man's basic means of survival, his tool for gaining knowledge and guiding action. It is the faculty that identifies and integrates the material provided by the senses.

Rationality as a Choice. Rationality is not automatic but requires a volitional commitment to think, to focus, and to follow the rules of logic. It is the primary virtue, the foundation of all other virtues.

Irrationality as the Root of Evil. Irrationality, the rejection of reason, is the root of all evil. It is the act of evading reality, of placing feelings above facts, and of abandoning the pursuit of knowledge.

11. Justice: The Moral Evaluation of Men

Justice is the act of acknowledging that which exists.

Objective Judgment. Justice is the virtue of judging men's character and conduct objectively, based on their actions and their adherence to moral principles. It is the act of giving each man what he deserves.

Rejection of Subjectivity. Justice is not based on feelings, whims, or arbitrary standards. It requires a rational assessment of facts and a consistent application of moral principles.

The Trader Principle. Justice in action is the application of the trader principle, the principle of giving value for value, of rewarding virtue and condemning vice. It is the rejection of both unearned rewards and unearned punishments.

12. Productiveness and Pride: The Path to Happiness

To live, man must hold three things as the supreme and ruling values of his life: Reason—Purpose—Self-esteem.

Productiveness as a Spiritual Need. Productiveness is not merely a means of material survival but a spiritual necessity, the process by which man's consciousness controls his existence. It is the act of creating values and shaping reality to fit one's purpose.

Pride as Moral Ambitiousness. Pride is the commitment to achieve one's own moral perfection, the pursuit of virtue as an end in itself. It is the recognition of one's own worth and the refusal to settle for anything less than the best.

Happiness as a Consequence. Happiness is the state of non-contradictory joy that proceeds from the achievement of one's values. It is the emotional reward for a life lived by reason, purpose, and self-esteem.

Last updated: January 20, 2025