Ayn Rand

Question 1

when was she alive?

Answer 1

1905-82
was a New Right conservative

Question 2

defining work?

Answer 2

Atlas Shrugged (1957)- set her as one of America’s most influential libertarians
talented ppl instead of ambitious govts. were at heart of successful society

Question 3

what was another work?

Answer 3

‘The Virtue of Selfishness’ (1964)
explained a philosophical system she called ‘objectivism’
we should all be fulfilled by self-interest and ‘rational self-fulfillment’

Question 4

what term did she become associated with?

Answer 4

atomism- a society defined by autonomous ppl independently seeking self-fulfillment + self-realisation

Question 5

opinions on capitalism?

Answer 5

laissez-faire capitalism
renewal of negative liberty- philosophical justification for ‘rolling back frontiers of the state’, tax cuts, and privatisation

Question 6

what did she defend?

Answer 6

free markets
an individual’s ‘right to choose’ in areas of gayness/abortion

Question 7

what did she reject?

Answer 7

suggestions of anarchism- free markets + cultural laissez-faire needed parameters of a small state

Question 8

what were her main ideas?

Answer 8

altruism=evil
selfishness is a virtue
reality is objective
reason is all we need to understand the world
own selfish happiness should be pursued

Question 8

how did she strengthen her connection to capitalism?

Answer 8

stated that liberty was impossible without order + security
support for ultra-conservative Republican candidate Barry Goldwater in 1964 election
‘the small state is the strong state’

Question 9

what did she hate?

Answer 9

communism + religion- totalitarian regimes/authority

Question 9

was she religious?

Answer 9

atheist- lived non-traditionally

Question 10

what did she say about reason?

Answer 10

‘man’s only means of perceiving reality […] his basic means of survival’