Ayn Rand - Her Philosophy in Two Minutes

Learn more about Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism—a philosophy for living on earth.

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ARI offers educational experiences, based on Ayn Rand's books and ideas, to a variety of audiences, including students, educators, policymakers and lifelong learners. ARI also engages in research and advocacy efforts, applying Rand's ideas to current issues and seeking to promote her philosophical principles of reason, rational self-interest and laissez-faire capitalism. We invite you to explore how Ayn Rand viewed the world — and to consider the distinctive insights offered by ARI's experts today.

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[dougb]

0:06 - So you didn't know how to pronounce her name either?

[jackmclean]

so, the happiness of the individual is the most important thing. But this works as a society because we each respect everyone elses right to pursue their own self interest. but exactly what happens when your interests and someone elses are in direct conflict

[seaotter]

"Is a man entitled to the sweat of his brow? 'No, ' says the man in Washington, 'it belongs to the poor.' 'No, ' says the man in the Vatican, 'it belongs to God.' 'No, ' says the man in Moscow, 'it belongs to everyone.' I rejected those answers. Instead, I chose something different. I chose the impossible; I chose Rapture."

[Righhhhhtttt]

"My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose."
Anthem by Ayn Rand

[Mr_Feller]

It took almost my entire life to understand what she was onto, but ultimately my interpretation is that there are things you can do at 15 you can’t do at 25. Things at 25 you can’t do at 35. Things you’ll never be able to do again by the time you’re 45 and so on. So, while you have opportunity in front of you, don’t lose sight of them over the impositions of others wishes who are peripheral to what will make your life more meaningful. Otherwise, you may forfeit the most productive years of your life for a cause that was ultimately self destructive by nature. Making those misspent years a tragedy twice over.

[notyetdeleted]

To those who worry for others, you cannot help them until you yourself are good.

If helping those which need it what brings you happiness, do it. That is the rational approach to your own self interest.

[federalisticnewyorkians]

Actually it's only 1 sentence: I shall live for no man nor allow any man to live for me.It's only the definition of life that is in the question.

[strongfp]

The crazy part about her philosophy to me was; I was reading her book the Virtue of selfishness at the same time as reading Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. And they actually went hand in hand quite well. I think I know where she got some of her ideology from...

[zersky]

My favorite part about her is when her niece asked her for $25 (this was when she was rich) she sent back a wall of text saying that she’ll lend the money, but that she has to prioritize paying it back, no excuse unless there’s a serious illness, must be paid back in installments, and that not paying it back will be considered embezzlement and she would never speak to her again lmao

[eggory]

Have to say, this is a pretty good video.

[palmtoptiaga]

Summary of Objectivism
Objective reality - Metaphysics
Reason - Epistemology
Self interest - Ethics
Capitalism - Politics

[vvalasek]

This life is all you have. Make the most of it

[tombristowe]

So....make a shallow video about a complicated subject, shoe-horn it into two minutes and play loud, driving music over the top of it....pure genius.

[A_A_K_]

sound and fury, signifying not very much - a tempest in a cracked teapot

[crazedautisticanarchist]

A very good introduction to her Philosophies. Even with a bias in favor of it you still kept it fairly neutral and didn't misrepresent it good job.

[credterfe]

The basic idea is rational self interest pursued without doing harm to others. The issue becomes what constitutes "rational" .

[macsnafu]

Nice short video of the basics, especially the part about selfishness not including the right to exploit other people or prevent them from pursuing their own self-interest. Many critics overlook that, or pretend that the philosophy doesn't say that.

[andybb]

Intresting. I think I will go now to my public library and read one of her books.

[MrPelikan]

1:43 *“If you know that this life is all that you have, wouldn’t you make the most of it?”* ... enlightened self-interest

[FirehawkVFX]

Two logical problems stand out to me. 1) Reality is not just what it is, but also can become what we can imagine, which is important. Humans can change things. 2) Selfishness definitely CAN mean exploiting others for their own gain. Ignorance of that means you are not equipped to deal with psychopathy / sociopathy, and that is why many communities founded on utopian ideals do not succeed. An extension of this relevent to world problems today is - for direct democracy / organising power to transcend monkey brain limits, any system must have engineered into it awareness of these limits. Democracy 2.0 will need to understand the flaws within ourselves and build parity into collaborative decision making to have a better immune system against corruption.