How did Aristotle influence Ayn Rand?

December 2004 — Ayn Rand acknowledged Aristotle as the only philosopher to whom she was indebted, the father of logic who defined “the basic principles of a rational view of existence and of man’s consciousness.” Rand agreed with Aristotle that man’s life should be guided by reason and that the purpose of man’s life …

Which philosophy does Ayn Rand consider to have influenced her?

Objectivism
Rand called her philosophy “Objectivism”, describing its essence as “the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute”.

Was Aristotle an individualist or collectivist?

Although Aristotle’s writings do include a polemic against the more extreme features of Plato’s collectivism, Aristotle himself is not a consistent advocate of political individualism. His own politics is a mixture of statist and antistatist elements.

Is Aristotle a collectivist?

Rather than begin with the good of the individual and build his theory of the good society on that foundation (as we find in theories of natural rights and social contract), Aristotle employed the typical collectivist reasoning that the good of society is paramount; and from there he worked backwards by inferring that …

Did Aristotle believe in individualism?

To cite Aristotle as the father of individualism and popular government may, at first glance, seem implausible. After all, Aristotle did not think that individual freedom is the highest political value. Indeed, he explicitly advocates using state co- ercion to morally improve citizens.

What philosophy does Ayn Rand hold Aristotle in the highest regard?

Ayn Rand holds Aristotle in the highest regard and utilizes his conception of selfishness as the philosophical underpinning for her version of egoism and objectivism.

What is Ayn Rand’s view on altruism?

Ayn Rand rejected altruism, and in fact, blamed it for the plight of human civilization, and with the presumed backing of Aristotle, wrote fervently in support of self-interest and rational egoism in The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, and in her other writings.

Who is the father of individualism Ayn Rand?

Yet, according to Rand, “Aristotle is the father of Individualism” (Letters of Ayn Rand, 17 April 1948). “It took centuries of intellectual, philosophical development to achieve political freedom. It was a long struggle, stretching from Aristotle to John Locke to the Founding Fathers.

What is Ayn Rand’s philosophy of human nature?

In her own words, her philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute. (Rand 1957 [1992]: Afterword)