Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand (Ayn Rand Library) [Paperback]

Leonard Peikoff (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 1, 1993 | Series: Ayn Rand Library

This brilliantly conceived and organized book is based on a lecture course given by Dr. Leonard Peikoff in 1976, entitled "The Philosophy of Objectivism." The lectures were attended by Ayn Rand, who helped prepare them and also joined Peikoff in answering questions. Ayn Rand said of these lectures: "Until or unless I write a comprehensive treatise on my philosophy, Dr. Peikoff's course is the only authorized presentation of the entire theoretical structure of Objectivism--that is, the only one that I know of my own knowledge to be fully accurate."

Dr. Peikoff, Rand's designated heir and foremost interpreter, reveals the abstract fundamentals of Objectivism and its practical applications in the everyday world. He covers every branch of philosophy recognized by Rand and every philosophic topic she regarded as important--from certainty to money, from logic to art, from measurement to sex. Illustrated with quotes from her published works, complete with an abundance of new material that Ayn Rand offered only in private conversations with Peikoff, these clear, cogent chapters illuminate Objectivism--and its creator--with startling clarity. Now the millions of readers who have been transformed by Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead will discover the full philosophical system underlying Ayn Rand's stories about life "as it might be and ought to be."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Peikoff, a leading scholar and advocate of Rand's work, offers a lengthy study of her philosophical views.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Peikoff, Rand's heir and authorized evangelist, tries to present the definitive apologetic for her individualist gospel. Libraries could certainly use a book explaining a writer whose works still sell half a million copies a year. But Rand's success is rooted in the unsubtle but dramatic Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged , not in tracts like Capitalism, the Unknown Ideal . And this book mostly summarizes those tracts. There are sophisticated defenses like those in Robert Nozick's Anarchy, State, and Utopia ( LJ 1/15/75) for some Rand doctrines, but Peikoff, as official expositor, is bound to the received word. Odd claims like, "monopolies achieved under capitalism . . . depend on merit and do no harm" abound. In pursuit of Randian orthodoxy, he must denounce leftists, but he goes further and holds that "historically, from the Sherman Act to Herbert Hoover to the Bush Administration, it is the conservatives, not the leftists, who have always been the major destroyers of the United States."-- Leslie Armour, Univ. of Ottawa
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 493 pages
• Publisher: Meridian; Reprint edition (December 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452011019
• ISBN-13: 978-0452011014
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.1 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best selling book on Ayn Rand's philosophy December 24, 2000

By Mark Da Cunha

Format:Paperback

Rands philosophical ideas are spread through hundreds of fiction and non-fiction works, radio addresses, taped and untaped lectures, seminars, and discussions.

Until the publication of Peikoff's magnum opus *Objectivism*, there was no single book, the interested student of philosophy could turn to, that presented Rand's philosophy as a single integrated whole.

Thanks to Dr. Peikoff this is no longer the case.

Leonard Peikoff's *Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand* covers every philosophical topic that Ayn Rand held as important--from the objectivity of concepts and the metaphysical nature of man, to the virtue of selfishness and the purpose of art, this book covers it--and more.

It is clear (Peikoff is a lucid writer), organized (the book presents Rand's philosophy from the ground up, thus showing how her philosophical statement that capitalism is the moral system is inseperably tied to the metaphysical observation that A is A), and tightly written (Peikoff focuses only on essentials).

If you ever had any questions on the philosophy that Ayn Rand presented in her novels, or on the subject of philosophy in general (college students take note), this book has the answers you are looking for.

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Logical explanation of Objectivism June 22, 2006

By LaszloWalrus

Format:Paperback

Reviews of this book seem to be divided into two camps; those who agree with Objectivism give it high marks while those who disagree denounce it. Whether one agrees with Objectivism or not, however, Leonard Peikoff's explanation of Rand's system is clear and penetrating. It starts from fundamentals and works up logically, so that, even in areas where one may disagree with Peikoff, one always knows his (and Rand's) stand on a given philosophic issue. The book has the added value of being written for laymen in philosophy (as opposed to academics), and is therefore accessible to anyone with an active mind and an interest in the subject matter.

55 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The only good book on Ayn Rand's philosophy June 21, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

While other books on Objectivism are ignorant of its content and openly contemptuous of Miss Rand, OBJECTIVISM: THE PHILOSOPHY OF AYN RAND avoids the errors of other commentators. If you ever want an idea of the structure of Ayn Rand's philosophy, this is the ONLY book available for doing it. It starts at the starting premises of Rand's philosophic system and moves step by step through the entire structure.

Dr. Peikoff (whom I have seen explain Objectivism to large audiences) is by far the best authority on the subject. He studied under Ayn Rand for 30 years, so he knows her philosophy well, and is, of course, very fair in his presentation of it.

When I started reading the book, by annotations were about technical philosophical issues, but my reading experience became more and more personal as I progressed through the book; I stopped saying things like "This philosophical error that Peikoff is explaining sounds like Descartes" and started saying things like "My friend John Smith needs to read this part."

This book is, of course, nothing near the reading experience of Ayn Rand's own writings, but it is a must-read for those interested in her philosophy, especially since some aspects of Objectivism were never committed to paper by Rand herself. And, if your interest is not in Objectivism but in philosophy in general, I think you will be pleased to have this book in your collection. It is excellent in selling the importance of philosophy in general (and, of course, the best at explaining Objectivism in particular).

No other book on Objectivism comes close to Peikoff's scholarship and honesty, so it is no surprise to me that this book helped me become a better, more integrated person (the other commentary books on Objectivism are no match for Peikoff -- even their titles are cheesy!).

Anyway, I wholeheartedly recommend OBJECTIVISM: THE PHILOSOPHY OF AYN RAND by Leonard Peikoff. It is nothing short of excellent.