“It is not as easy as you imagine to be a pure egoist, and none such have ever succeeded. The apparent egoism of great nations and of great men is the inevitable sternness with which anyone who has his life fixed on some undertaking must bear himself. When we are really going to do something […]
Ortega y Gasset on egoism and dedication to purpose Read More »
An audiobook version of my “Egoism in Nietzsche and Rand” is below or at YouTube: Text version published in The Journal of Ayn Rand Studies 10:2, Spring 2009, 249-291. Also here as PDF. Also relevant: My chart (with sources) comparing Nietzsche’s and Rand’s positions on 96 philosophical issues.
Is Rand’s Ethics Nietzschean? Read More »
My article “Ayn Alissa Rand (1905-1982)” was first published in the IEP in 2001. The original article focused on Rand’s life and times and some issues in her ethics. This update expands that treatment slightly, mentions a broader range of criticisms, and adds to the bibliography some of the scholarship since then. The encyclopedia is
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy — updated article on Rand Read More »
My lengthy journal article entitled “Egoism in Nietzsche and Rand” [pdf] is now publicly available for free at the Journal of Ayn Rand Studies‘ site. The abstract: “Philosophers Friedrich Nietzsche and Ayn Rand are often identified as strong critics of altruism and arch advocates of egoism. In this essay, Stephen Hicks argues that Nietzsche and
“Egoism in Nietzsche and Rand” at JARS Read More »
From Wired magazine’s profile of Reid Hoffman. I like this section where Hoffman says that each one of us needs to “think about our lives as entrepreneurs, using this playbook as a way five years from now to be in more control of my life, create more value in myself and the world around me,
Reid Hoffman, philosopher-turned-Linked-In founder Read More »
During my visit to Francisco Marroquín University, I led a one-hour seminar on entrepreneurial ethics. Subtopics: * Three moral types: Carly, Tonya, and Jane. * Six questions in ethics. * Egoism, Altruism, and Predation. * Entrepreneurial ethics: entrepreneurial success and virtue. * Why hasn’t the case for liberty convinced everyone? * Entrepreneurial ethics in contrast
Seminar on entrepreneurial ethics Read More »
Stephen Hicks contrasts egoism with both altruism and predation. This is from Part 12 of his Philosophy of Education course. Previous: Individualism: self-responsible living and the virtues. Next: Optimism: philosophy and history. Return to the Philosophy of Education page. Return to the StephenHicks.org main page.
Egoism versus the false alternative of altruism or predation Read More »
Stephen Hicks discusses Ayn Rand’s ethical theory. This is from Part 12 of his Philosophy of Education course. Previous: Liberal politics. Next: “Primacy of Existence”. Return to the Philosophy of Education page. Return to the StephenHicks.org main page.
Rational self-interest Read More »