Wow, Tara Smith has another book coming out on the ethical concepts of Ayn Rand. Cambridge University Press is to bring it out, and it's title is Ayn Rand's Normative Ethics: The Virtuous Egoist. I look forward to this one. Here's an excerpt:
The heart of the book consists in an elaboration of seven major virtues. Chapter 3 examines what Rand regards as the principal, overarching virtue, rationality. I begin by clarifying Rand’s understanding of what a virtue is, given that some of her formulations may sound at odds with contemporary accounts. In the end, her conception is compatible with the prevalent characterization of virtue as a disposition to act or feel in certain ways, though Rand especially emphasizes virtues as types of action that reflect recognition of facts about the most basic demands of life.Rationality is the acceptance of reason as one’s only source of knowledge and fundamental guide to action. I will explain Rand’s view of what reason is to show how a rational person is guided exclusively by the evidence of his senses and by logical inferences from that evidence. Rationality consists in a deliberate policy of grounding one’s thinking in the way things are, as best as one can discern through the exercise of his perceptual and conceptual capacities. Essentially, rationality consists of fidelity to facts.
We can appreciate why rationality is a moral virtue by reminding ourselves of the reason for having morality and for considering anything a moral virtue: survival. Rationality is the fundamental means by which human beings can maintain and advance our lives. Our more specific needs can be satisfied only through what is, at root, rational action (occasional flukes aside). Because things in external reality are what they are independently of an individual’s thoughts or wishes about them, because we control whether and how we use our minds, and because, as fallible beings, our beliefs are not automatically correct, human beings must exert a concerted effort to base the thinking that guides our actions on the way the world actually is. This is what rationality enables us to do.
Looks good, and I hope it does well -- although, selling at textbook price as it will, that might be tough. Anyway, I can also happily recommend Dr. Smith's lecture The Value of Purpose.
(And Hugh Akston is listed in the index!)
(Hat tip on the book: Gus Van Horn)
Posted by Craig Ceely at February 26, 2006 04:46 PM