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a philosophy that emphasizes individual rights, reason, and laissez-faire capitalism
- Objectivism posits that reality exists independently of consciousness and that individuals can gain objective knowledge through reason.
- A core tenet of objectivism is the pursuit of one's own happiness and rational self-interest as the highest moral purpose of life.
- Objectivism advocates for laissez-faire capitalism as the ideal social system, arguing that it respects individual rights and fosters human flourishing.
- Critics of objectivism often challenge its emphasis on self-interest, arguing that it can lead to ethical egoism and a lack of concern for others.
- Ayn Rand's novels, such as "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged," dramatize the principles of objectivism, illustrating her vision of heroic individualism and the creative power of the human mind.