Atlas Summit 2014 -- The Objectivist ethics is based in a recognition that, for each organism, its life is its ultimate value. This is the egoism, or "selfishness," that lies at the root of the Objectivist ethics. In this session, William R Thomas discusses this meta-ethical view and contrasts it with other ethical conceptions.
Also explored: the idea of Objectivism as a virtue ethic, or an ethic of principle, where treating others benevolently and justly, and seeking to offer them benefits, is a key aspect of flourishing. Is Objectivism actually "selfish" at all? When does its egoism matter for practical action? Recommended reading: "The Objectivist Ethics" in Ayn Rand's "The Virtue of Selfishness" and the Conclusion to The Logical Structure of Objectivism.
Note: This video is from the multi-session "Intermediate Course" that was delivered, by multiple instructors, at the 2014 Atlas Summit. Most of those sessions were heavily dependent on classroom participation, and were not recorded.
威廉·湯瑪斯
威廉·R·湯瑪斯(William R Thomas)撰寫並教授客觀主義思想。他是The Atlas Society出版的The Literary Art of Ayn Rand和Ethics at Work的編輯。他還是一名經濟學家,偶爾在多所大學任教。