1. The Virtuous Egoist
Tara Smith
Department of Philosophy
University of Texas at Austin
Hebrew University, Jerusalem
Sponsored by the Ayn Rand Center Israel
June 4, 2013
Outline
1. Introduction
2. Why be egoistic?
3. What kind of egoism is Rand advocating?
Clarifying Rational Egoism:
a) self-interest is not transparent
b) egoism is not subjectivism
c) self-interested action is not automatic
d) pursuit of self-interest is not easy
e) egoism is not hedonism
f) egoism is not materialism
g) egoism is not predatory policy of abusing other people
4. What kind of virtues is Rand advocating?
Fundamental virtue: Rationality
Its major, more specific forms: Honesty, Justice, Integrity,
Independence, Productiveness, Pride
A. Honesty
i. what it is
ii. why it is an egoistic virtue
B. Justice
i. what it is
ii. why it is an egoistic virtue
5. Conclusion
over

2. Recommended Readings for thinking further about these issues:
Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness, Penguin/Signet, 1964.
especially “Introduction,” “The Objectivist Ethics,” & “How Does One Lead a Rational Life
in an Irrational Society?”
Leonard Peikoff, Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, Penguin/Meridian, 1991
(chapters 7 & 8 most directly concern ethics)
Tara Smith, Ayn Rand’s Normative Ethics – The Virtuous Egoist, Cambridge University Press, 2006.
(on the specific virtues advocated by Ayn Rand’s rational egoism)
Tara Smith, Viable Values: A Study of Life as the Root and Reward of Morality, Rowman & Littlefield,
2000. (on the fundamental validation of Ayn Rand’s rational egoism)
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