In our society, selfishness is almost universally thought of as a vice rather than a virtue. Focusing on one’s own happiness and personal gain is cast in a negative light, even though it may benefit other people.
The truth is, by rethinking our view of selfishness and egoism we can expand our minds and improve our lives.
In The Virtue of Selfishness, Ayn Rand summarized the philosophy she presented through her characters in novels like Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Rand espoused a moral code that she called rational selfishness or objectivism.
According to Rand, we must each exist for our own sake and not for the sake of others. The highest purpose in our lives should be our own self-interest and pursuit of our own happiness.
When Rand wrote her books in the mid-20th century, her philosophy was considered radical because it was so different from the prevailing wisdom that sacrificing oneself for others was the greatest virtue.
In the Introduction to The Virtue of Selfishness, Rand defines selfishness as “concern with one’s own interests” and argues that there is nothing wrong with focusing on doing things that will make us happy and healthy. Although there is nothing inherently evil about pursuing our own interests, many of us have been taught from an early age that we should put the needs of others first.
According to Rand, we need to ignore the guilt that our upbringing causes us to feel when we make our own happiness our chief goal.
Rand gives some examples to show the inconsistency of society’s view of selfishness. A businessman who amasses a fortune and a criminal who robs a bank are equally immoral, since both seek wealth for their own “selfish” gain. A young person who gives up a career in order to support aging parents is judged as less selfish than one who struggles to fulfill his or her personal goals.
For Rand, the morality of a person’s behavior does not lie in whether they are motivated by selfishness. In the case of the bank robber, his evil does not lie in his pursuit of personal gain but in his definition of self interest.
The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy refers to Rand’s philosophy about selfishness as rational egoism. It is set apart from other types of egoism because it involves a commitment to reason (hence the ‘rational’) instead of being driven by emotionally-driven desires.
In philosophy, egoism is the theory that self should be the motivation and goal of all one’s actions. It is the opposite of altruism, which says that we have a moral obligation to help others. Note that egoism shouldn’t be confused with ‘egotism’, which is the overrating of one’s own importance in the universe.
When your selfishness is rational, you make your happiness and health a priority. This can actually benefit society.
For example, people who abuse alcohol or drugs may seem to be selfish, but they’re not showing a true concern for their own interests. If they were, they wouldn’t put their long-term health and happiness at risk. People who make reasonable choices in their own self interest are much more likely to be contributing members of society. Viewed in this light, it is not only rational to purse your own interests – it’s irrational not to.
There should be no shame in putting your own interest’s first when your interests enhance the lives of society or the people in your life.
There are also some definite personal advantages to putting your own happiness first. It’s much harder to people to take advantage of you when you’re selfish. People who are “users” will quickly learn that they can’t get you to do their work or give them money. Once they see that you’re not an easy target for manipulation they’ll leave you alone, relieving you of the stress and negative self esteem that comes from the feeling of being used.
There is nothing in Rand’s definition that of selfishness that stops us from helping other people. Many of our motivations are selfish, even when we’re involved in ‘selfless’ activities like volunteering or donating money to a worthy cause.
Helping other people provides a sense of satisfaction that for most people is a reward in itself. Gaining the emotional benefits from helping other people can be viewed as looking for one’s own interests – meaning that it’s actually selfish! Once we understand that selfishness can motivate us to help others and improve society, it’s easier to see what Rand means when she calls selfishness a virtue.
If someone is truly ‘selfless’, they will think nothing of devoting time, money and effort to helping others without receiving any type of gratitude or recognition. This type of person is rare and mental health experts might even say that such a person is lacking in self esteem.
Most of us wouldn’t consider giving to others if we received absolutely nothing in return.
We crave the psychological boost that comes from knowing that we’re making a difference. The world would be a much bleaker place without the selfishness that inspires us to help others.
A key aspect of Rand’s belief system is independence. We each must learn to think independently and take responsibility for our own actions.
Howard Roark, the hero of The Fountainhead (1943), embodies Rand’s ideal independent thinker. According to Roark, “Man cannot survive except through his mind. He comes on this earth unarmed. His brain is his only weapon.” Rand tied her philosophy of selfishness to survival.
We are given life, but Nature does not provide us with the means for survival – we must support ourselves by our own efforts. Our minds are our most important survival tool. Therefore selfishness is completely natural and is required for our very survival.
Selfishness is also required to achieve the happiness and fulfillment that many of us seek. Rand believed that the primary goal of each person should be the attainment of personal happiness. This goal must shape our values and ethics.
The happiness of other people should be as important to us as our own happiness because their happiness contributes to our own.
In the words of John Galt, Rand’s hero from Atlas Shrugged (1957), “the purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.”