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Why Act on Principle?
“Concrete problems cannot even be grasped, let alone judged or solved, without reference to abstract principles.”
—Ayn Rand
Why Act on Principle? presents fourteen of Leonard Peikoff ’s philosophic essays—his best articles and talks in his opinion. Most of them have never been anthologized, and many are hard to find. All are rich with fascinating observations and insightful applications of Objectivism.
* * *
“Why should one act on principle? My answer in the end, men cannot avoid it—some principle always wins. If the right principles, the rational ones, are not conscious, explicit absolutes in men’s minds, then their evil opposites take over by default and ultimately win out. That is why, in our pragmatist, unprincipled age, the wrong principles are winning. That is why every form of irrationality, cowardice, injustice and tyranny is sweeping the world.
“It is not enough, therefore, merely to act ‘on principle.’ Man needs to act consciously on rational principles, principles based on the facts of reality, principles that promote and sustain human life. If you accept irrational principles, such as religious dogmas or mystical commandments, you will find that you can’t live by them consistently, precisely because they are irrational and clash with reality, and you will be driven to pragmatism in despair as your only alternative.”
—Leonard Peikoff
Leonard Peikoff is the preeminent Ayn Rand scholar. He worked closely with Rand in New York City for thirty years and was designated by her as legal and literary heir to her estate. He has taught philosophy at several places, including Hunter College and New York University, and he has lectured on Rand's philosophy throughout the United States. Dr. Peikoff is the author of The Philosophy of Ayn Rand; The DIM Why the Lights of the West Are Going Out; The Ominous The End of Freedom in America; and Keeping It Bringing Ideas Down to Earth. He grew up in Western Canada and now lives in Southern California.
—Ayn Rand
Why Act on Principle? presents fourteen of Leonard Peikoff ’s philosophic essays—his best articles and talks in his opinion. Most of them have never been anthologized, and many are hard to find. All are rich with fascinating observations and insightful applications of Objectivism.
* * *
“Why should one act on principle? My answer in the end, men cannot avoid it—some principle always wins. If the right principles, the rational ones, are not conscious, explicit absolutes in men’s minds, then their evil opposites take over by default and ultimately win out. That is why, in our pragmatist, unprincipled age, the wrong principles are winning. That is why every form of irrationality, cowardice, injustice and tyranny is sweeping the world.
“It is not enough, therefore, merely to act ‘on principle.’ Man needs to act consciously on rational principles, principles based on the facts of reality, principles that promote and sustain human life. If you accept irrational principles, such as religious dogmas or mystical commandments, you will find that you can’t live by them consistently, precisely because they are irrational and clash with reality, and you will be driven to pragmatism in despair as your only alternative.”
—Leonard Peikoff
Leonard Peikoff is the preeminent Ayn Rand scholar. He worked closely with Rand in New York City for thirty years and was designated by her as legal and literary heir to her estate. He has taught philosophy at several places, including Hunter College and New York University, and he has lectured on Rand's philosophy throughout the United States. Dr. Peikoff is the author of The Philosophy of Ayn Rand; The DIM Why the Lights of the West Are Going Out; The Ominous The End of Freedom in America; and Keeping It Bringing Ideas Down to Earth. He grew up in Western Canada and now lives in Southern California.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2024
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About the author
Leonard Peikoff
87 books387 followersLeonard S. Peikoff (born October 15, 1933) is a Canadian-American philosopher. He is an author, a leading advocate of Objectivism and the founder of the Ayn Rand Institute. A former professor of philosophy, he was designated by the novelist Ayn Rand as heir to her estate. For several years, he hosted a radio talk show.
http://www.peikoff.com/bio.html
http://www.peikoff.com/bio.html
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 8, 2024
This is a compilation of essays written by Dr. Peikoff over many years, many of them I had read already. It is good to have them together in one place, though. I will probably pass this book on to someone who I think might be interested in philosophy and in a principled approach to ethical questions.
July 2, 2024
Great collection
Brings together numerous critical lectures for those of us who prefer text to online video. Good stuff! Was delighted to get a Kindle edition quickly!
Brings together numerous critical lectures for those of us who prefer text to online video. Good stuff! Was delighted to get a Kindle edition quickly!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews