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The Virtue of Selfishness

work by Rand

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The Virtue of Selfishness is a collection of essays by Ayn Rand that expounds her philosophy of Objectivism. A core tenet of this philosophy is ethical egoism, which posits that an action is morally right if it promotes the agent's self-interest. Rand argued that selfishness, when understood as the pursuit of one's own life and happiness as a rational being, is a virtue, while altruism—placing others' interests above one's own—is a vice. This perspective contrasts with traditional ethical systems that often emphasize self-sacrifice. Rand believed that individuals are guided by philosophical principles and that a correct philosophy is essential for a successful life.123456

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