Ayn Rand was a Russian-American writer and philosopher who was born on February 2, 1905, in St. Petersburg, Russia, and passed away on March 6, 1982, in New York City. She is known for her influential works of fiction and her philosophical system called Objectivism. Rand’s writings advocate individualism, rational self-interest, and the pursuit of one’s own happiness as fundamental principles of life.
Rand’s early years in Russia were marked by the turbulence of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of the Soviet Union. In 1926, she immigrated to the United States, where she developed her career as a writer. Her novels, plays, and essays became popular and garnered both praise and controversy for their philosophical and political themes.
Here are some quotes from Ayn Rand:
- “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”
- “The question isn’t whether we will have a world without evil; the question is how we will deal with the evil that exists.”
- “A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.”
- “The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity.”
- “The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities.”
Ayn Rand’s notable books include:
- “Atlas Shrugged” – A monumental work of fiction that presents Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism through a gripping story set in a dystopian future where individualism is under threat.
- “The Fountainhead” – A novel that explores themes of individualism, independence, and the pursuit of artistic integrity through the story of an idealistic architect named Howard Roark.
- “Anthem” – A novella set in a future collectivist society where individuality is suppressed, and one man dares to defy the system.
- “Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal” – A non-fiction work that presents Rand’s defense of laissez-faire capitalism and its moral and philosophical foundations.
- “The Virtue of Selfishness” – A collection of essays that expounds upon Rand’s ethical principles and argues for the rational pursuit of self-interest as a moral virtue.
These books encapsulate Ayn Rand’s philosophical ideas and provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of her individualistic worldview and the principles of Objectivism.