Book Review: Metaethics, Egoism, and Virtue – Studies in Ayn Rand’s Normative Theory

Edited by Allan Gotthelf (editor) and James G. Lennox (associate editor)

This book is an excellent discussion of Rand’s ethical ideas. It features articles written by a number of intellectuals who possess a more or less good grasp of the fundamentals of ethics from an Objectivist foundation. Some of the writers have a Kantian base (without a clear grasp of Objectivism as it relates to concepts such as reason, purpose, virtue and altruism). The contrast between the Analysts and the Objectivists is palpable. For instance, one of the (Kantian/Analyst) writers attempts to define Objectivist ethical concepts so they fit into the Kantian framework. This is a futile endeavor since Rand rejected virtually every Kantian concept (particularly the distinction between analytic and synthetic statements). Positing concepts such as “virtuous altruism” and then claiming they are consistent with Rand’s ethics is the equivalent of trying to fit an epistemological square peg into an epistemological round hole. The stars of the book are Dr. Tara Smith whose books provide much of the basis (along with Rand) for the discussion and Professor Darryl Wright. This book provides excellent insights for intellectuals who have reached an advanced understanding of the philosophy of Objectivism.