Ayn Rand’s Egoism: Theory and Analysis

Ayn Rand was a Russianborn American philosopher, novelist, and playwright, whose interpretation of ethical egoism is one of the most important interpretations of this theory.  Rand is a proponent of intellectual egoism, and rationalism is a fundamental element in her ethical theory. This article attempts to review, analyze, and criticize her interpretation of ethical egoism. Additionally, an ethical theory known as egoaltruism will be introduced in opposition to Rand’s theory. Egoaltruism proposes that the pivot of ethics is to maintain balance and equilibrium between the self and others.