Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Philosopher Biography Project Paper Essay

Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Philosopher Biography Project Paper and Persuasive Presentation - Essay Example Rand supported the Kerensky revolution but denounced the Bolshevik revolution. Because of the latter revolution, fighting erupted and her family relocated to Crimea where she finished her studies. Later in life, her father’s pharmacy was confiscated after the communist victory, a fact that saw a lot of suffering. Rand immensely opposed the Russian way of life, especially their collectivism and mysticism. Instead, she admired and emulated the American culture, and even changed her name from Alisa Zinovievna Rosenbaum. She studied Philosophy in the Petrograd University and graduated in 1924. Some of her works include The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, and Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology, and We the Living among others. Sadly, Rand passed on in 1982 from a cardiac failure but her work still raises discussions and debates in the world of philosophy. Ayn Rand is recognized worldwide for her philosophy of objectivism. Rand pointed out that peop le can understand the world. She elaborates further that this can be achieved by reasoning and logic. This has elicited controversy since other philosophers have proposed that reality is unclear. They have claimed that reasoning and logic sometimes cannot be depended on, coining it as subjectivism. Rand discounted this claim, citing erosion of self-esteem and confidence as its downsides. Instead, she asserted that reality is what it is and that one can certainly know what is. It is because of this that termed her philosophy objectivism, where one is required to check their premises in case they are not sure about something. This was the philosophy of epistemology. Rand termed objectivism as ‘a philosophy for those living on earth’. Her philosophy, she claimed, was based on man as a hero, with the moral purpose in his life being in pursuit of his happiness. Man’s noble activity, in her philosophy, is to be productive in his achievements. However, she acknowledges the fact that this happiness cannot be achieved by mere whim or wish. Objectivism outlines the principles that one must live with, even in pursuit of happiness. This include, among others, respect for other people’s rights as well as possession of moral integrity. Rand also proposed the capitalism ideology where Laissez- Faire capitalism is the concept introduced by objectivists in the political world. Here, the government is limited in its actions and protection the life of each citizen and his or her property are its functions. The government also ensures that there is no use of force by one citizen against the other. An objectivist, from this description, therefore, is one who achieves in the creation of ideas and art; succeed in businesses and the invention of technologies. This they achieve through their own talents and efforts or trading with other independent minds. Objectivism believes in optimism. There is always that hope that the world is open for everyone’s happiness and thus living fulfilling lives. This she mentioned in her two books, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Even in her high school life, Rand had always objected to mysticism. She believed that all truth was arrived at after a careful analysis of the facts of reality, something that should be done without contradictions. It is a fact that objectivists believe that everyone is free to believe in whatever they want. However, they should not claim that what they believe is the truth without verifying the proofs. This could be