For all readers.
Objectivism, a system of philosophy created by Ayn Rand, has four main principles: objective reality, absolute reason, individualism, and laissez-faire capitalism. Here's what those mean.
The concept of objective reality is where Objectivism gets its name, and it's the trickiest of the concepts to grasp. Basically, it means that outside our own personal perceptions, there is one true reality happening. Objectively, there are things going on in the world whether or not a person is there to see them. Objectivism's answer to 'if a tree falls in the forest and nobody's around to hear it, does it make a sound?' is a firm yes.
Furthermore, for Objectivists, the only way we know that we exist is in relation to that reality. We don't have a separate consciousness or soul--a person's existence is defined by the capacity to observe reality. It's heavy stuff.
Tied into the idea of objective reality is the Objectivist love for absolute reason. There's no room in Objectivism for emotions or faith. In any given situation, the facts -- again, based on objective reality -- are the only thing that should guide people, according to Ayn Rand.
That idea ties further into the belief in Objectivism that the individual should be empowered above everything else, or individualism. A man who's able to embrace the logic and reason of an objective reality is the most powerful figure in the Objectivist worldview. And if a man is able to do that, he should only ever act in his own self-interest. Remember, there's no room in Objectivism for emotions, faith, or any higher power at all. The whole system of morality in Objectivism is guided by the question of 'Will this make me happy?'
All of that leads into the embrace of laissez-faire capitalism, an economic system where the economy is completely unregulated and separate from the government (which is another illegitimate higher power, in Rand's eyes). This system lets those powerful Objectivist people do all they can in order to improve their own standing, but still while not violating the rights of other people or other people's pursuit of their own happiness.
Objectivism vs. Collectivism
The opposite end of the spectrum is Collectivism
Objectivism in Anthem | Study.com
