A new book sheds light on the moral psychology of egoism

Tara Smith examines the moral psychology of Ayn Rand’s ethics and offers new insights into rational egoism.

“For even if a person is committed to selfishness and conscientiously strives to practice it, certain internalized, unconscious dispositions can work against his success,” Tara Smith states in her new book Selfishness without permission: The moral psychology of ethics by Ayn Rand.

Smith, a professor of philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, specializes in the nature of values, virtues, and the requirements of objective law. Her work includes books such as Ayn Rand’s Normative Ethics: The Virtuous Egoist; Viable Values: A Study of Life as the Root and Reward of Morality; And The First Amendment: Essays on the Imperative of Intellectual Freedomas well as numerous scholarly articles and chapters in works focusing on Objectivism.

Her latest book, Egoism without permission is aimed at people who consider themselves students of Ayn Rand and practitioners of rational egoism, especially those who encounter the psychological difficulties of living out radical morality in the face of the prevailing anti-egoistic culture in which we all grew up.

Smith notes that the root of the problem is the belief that the authority of morality is independent of personal desires and interests. According to this religiously influenced view, one must prove oneself to be a good person in order to deserve a good life.

Smith argues convincingly “that a certain kind of motivation is crucial to rational egoism and its ability to help people flourish.” For Smith, this means that the source of morality’s authority is its ability to help you live the life you want. This important insight brings into focus the moral psychology necessary to achieve and maintain a happy life.

The book promises to be an insightful read for scholars and enthusiasts alike, offering new insights into the complexities of Ayn Rand’s philosophy and its importance for achieving lifelong happiness. Whether you are a philosopher, psychologist, or simply curious about the intersection of ethics and psychology, Smith’s book offers a compelling exploration of the psychology of selfishness and its relevance in today’s world. The book is currently available on Amazon.

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