Objectivism is a philosophical system created by the Russian-born American writer Ayn Rand, who set out its ideas in novels such as The Fountainhead, published in 1943, and Atlas Shrugged in 1957, and in later essays. It holds that reality exists independently of the mind, that reason is the only means of knowledge and that the proper moral purpose of life is the pursuit of one's own happiness. In politics, Objectivism defends laissez-faire capitalism and individual rights and rejects altruism as a moral ideal. Rand developed her ideas with a circle of followers, and the philosopher Leonard Peikoff continued her work. Academic philosophers have mostly been critical, but the movement has had a strong influence on libertarian and conservative thought in the United States.
Before and after
- 21 December 1942Birth of Hu Jintao
- 31 December 1942Battle of the Barents Sea
- from 1943 to 1944Bengal famine of 1943
- from 1943 to 1945Alsos Mission
- 1943Rise of objectivism
- 1943Creation of Colossus
- 7 January 1943Death of Nikola Tesla
- 15 January 1943Construction of The Pentagon
- from 29 January 1943 to 30 January 1943Battle of Rennell Island
More in Society, economy & sport
- from January 1918 to December 19201918–1920 flu pandemic
- 1919Founding of International Labour Organization
- 7 September 1923Founding of Interpol
- 1928Introduction of Estonian kroon
- from 13 July 1930 to 30 July 1930The first FIFA World Cup is played in Uruguay
- 5 September 1944Founding of Benelux
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.