Reviews - The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism

53 reviews for:

The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism

There is a chapter in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables wherein he describes in acute detail the barren, cold chapel at the monastery, bereft of any material placement. The description was bleak and harsh.

That is how I would describe this book. Rand's cold, sharp, clinical approach towards man's motivations and existence leaves one cold. While she does have some points about the necessity of ego versus altruism, her position on the far edge of the spectrum is neither healthy or helpful.

This book gets two stars because the language is direct and clear. The message is brutal but it's definitely clear.

ssamdav's review against another edition

3.75

challenging reflective medium-paced

melody9's review against another edition

1.0

I mostly hate read this book, and I'm not sure if that much has changed in the last 40-50 years, or if Rand was that out of touch with reality. I am leaning towards the latter as she claims that America is the only country not born out of violence, and how horrible racism is in other places but not in the "great melting pot" of the US. Also, very self-centered and narcissistic of her to cite her own works of fiction to support her arguments.

emrohrer's review against another edition

4.0

So I freely admit I'm completely addicted to Ayn Rand and want to read everything she's ever written. This is no exception. More philosophy-driven than just about any of her other works, she explains her whole concept of self-interest (rationally of course). The part I loved was the dawning realization that she was focusing on the fact that morality is buried and almost intrinsic to humans...not completely non-existent as many readers tend to assume from her works.

booknut7159's review against another edition

3.0

Many of the essays are worthy of 4 and 5 stars, but as a whole I couldn't give this volume a solid 4 stars. Knowing that this was published 50 years ago, it is very thought provoking.

becca_schimmel's review against another edition

1.0

I was curious about the vitriol and distaste I’ve heard directed at Ayn Rand. This book sheds a bit of light on where that might come from. I found it a bit odd that many of her points were supported by her own work, Atlas Shrugged, compared to using a wider range of works and research to support her many bold claims. The last chapter might be the only one worth giving much weight or discussion to. But the topic seems a bit obvious to me, and I had hoped for more depth.

bernadettefrancoise's review against another edition

2.0

I like Ayn Rand better when she sticks to essays rather than fiction. I gave this two stars because it was thought provoking, though I don't agree with her philosophy.