Why Act on Principle?

“Concrete problems cannot even be grasped, let alone judged or solved, without reference to abstract principles.” —Ayn Rand Why Act on Principle? presents fourteen of Leonard Peikoff ’s philosophic essays—his best articles and talks in his opinion. Most of them have never been anthologized, and many are hard to find. All are rich with fascinating observations and insightful applications of Objectivism. * * * “Why should one act on principle? My answer is: in the end, men cannot avoid it—some principle always wins. If the right principles, the rational ones, are not conscious, explicit absolutes in men’s minds, then their evil opposites take over by default and ultimately win out. That is why, in our pragmatist, unprincipled age, the wrong principles are winning. That is why every form of irrationality, cowardice, injustice and tyranny is sweeping the world. “It is not enough, therefore, merely to act ‘on principle.’ Man needs to act consciously on rational principles, principles based on the facts of reality, principles that promote and sustain human life. If you accept irrational principles, such as religious dogmas or mystical commandments, you will find that you can’t live by them consistently, precisely because they are irrational and clash with reality, and you will be driven to pragmatism in despair as your only alternative.” —Leonard Peikoff Leonard Peikoff is the preeminent Ayn Rand scholar. He worked closely with Rand in New York City for thirty years and was designated by her as legal and literary heir to her estate. He has taught philosophy at several places, including Hunter College and New York University, and he has lectured on Rand's philosophy throughout the United States. Dr. Peikoff is the author of Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand; The DIM Hypothesis: Why the Lights of the West Are Going Out; The Ominous Parallels: The End of Freedom in America; and Keeping It Real: Bringing Ideas Down to Earth. He grew up in Western Canada and now lives in Southern California.