“Now some of you might say, as many people do: ‘Aw, I never think in such abstract terms—I want to deal with concrete, particular, real-life problems—what do I need philosophy for?’ My answer is: In order to be able to deal with concrete, particular, real-life problems—i.e., in order to be able to live on earth.” Ayn Rand, Philosophy: Who Needs It

In this essay, Ayn Rand takes the reader on a clarifying tour of philosophy, covering: what philosophy is, why philosophy is relevant (and for whom), what the basic branches of philosophy are, and more.

The full essay is available here