“‘Value’ is that which one acts to gain and keep, ‘virtue’ is the action by which one gains and keeps it.” Ayn Rand, For the New Intellectual

One of Ayn Rand’s most significant and distinct contributions to philosophy - particularly ethics - was her conception of value, and by extension, virtue. She recognised three cardinal values that were essential for man’s survival and flourishing: reason, purpose and self-esteem. And she recognised three corresponding virtues by which one gained and kept these values: rationality, productivity and pride.

In the first Meetup in a series of monthly discussions on the Objectivist values and virtues, we will discuss Rand’s first cardinal value - reason.

What does it mean to value reason? What are some common manifestations of irrationality, and what is the standard by which one judges an idea to be rational or irrational? Why is the concept of reason relevant in the realm of morality?