Objectivism is an ethical theory invented by philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand.

The basic principles of objectivism are that human beings ought to be "selfish," to look out for their own well-being and interests before the well-being and interests of others. This freedom to seek one's own interest is tempered by an obligation not to prevent other people from doing the same - slavery or violence against other people are unethical and unacceptable means of seeking one's own benefit.

Hand in hand with this ethic is a belief in the economic system of laissez-faire capitalism, in a society structured so that people compete against one another for profit.

Objectivism values reason, competence, self-sufficiency, integrity, and self-respect as some of the key virtues that should characterize a human being.

For objectivists, to be selfless and altruistic is to lack self-respect, to consider other human beings more worthy of life and happiness than oneself. This is inherently unhealthy and unnatural. Objectivists claim that the ideal of altruism denies the inherent worth of an individual human being - it makes a human being something that can be sacrificed for the good of society.