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Capitalism

The Unknown Ideal (50th Anniversary Edition)
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( 4,383 ratings, 229 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Capitalism is a compelling exploration of the principles and ethics underpinning a free-market system. The book offers insights from notable intellectuals, arguing for capitalism as the most moral and practical economic system, and critically examines alternatives. Through essays and analyses, it delves into the philosophical and practical aspects that make capitalism a driving force for progress and innovation.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3600

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're interested in the philosophical and ethical foundations of the capitalist system, providing insights from prominent thinkers and economists. It explores the moral justifications of capitalism and critiques alternative economic systems.

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The foundations of capitalism are being battered by a flood of altruism, which is the cause of the modern world's collapse. This is the view of Ayn Rand, a view so radically opposed to prevailing attitudes that it constitutes a major philosophic revolution.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Ayn Rand presents a provocative and staunch defence of capitalism in Capitalism, a collection of essays that challenge the conventional wisdom about the economic and moral framework of modern society. The book delves into the underpinnings of a system that Rand asserts is under siege by the rising tide of altruism—a force she controversially argues is at the root of many societal ills.

In this collection, Rand, along with her collaborators Robert Hessen, Alan Greenspan, and Nathaniel Branden, explores topics that range from the persecution of big business to the true causes of war and the moral contradictions inherent in altruism. Each essay is meticulously crafted to argue for the intrinsic value of individualism and the free market, while critiquing the cultural and political institutions that undermine these principles.

Through incisive and often contentious arguments, Rand lays bare what she sees as the catastrophic consequences of altruistic ethics—both on a personal level and in terms of societal structure. She also tackles the student rebellion of the 1960s, pointing to it as a symptom of broader anti-capitalist sentiment and a misunderstanding of the freedoms capitalism affords.

Alan Greenspan brings his expertise to dissect the role of government and monetary policy, offering a unique perspective on fiscal issues that complements Rand's philosophical stance. Robert Hessen and Nathaniel Branden contribute their insights into the history and psychology of capitalism, providing a broader context to Rand's arguments and enriching the debate.

Capitalism is not just a critique of altruism; it is a call to recognise the moral and practical superiority of capitalism. This collection is essential for anyone interested in understanding the philosophical foundations of capitalism and the reasons behind its critique by modern thinkers.

Provocative, rigorous, and unapologetically bold, Capitalism challenges readers to rethink their preconceived notions about the role of self-interest in human affairs and the ethical basis of a capitalist society.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Capitalism is hailed as one of the most revolutionary and powerful works on capitalism and politics ever published, praised by Professor Leonard Peikoff in Barron’s magazine.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780451147950

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 August 1987

Country: Australia

Imprint: Signet

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 107.0mm

Height: 170.0mm

Weight: 232g

Pages: 416

About the Author

Born February 2, 1905, Ayn Rand published her first novel, We the Living, in 1936. Anthem followed in 1938. It was with the publication of The Fountainhead (1943) and Atlas Shrugged (1957) that she achieved her spectacular success. Rand's unique philosophy, Objectivism, has gained a worldwide audience. The fundamentals of her philosophy are put forth in three nonfiction books, Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology, The Virtues of Selfishness, and Capitalism- The Unknown Ideal. They are all available in Signet editions, as is the magnificent statement of her artistic credo, The Romantic Manifesto.

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