by Craig Biddle

Subtitle: The Morality of Self-Interest and the Facts that Support It

For those who want "to live life to the fullest" and "achieve the greatest happiness possible," Loving Life outlines "the essential means to that end: a proper code of values—a proper morality." Based on Ayn Rand's ethics of rational egoism—but assuming no prior knowledge of her ideas or of philosophy in general—this short book argues that "morality is a matter of the factual requirements of human life and happiness. It is a matter of reason, logic, and the law of cause and effect." The author offers dozens of concrete, everyday examples to illustrate the theoretical points discussed.

Having argued that neither "religion nor subjectivism provides proper guidance for human action," Biddle names the facts that support an objective code of morality. He notes that "living properly (being moral) consists in pursuing life-serving values not sporadically or occasionally, but regularly and consistently—as a matter of principle." Although punchy and concise, at times this book reads like the transcript of an oral presentation, and certain formulations could have been more precise.

Yet on the whole Loving Life engages the reader with its lively conversational style.

Loving Life serves several useful purposes. First, it is a brief work that can help those previously unfamiliar with Ayn Rand's work—or those who only know her novels—to begin studying her ethical system, especially if they are unfamiliar with the concepts and theories of technical philosophy. For this reason, it is also a good book for Objectivists to hand out or recommend to honest individuals who they think may be open to these ideas.

Additionally, it is a book from which those already familiar with Objectivism might benefit. Its observation-based approach is helpful in keeping Ayn Rand's moral principles firmly anchored in reality in one's mind.—Andrew Bernstein

Table of Contents

Introduction: Who Should Read This Book—and Why

1. Religion vs. Subjectivism: Why Neither Will Do
2. The Is—Ought Gap: Subjectivism's Technical Retreat
3. To Be Or Not To Be: The Basic Choice
4. Objective Moral Values: Basic Human Needs
5. Making Life Meaningful: Living Purposefully
6. Objective Moral Virtues: Principled Actions
7. A Civilized Society: The Necessary Conditions
8. Concluding Summary: What We Now Know

Afterword: Terrorism, Altruism, and Moral Certainty
Appendix. Emergency Situations: The Principle Remains
Recommended Reading
Index
About the Author

(Softcover; 149 pages)