Governmental Philosophy

Comparison Essay # 23965

Philosophy > History - 20th Century
Political Science > Mill, John Stuart

A comparison of the governmental philosophy of John Stuart Mill to that of Ayn Rand.

1,328 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper asserts that the governmental ideal of capitalism from the philosophy of John Stuart Mill upon which the United States is based closely parallels the modern controversial assertions of Objectivist ethics and Ayn Rand. The paper Uses evidence from "On Liberty" and "Virtue of Selfishness" to suggest that the ideals of Objectivism were evident in Mill's philosophy a century before Objectivism was a complete thought.

From the Paper:

"The two texts also parallel on their references to the exchange of ideas and interpersonal relationships between individuals. In Selfishness, Rand asserts that "The principle of trade is the only rational ethical principle for all human relationships, personal and social, private and public, spiritual and material (Rand, 29)," meaning that one cannot, first of all, give of oneself unselfishly, expecting nothing in return, and second, only take what we can from others, not giving anything in return. The ideal man she describes is a trader; one who exchanges his expertise for things that he lacks, and vice versa."