Rational Egoism as a Phenomenon of Socio-political Reality: N.G. Chernyshevsky and A. Rand on the Connection Between Egoism and Progress

Abstract

The article offers an alternative understanding of the well-known ethical concept of rational egoism by N.G. Chernyshevsky and A. Rand as a phenomenon of socio-political reality. The author explicates their versions of the interpretation of the concept based on the material of both philosophical works and literary texts of both thinkers. In particular, Chernyshevsky’s anthropological approach consists of deriving consequences from the law of human nature – to prefer the good and avoid the unpleasant. The author of the article shows how this premise explains social progress and how it is connected with Chernyshevsky’s socialist views. In turn, Rand suggests taking into account only a specific individual and drawing ethical conclusions based on the objective law of life – the need for survival. The author explains why this ensures development in society and why anti-statist and capitalist values are derived from this. In addition, through a comparison of their approaches, the main subject of the dialogue between the thinkers is revealed. In conclusion, the author comes to the conclusion that an alternative approach to the concept under study does not diminish its ethical significance, but, on the contrary, offers a more comprehensive understanding of the processes of social life, which is of greater interest to both philosophers.