Unrugged Individualism: The Selfish Basis of Benevolence

by David Kelley

In this newly revised edition, David Kelley What is the nature of benevolence toward other people? How does it differ from altruism? How does it relate to the benevolent sense of life? David Kelley answers these questions in a groundbreaking work. Unrugged Individualism is the first philosophical analysis of benevolence from the Objectivist point of view, and a major addition to the Objectivist ethics.

Genres: Philosophy, Psychology

65 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

David Kelley, Ph.D., is the founder of The Atlas Society in Washington, DC, which promotes open Objectivism, the philosophy originated by novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand.

He is an internationally-known expert in Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism. A former college professor of philosophy, he has written and lectured extensively on issues in epistemology, ethics, politics, social issues, and public policy. He has also been a consultant to the film adaptation of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.

Reviews

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the Objectivist philosophers, Kelley is the one I'm most fond of. He departed from the "orthodox" school because he understands that Rand's philosophy is incomplete. He already addressed this issue in his paper THE CONTESTED LEGACY OF AYN RAND.
In this book, Kelley tries to justify, for those staunch Objectivists, that it's OK to also behave nicely to others. Sounds strange, does it? but from experience, I know that "orthodoxies" have a tendency to become hostile towards "normal" people who haven't seen the light yet.
Consider passages like this one:

Saying hello and good-bye, how are you? and have a nice day, are ways of acknowledging that even if we know nothing else of a person, we know that he is human and that things can go well or poorly for him. Saying please and thank you is a way of acknowledging that another person is not our servant, pet, or infant, but an independent adult who is dealing with us by choice.

Kelley puts his audience back through kindergarten because they've lost their sense of civility.
Unintentionally, the book is a badge of shame. The consequences of over analysis of natural human behavior with an attempt to reduce everything to philosophically justifiable propositions. It should be a warning sign for any student of Rand.

On the Amazon site, I've found the following review most compelling:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Altruism is something Ayn Rand wrote a lot about, but in very negative terms. How can helping others be a negative thing? David Kelley explores the idea behind the concept of benevolence, how it is a thoroughly selfish endeavour that fits perfectly within the objectivist framework and adds to it something that it lacked. Benevolence and altruism is of course two different concepts, that are often muddled together, whereas only altruism champions the idea of self sacrifice. Kelley explains why this issue seemed like a minor issue with Rand even though examples of interpersonal exchanges of the benevolent kind takes place in her books and was included behind the curtains of her thought. It is great to see how well things go together and how one can defend this idea philosophically without giving up oneself into irrationality or self sacrifice, and how it comes across as a much stronger and well crafted virtue. Here are things that need more thinking of course, to further validate the claims but it is a great starting point for further work on the topic. I savoured this book, as it is one of the philosophical books that are needed, especially given the reputation objectivism has for being a cold and egoistic philosophy. I will read it again, to become more familiar with the content and to integrate this into my life and thinking.

[John Reis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Rand saw it, there were only seven virtues: rationality, honesty, justice, independence, productiviteness, integrity, and the other one, pride. David Kelley wants to add benevolence to this list of cardinal virtues. I understand the sentiment. I myself would add courage were I in control of the naming of cardinal virtues.

“In essence, I will argue, benevolence is a commitment to engage with others, to participate in society, in order to achieve the values derivable from other human beings.“ Page 17

Page 30 he provides a definition of benevolence, after an analysis of the nature of virtue: “Benevolence is a commitment to achieving the values derivable from life with other people in society, by treating them as potential trading partners, recognizing their humanity, independence, and individuality, and the harmony between their interests and ours.”

“Economic exchange, communication, and mutual visibility, then, are the fundamental ways we derive benefits from others, and countless complex forms and combinations.”
As he sees it, there is a strong linkage between productivity and benevolence. He also believes that benevolence should be distinguished from justice. Benevolence is a kind of anticipation. Instead of being fearful of others, it projects “the potential represented by other people to create opportunities for trade to remake our social environment in the image of our own values.“ page 33

“Giving money to those who, beg by choice, when they could work for a living, is likewise an act of injustice, rather than benevolence: it is not benevolent to encourage vice in others.”

He sees benevolence as expressed in three key ways. “Civility is the most elementary form of benevolence.” It is reflected in common courtesy, keeping a civil tongue.

“Sensitivity is a correlate of visibility.” “Sensitivity is the alertness to the psychological conditions of others.”

“Generosity is concerned with the existential aid we provide to others." “Sometimes we act generously as an expression of our own happiness.” In this sense generosity is a kind of magnanimity. The second reason is when we give help in an emergency.
A third motive for generosity involves a kind of investment.

In conclusion, he says “benevolence is a creative virtue, a kind of productiveness applied to our relationship with others.” “... benevolence is not altruism.”

I read this back in the late 90s when it was published. I did not note that in my log of “Books Read” at the time. I am glad to see someone attempting to add a virtue to the list of objectivist virtues. Other writers have not done that. But I was not overwhelmed by the case he makes for benevolence here.

[Rico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a nice, fairly short discussion of how benevolence fits into Objectivism. David makes the case that benevolence is a major virtue, rather than an epiphenomenon of Objectivism, as it facilitates trade - the voluntary exchange of values - and so justice (people benefit or suffer in line with their actions).