Objectivism is one of the themes running throughout the book. Objectivism is the name given to the philosophy of Ayn Rand and its components can be found in all of her writings. Objectivism is a way of explaining man's relation to his own existence. Man is different than the other animals and life forms because man has a mind and can think. Because of this, man can determine his own survival and existence in many ways. Reality is what exists independent of man. The only way man can perceive reality is through the use of reason and this is a function of the mind other animals do not have. Rand's objectivism is concerned with the nature of man and his relationship to existence.