Chapter 8, "How Does One Lead a Rational Life in an Irrational Society?" Ayn Rand (1962) Summary and Analysis

In this chapter, Rand provides her answer to the question, "How does one lead a rational life in an irrational society?" She answers that one must use one's rational, moral thinking to judge and evaluate every human or group of humans one encounters, decide what is good, and act on this decision. She begins this discussion by identifying a commonly upheld principle in Western society and declaring it "evil" and oppositional to leading a rational life. The principle is that one must never pass moral judgment on others. Conversely, she declares that to lead a rational life, one must always pronounce moral judgment.

Rand concedes that judgment is a difficult action and an...