Objectivism and the ego, self, and unconscious mind

 When a person makes an evaluation and a judgement about whether something is an objective value or not. what makes the judgment, is it the ego or the self or the faculty of reason or what?

When a person evaluates and judges whether something is an objective value or not, it is the faculty of reason that makes the judgment. Reason is man's only means of knowledge and the tool by which he identifies and integrates the facts of reality. Objective values are determined by applying rational principles to the facts of existence, guided by the recognition that values are rooted in the requirements of man's life as a rational being.

The ego, or the self, is the beneficiary of such evaluations, but it is not the mechanism by which the judgment is made. The ego must act in accordance with reason, as rational self-interest is the standard of morality. Emotions, which are products of prior judgments, are not tools of cognition and cannot determine objective values. It is through the volitional adherence to reality by the method of logic that one identifies what is objectively valuable [1][4][6].

Thus, the faculty of reason, operating within the context of reality and guided by rational principles, is what makes the judgment about objective values.

Sources

1 Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand

2 Ayn Rand Lexicon by Harry Binswanger

3 Ominous Parallels by Leonard Peikoff

4 Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand expanded 2nd edition edited by Harry Binswanger and Leonard Peikoff containing never-before published philosophical material by Ayn Rand

5 the Anti-industrial Revolution by Ayn Rand

6 Philosophy: Who Needs It by Ayn Rand

 What part makes an evaluation and a judgement about the person that we are developing into and what is the standard of evaluation for that. How does the ego and the self fit into this process?

The evaluation and judgment about the person we are developing into is made by the faculty of reason. It is reason that allows us to assess our character, actions, and progress in life against an objective standard. The standard of evaluation is the moral standard of life proper to a rational being—one's ability to live in accordance with rational principles, to pursue one's values, and to achieve one's own happiness as the ultimate moral purpose of life [1][4].

The ego and the self play crucial roles in this process. The ego, as the "I," represents the individual as a rational being who must take responsibility for his own life and choices. It is the ego that seeks to achieve values and to live as an end in itself, not as a means to the ends of others. The self, in this context, is the totality of one's being, including one's character, values, and actions. The self is shaped by the choices one makes and the principles one upholds.

The ego uses reason to evaluate the self, asking: "Am I living up to the standard of a rational, independent, and productive individual? Am I acting with integrity, honesty, and justice? Am I pursuing my happiness through rational means?" These questions are essential for moral ambitiousness, which is the virtue of pride—the commitment to achieving one's own moral excellence [1][4][6].

In summary, reason is the faculty that evaluates and judges the person we are developing into, the standard of evaluation is the life proper to a rational being, and the ego and the self are the entities involved in this process. The ego is the agent of evaluation, while the self is the object being evaluated, shaped by one's rational choices and adherence to objective values.

Sources

1 Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand

2 Philosophy: Who Needs It by Ayn Rand

3 the Anti-industrial Revolution by Ayn Rand

4 For the New Intellectual by Ayn Rand

5 the Romantic Manifesto by Ayn Rand

6 the Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand

What happens if a person, or parts of a person, or a person's behavior deviates from the standard, does a shadow archetype form or what happens?

If a person, or parts of a person, or a person's behavior deviates from the standard of a rational, independent, and productive individual, the result is not the formation of a "shadow archetype," as that concept stems from a mystical and psychological framework inconsistent with Objectivism. Instead, what occurs is a failure to adhere to reason, reality, and the virtues necessary for living a moral and fulfilling life. This deviation leads to negative consequences for the individual, both morally and practically.

When a person evades reality, abandons rationality, or acts contrary to the virtues of independence, productiveness, or integrity, they undermine their own ability to live as a rational being. Such deviations result in a state of inner conflict, self-doubt, and unhappiness, as the individual is acting against their own nature and the requirements of their life. These consequences are not the result of an unconscious "shadow" but are the natural outcomes of failing to think, act rationally, and pursue objective values [1][4].

For example, if a person engages in dishonesty, they sever their connection to reality and undermine their ability to think and act effectively. If they embrace dependency or parasitism, they sacrifice their independence and self-esteem. Such behaviors lead to a diminished sense of self-worth and a loss of moral clarity, as they are inconsistent with the standard of a rational, independent, and productive individual. The individual becomes estranged from their own potential and values, creating a psychological state of alienation and frustration [1][6].

The solution to such deviations is not to dwell on mystical concepts like a "shadow archetype," but to return to the practice of rationality, self-reflection, and adherence to objective values. The individual must identify the errors in their thinking and actions, correct them through reason, and recommit to living in accordance with the virtues that support their life and happiness. This process requires moral ambitiousness (pride) and a commitment to self-improvement [4][6].

In summary, deviations from the standard of a rational, independent, and productive individual result in practical and moral harm to the person, not the formation of a "shadow archetype." The consequences are rooted in the individual's failure to live in accordance with reason and reality, and the remedy lies in returning to rational principles and objective values.

Sources

1 For the New Intellectual by Ayn Rand

2 the Romantic Manifesto by Ayn Rand

3 Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand

4 the Anti-industrial Revolution by Ayn Rand

5 Philosophy: Who Needs It by Ayn Rand

6 the Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand

What process occurs in such a person's unconscious mind when he or she deviates from the standard?

When a person deviates from the standard of a rational, independent, and productive individual, a process of evasion and internal conflict occurs in their unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is not a mystical or autonomous entity but rather the sum of automatized mental processes shaped by the person's conscious choices and premises. If a person adopts irrational premises or evades reality, these premises become integrated into their subconscious, influencing their thoughts, emotions, and actions without their explicit awareness.

Evasion is the primary mechanism at work. Evasion is the act of refusing to focus on or acknowledge facts that contradict one's desires, emotions, or irrational beliefs. By choosing to evade, the person suppresses awareness of reality and rational principles, creating a disconnect between their conscious mind and the objective facts of existence. This evasion leads to a state of internal conflict, as their subconscious integrates contradictory premises—those based on reality and reason versus those rooted in irrationality and emotionalism [1][4][6].

For example, if a person acts dishonestly or irrationally, their subconscious begins to register the contradiction between their actions and the moral standard of rationality. Over time, this can result in feelings of guilt, anxiety, or self-doubt, as their subconscious attempts to reconcile the conflict. These emotions are not guides to action but signals of the underlying irrationality in their premises. The longer the person evades addressing these contradictions, the more entrenched the irrational premises become, leading to further psychological disintegration and a loss of self-esteem [1][6].

The unconscious mind, in this context, operates as an automatized repository of premises and integrations. If a person consistently chooses rationality, their subconscious supports their conscious mind by providing automatized rational integrations. However, if they consistently evade or act irrationally, their subconscious becomes a repository of contradictions, undermining their ability to think clearly and act effectively [4][6].

In summary, when a person deviates from the standard of a rational, independent, and productive individual, the process in their unconscious mind involves the automatization of evasion and contradictions. This leads to internal conflict and psychological harm, which can only be resolved by consciously identifying and correcting the irrational premises through reason and adherence to reality. The unconscious mind reflects the sum of a person's choices and premises, and its state depends on their commitment to rationality and objectivity [1][4][6].

Sources

1 For the New Intellectual by Ayn Rand

2 the Romantic Manifesto by Ayn Rand

3 the Anti-industrial Revolution by Ayn Rand

4 the Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand

5 Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand

6 Philosophy: Who Needs It by Ayn Rand