Ayn Rand's Normative Ethics

the long version

Smith covers extensively a single issue in Rand's conception of virtue, namely that the list of virtues is open-ended (allowing for what may not yet be recognized as a virtue) and that all specific virtues are examples of a prime one. This main one is Rationality (the unimpeded use of one's mind to apprehend fact, so that one may build proper foundations for judgement and action in life). Others (like honesty, integrity and pride) are treated each with a separate chapter.