On Life and Value within Objectivist Ethics

This article considers the meanings of “life” within Objectivist ethics. It distinguishes between life lived moment to moment (a flow concept) and life-as-a-whole (a stock concept). It examines life’s finality as related to life being the ultimate value. It questions whether one “lives to consume” or “consumes to live” from a desert island perspective. It discusses what one’s whole life entails within the context of decision making. It looks at decisions between competing values. Finally, it discusses the distinction between ethical and ethically neutral actions and suggests ways in which inquiries regarding these may be approached.