Crispy Objectivism: Life

Existence or non-existence are the only fundamental options available—and it pertains to a single class of entities: to living organisms. The existence of inanimate matter is unconditional, the existence of life is not: it depends on a specific course of action. Matter is indestructible, it changes its forms, but it cannot cease to exist. It is only a living organism that faces a constant alternative: the issue of life or death. Life is a process of self-sustaining and self-generated action. If an organism fails in that action, it dies; its chemical elements remain, but its life goes out of existence. It is only the concept of “Life” that makes the concept of “Value” possible. It is only to a living entity that things can be good or evil.Only a living entity can have goals or can originate them. And it is only a living organism that has the capacity for self-generated, goal-directed action.


Living is not equivalent to avoiding death and happiness is not the absence of pain.