Quote Originally Posted by Prabhu Ram
I think a better description of the Objectivist principle is :
it is absolutely and at all times immoral to do anything for the benefit of others at the cost of oneself
I think that part makes quite a difference. What say you ?
I don't think I agree. Objectivism as I understand it takes the view that one's true ethical purpose is one's own life and only that; and the furtherance of one's own life is the only thing that has "objective" value. Producing "objective" value is the main purpose of human life. Any action taken for any other purpose is immoral, because it "wastes" resources that could have been used to produce "objective" value. In other words, if you don't get any benefit out of an act, you shouldn't be doing it.

At least, that's my understanding of objectivism.