Discarding Duty: Reclaiming Choice and Consequence in Ethics

In "Causality Versus Duty," (full text of essay available in the link) Ayn Rand critiques the traditional concept of "duty" as an anti-concept that destroys reason, self-interest, and agency. Challenging Kantian deontological ethics, she argues human action should be guided by causality rather than arbitrary moral commands—making morality a conscious process of choosing specific goals and taking responsibility for the means to achieve them. ​ This meetup will examine how replacing "duty" with "causality" alters our approach to work, relationships, and personal achievement. Participants will explore the distinction between realistic necessity and unchosen demands, evaluating whether Rand’s model of rational egoism offers a liberating framework for self-directed living and personal accountability.