Ayn Rand’s tome - Atlas Shrugged - had a profound influence on me when I was younger. I reread it recently and wanted to formulate some ideas to reconcile what I think and what I believe. What I believe is summarised in a book I wrote recently called ‘Sacred Operating System’ - exploring the validity of Old Testament ‘commandments with modern day living, and our understanding of psychology and science.

Watch the Video first before you read the argument if you are not familiar with Atlas Shrugged.

The intersection of Objectivism and the Christian Faith provides a unique lens through which to view human flourishing. While often seen as polar opposites, both systems function as a "sacred operating system" intended to align human behavior with the fundamental, non-negotiable constraints of nature and reality. By exploring the pillars of Objectivism alongside the psychological architecture of the Ten Commandments, we find a profound, if complex, reconciliation rooted in the sanctity of the individual and the supremacy of truth.

I. Metaphysics: Objective Reality and the Law of Identity

The foundational pillar of Objectivism is Objective Reality, expressed by the axiom "A is A" (the Law of Identity). This tenet holds that reality is an absolute that exists independently of any observer’s feelings, wishes, or fears. In the Objectivist view, contradictions do not exist; if one perceives a contradiction, they must "check their premises," for one will inevitably be found to be wrong.

This metaphysical stance finds a striking parallel in the "Sacred Operating System’s" interpretation of the First and Second Commandments. The Law of Primacy ("You shall have no other gods before me") is described not as a threat from a temperamental deity, but as a psychological axiom regarding the human need for a stable value hierarchy. Just as Objectivism demands that reason be the "North Star" of perception, the First Commandment identifies that human beings are "constitutively incapable of not having a 'god'"—meaning some supreme value will always occupy the top of one's cognitive hierarchy.

The Law of Transcendence ("You shall not make for yourself a graven image") further aligns with the Objectivist rejection of the irrational. This law warns against reductionism—confusing the "map" (human models or simplified representations of reality) with the "territory" (reality itself). Objectivism’s insistence on "A is A" is essentially a command to remain anchored in the territory of objective existence, refusing to worship the "graven images" of subjective whims or social consensus.

II. Epistemology: The Supremacy of Reason

Objectivism holds that reason is man’s only tool of knowledge and his fundamental means of survival. Thinking is a volitional act, meaning it must be chosen and maintained through effort. Those who deny reason are considered to have abdicated their status as human beings and are essentially left to the "grinding chaos of the irrational".

The "Sacred Operating System" translates this into the Law of Integrity and the Law of Balance. The Ninth Commandment ("You shall not bear false witness") is viewed as a social stability protocol. Just as Objectivism defines logic as the "art of non-contradictory identification," the Christian framework identifies lying as "social vandalism" that destroys the fabric of trust necessary for any cooperative society to function.

Furthermore, the Law of Balance (the Sabbath) provides a biological and neurological grounding for the maintenance of the reasoning mind. Modern neuroscience shows that the brain requires rest for memory consolidation and the functioning of the Default Mode Network (DMN), which is responsible for making sense of experiences and constructing a sense of self. Objectivism identifies productivity as a primary virtue, but the Christian "Sacred Operating System" suggests that a rhythm of work and rest is required to protect the very "machinery of meaning-making" that reason employs.

III. Ethics: Rational Self-Interest and the Imago Dei

The moral code of Objectivism, the "code of life," views man as an end in himself. It advocates for Rational Selfishness, where man’s highest moral purpose is the achievement of his own happiness. It rejects unearned guilt and the morality of self-sacrifice, which it terms the "morality of cannibals," demanding the sacrifice of the best to the worst.

This pillar is often where the most "apparent" contradictions with Christianity arise. However, the sources suggest a deep reconciliation via the concept of the imago Dei (image of God).

IV. Politics: Laissez-Faire Capitalism and Stewardship

In the political realm, Objectivism advocates for Laissez-Faire Capitalism, a system free from physical compulsion where the government’s only role is the protection of individual rights. Property rights are seen as the foundation of a moral existence. Money is hailed as the "root of all good" because it represents the principle that men must deal with one another by trade, giving value for value.

The Law of Property (the Eighth Commandment) and the Law of Contentment (the Tenth Commandment) provide the "safety guardrails" for this system.

V. Aesthetics: Romantic Realism and the Ideal Man

Objectivism defines art as a “re-creation of reality according to an artist’s metaphysical value-judgments”. Its purpose is to project an image of “human perfection”—the ideal man who is consistent, integrated, and purposeful. The music of Richard Halley in Atlas Shrugged is described as a "symphony of triumph," embodying the essence of upward motion and human ascent.

This mirrors the Christian use of the ideal to orient human behavior. Just as the "Sacred Operating System" uses the Commandments as a "map of reality" to guide humans toward flourishing, Objectivist art provides the emotional fuel (joy) necessary to continue the struggle for that flourishing. Both systems suggest that to see the "ideal" is the greatest gift one can offer to others, providing a vision of what is possible.

VI. Areas That Cannot Be EasilyReconciled

Despite these deep structural alignments, there are fundamental metaphysical and ethical conflicts between the two systems that remain irreconcilable based on the sources:

1. The Source of Morality: Man vs. God Objectivism is strictly atheistic and places the source of morality entirely within man’s own mind and his need to survive on earth. The "Sacred Operating System" eventually leads to the question of a benevolent God who set these boundaries. While the effects of the laws are reconcilable, the source of the authority is not: Galt's oath is to himself and his own life, whereas the Christian's ultimate allegiance is to a transcendent Creator.

This is a crucial difference, but does not make a ‘practical’ difference. By making the source of truth eternal, faultless – I believe the moral imperative is distanced from any chance of corruption.

2. Original Sin vs. Inherent Innocence Objectivism explicitly rejects the concept of original sin or unearned guilt. John Galt identifies his "first" and greatest achievement as his "refusal to be born with any original sin". Christianity, conversely, is built upon the premise that man is "born in sin" and requires divine grace for redemption. This creates an irreconcilable difference in their views of human nature: Galt sees himself as "fully integrated" and "perfect," while the Christian sees himself as a "broken man" in need of a Saviour.

The original sin is self-evident. Mankind is demonstrably weak, evil and selfish.

3. The Nature of Pity and Forgiveness In Objectivism, justice is the only form of mercy; to forgive the guilty or to feel pity for the incompetent is seen as an act of treason against the good. Galt warns Rearden against the "sin of forgiveness" and describes pity as a weapon used by the weak to destroy the strong. While the "Sacred Operating System" acknowledges that "need does not create a right," Christianity places a high value on grace and unconditional love. Objectivism views the "giving of the undeserved" as the essence of evil, whereas Christianity views it as the essence of the Gospel.

My reconciliation of this is that grace is a gift that allows man to shed guilt, and move forward with renewed, unencumbered vigour. The ‘undeserved’ giving can only be truly demonstrated by God, but Mankind can try. It is not the ‘gracious giving’ that is the problem. It is the graceless demanding of gifts that is to be condemned. If you demand charity, you are not worthy of receiving it.

4. The Final End: Earth vs. Heaven Objectivism is a philosophy for "living on this earth". Its "Atlantis" is a physical valley in the Rocky Mountains where men produce copper and engines. For the Christian, while the Commandments are a guide for "life in the land," the final end is transcendent and eternal. Objectivism treats the "dream of heaven" as a fraud used to make men accept "bondage to flesh," while Christianity treats the material world as a "sacred trust" but not the ultimate reality.

The Christian take on it simply imbues meaning. It does not provide an excuse and it does not allow you to live differently

Think of human nature as a highly sophisticated jet engine. Objectivism provides the mathematical laws of aerodynamics and the chemical composition of the fuel required for flight; it identifies that if you fill a furnace with ice instead of coal, it will not work. The Christian Faith provides the "user manual" and the "safety guardrails" that prevent the engine from vibrating itself to pieces by ensuring it remains balanced and integrated.

While the Objectivist focuses on the mechanics of the "motor" and the Christian focuses on the "Architect" and the "Operating System," both agree on a terrifying reality: if you ignore the laws of the engine's design, the result is not a "new form of freedom," but a catastrophic crash. They are both fighting the same "anti-industrial revolution"—the attempt to run a world by the "mooching of tears" and the "looting of force" rather than by the light of a reasoning mind.