EXISTENCE Index

Existence and consciousness are the irreducible starting points of all human thought. You are accepting them every time you form a meaningful thought. They are primaries and you cannot derive them from anything more basic. Existence and consciousness are called AXIOMATIC in Ayn Rand's system.

For example, the statement "This is a computer screen. ", is assuming:

· A computer screen exists.

· A consciousness exists to make the statement.

· A consciousness exists to read it.

If you study Objectivism you will also frequently see the term 'Primacy of Existence' to describe the importance given to existence over consciousness. Consciousness exists and is vital to man, but it is only one of many things that exist.