This book argues that individualism is far from being dead. Machan does not reject the social nature of the human being, but he also finds that every human being is a self-directed agent who is responsible for what he or she does.
Objectivity stands in need of a defence because it is a difficult ideal to serve, especially in an era of multiculturalism, deconstructionism, feminism, and diversity. This book considers and responds to these and similar challenges to objectivity.