In Ayn Rand’s version of ethics, called objectivism, the individual is motivated by morality to place his/her individual interests above any others. Rand states the highest moral principle is the attainment of happiness, and that any endeavor that elevates someone or something that the individual does not value is irrational. Sacrificing something or someone of value to self in order to preserve something or someone not of value to self is an act of immorality.
In an example of objectivism, Rand tells the story of a man who has the option to save his wife at the expense of ...