In applying an ethics based on rational self-interest to social situations, we must first recognize that society enormously enhances the individual's life. The notion of a life in isolation, unspoiled by the supposed evils of civilization, holds Romantic attraction only to those whose experience of it includes store-bought backpacks, camping gear, clothing, and other tools and supplies. Ricardo's law of association (pp. 4.5:22-32) shows how a person obtains important material advantages from voluntary association with even one other person, advantages that are greatly multiplied in larger social groups. Moreover, only in a social context can individuals benefit from the sharing of ideas or satisfy such objective psychological needs as companionship or romantic love. All of these circumstances render the individual dependent upon others, in one sense of the word.

The benefits of society are not unconditional, however. In order fully to realize the objective benefits of associating with other people, an individual must first recognize a principle of independence—a principle which is determined both by one's own nature and by the nature of the other human beings with whom one associates. As we have already observed, a human being must be able to think and act in an autonomous fashion, exercising his or her independent judgment, in order to function well. Independence was previously seen to be one of the cardinal virtues, necessary to one's life and well-being (pp. 3.10:9-10); furthermore, the adverse practical consequences of suppressing independent thought and action were seen repeatedly in our survey of interventionism in Section 4. If human beings need a social context to attain their objective values, that context must nevertheless permit them to make their own decisions and to act accordingly.