| AYN | Rand whose "'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality," per Gore Vidal |
| AYNRAND | Russian-born US writer whose philosophy, 'objectivism', was popularised in her books The Fountainhead (1943) and Atlas Shrugged (1957) (3,4) |
| ATLASSHRUGGED | Novel by Ayn Rand whose characters include John Galt (5,8) |
| TAOISEACH | Chinese philosophy is for the whole lot in the House (9) |
| NIHILIST | One whose guiding philosophy is "Whatdoes it matter?" |
| REALISM | The practical philosophy is seen in the kingdom (7) |
| TAOISM | Philosophy is subordinate to love in what goes to a Scotsman's head |
| PURLIEU | Nearly perfect invention for all to see in favourite haunt (7) |
| ASNEEZE | "Laughter without a tinge of philosophy is but ___ of humor" (Mark Twain) |
| ETHICS | Moral philosophy is the alternative final indication of a science (6) |
| WORDS | "Philosophy is common sense with big ___" (James Madison) |
| TAOIST | Follower of eastern philosophy is absorbed by odd parts of that holy book (6) |
| ASSESSMENT | “Philosophy is explicitness, generality, orientation and ____” (Ernest Gellner) |
| SPHERAL | To be symmetrical or perfect in form, is said to be what (7) |
| JUSTSO | Only in order that it be perfect in every detail (4,2) |
| IVORYSOAP | Cake known for its nearly perfect purity |
| NINES | Nearly perfect scores, in some sports |
| UTO | Imaginary society possessing highly desirable or nearly perfect qualities, as in the cultivars of Phlox x arendsii, and the floribunda rose (3) |
| PIA | Imaginary society possessing highly desirable or nearly perfect qualities, as in the cultivars of Phlox x arendsii, and the floribunda rose (3) |
| SIMMS | Nearly perfect Giants quarterback in 1987 |
