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While many interpretations of Ditko’s exit focus on interpersonal conflicts, his philosophical beliefs also play a crucial role. Ditko was influenced by the philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes individualism and the idea of meritocracy. He believed that creative credit should accurately reflect the contributions of those involved. As his discontent with how credit was distributed grew, his ethical stance became a potential factor in his decision to leave Marvel. His departure could be seen as a principled stand against the perceived inequity in credit allocation between him and Lee.