I read most of Ayn Rand's works 20 plus years ago. Like most theorists, her strength was her extremism in her views. I take from her like I take from most thinkers, that which makes sense to me, and reject that which contradicts my own sense or faith. In the case of Rand, I celebrate, along with her, the talents and abilities of the gifted. To a lesser extent I agree with her rejection of altruism, but only to the extent that it leads to a sense of entitlement among those who are its beneficiaries. Altruism makes ME feel good, and so has value to me, and so by helping others I am, in a sense, being selfish, as Rand champions. I also favor giving enough assistance to others so as to encourage them to become productive, or more productive, which benefits them directly, and the rest of us indirectly. She would disagree with my religious faith, but the use of my ability to reason, coupled with a level of human intuition, provides me with no honest alternative.
Sorry for the rant, just my initial reaction to this post. And I HAVE to go see The Incredibles.
I don't think Rand was against altruism at all.
What she hated was FORCED altruism via the government.
Some would call it "idealism".
I take from her like I take from most thinkers, that which makes sense to me
You might recall that she recommended no more than that. She was a self-proclaimed philosopher, after all. Understanding was vital to her.
Altruism makes ME feel good, and so has value to me, and so by helping others I am, in a sense, being selfish
Reminds me of a funny rant by Kant regarding regarding the apparent impossibility of altruism.
Sorry for the rant, just my initial reaction to this post.
Not at all. A very interesting post. You sound like an introspecting individual.
I saw the "Incredibles" when it first came out. Now I vaguely do remember some thought of Rand popping into my head when I watched it. But that was quickly washed away by thoughts of Hillary Clinton who resembles the female lead.
Beware of altruism. It is based on self deception, the root of all evil.
ROBERT HEINLEIN