[Aristophanes]

When I was in college I was an atheist conservative/libertarian type and a huge fan of Ayn Rand. One semester I ran into that rarest of rare birds, a conservative Philosophy professor. He too exhibited a high-regard for libertarian and conservative thought, and Ayn Rand in general.

However, one day after class I was talking to him about Rand, and he pointed out to me that although Rand was right about many things, there was nonetheless a certain "viciousness" to her. I've never forgotten that particular insight. It marked the beginning of the end of my atheism.

[CatoRenasci]

Hmmm, yes. There is a tendency among those for whom serious thought about ideas is not a habit to conclude that because a thinker is correct (or agrees with what one views as correct) about several important points, their entire system must be correct and their insights about all matters must be of value. Such is the case of Objectivists, as the Randites call themselves.

There is surely a meaness in Rand, most evident in Atlas Shrugged perhaps, that makes one wonder. Her views on altruism are best seen as a caricature of the Marxist critique of the Protestant ethic. And, her personal life and the whole imbroglio with the Brandens and her husband reminds one of Rousseau's despicable abandonment of his children to orphanages.

Well, read early, read often, and read critically!