[Floribama]

I see what you're saying. And, of course, there are holes in Rand's philosophy (it's just a novel). But my question is, can't something be moral and in one's self interest too? I don't accept the premise that it's in our self interest to lie and cheat our way to success. Could it be that morality is a way for humans to live in a society without having to be in constant fear of an attack? Although it would seem to be in my self interest to steal from someone weaker than me, in the aggregate it wouldn't be in my self interest, because someone stronger than I is eventually going to come along and take my stuff or hurt my family. Only by living morally can we live according to Rand's philosophy, if you will, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.
If you accept the opinion of some on this board it would seems that they believe that what Rand was saying was if it feels good, do it. That is a specious position, because stealing or lying is not truly in my self interest. Galt's gulch would have been full of con men if this had been the case.

[Tired of Taxes]

I think you and I (and Rand) are in agreement. Yes, as per Rand’s philosophy - er, at least, my understanding of it - doing something in one’s self-interest is moral. But, lying and cheating would be immoral. Only producers who were honest people were invited to the Gulch. I remember one was a boy who’d worked on the trains. That is, you didn’t have to be a big business owner to be invited. Rand seems to have valued honest work that produced something. That was my understanding of her philosophy, anyway.