What do you think of Ayn Rands philosophy of rational egoism and value for value?
I don’t think that it necessarily teaches a lack of concern for others, and definitely doesn’t teach contempt. If you study her philosophy closely, you will find that it only undermines the impact that each of us has on our own surroundings. “She believed that individuals should choose their values and actions solely by reason. According to Rand, the individual ‘must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life.'” If limited resources were not a variable in the equation of existence, this theory might work effectively. “Nor sacrifice others to himself” is very important in the context of her philosophy. Just because you are pursuing your own self-interest does not ALWAYS mean that you are acting contemptible. It is all about trying to persue your own interest while not having an effect on anyone [so she says]. Therefore, her
