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It was years ago when I read Ayn Rand's large novel, The Fountainhead. I loved it. At that time (back in the 80s) I didn't realize that it was written by a philosopher of selfishness. Rand has been one of the most important foundational writers for the Libertarian movement. Now, there are some things about Libertarianism that I like. But the Randian emphasis on self-interest to the point of praising selfishness is too much for me. Alan Greenspan was a disciple of Rand, but I don't know how much her philosophy influenced his economic theory. Certainly his belief that the Market should be left alone is consistent with her viewpoint.
Ayn Rand was influenced a great deal by Nietzsche. Part of the pull of her writing is its emphasis on individualism and non-conformity. Those are American values to some extent. But Rand's atheism gave her no foundation for a transcendent guarantee of her values. It's one thing to affirm individualism; it's another to go to the extreme of neglecting the need to share and care for one another.
Ayn Rand called her philosophy 'Objectivism.' It was supposedly totally scientific and based on reason alone, without emotion. The trouble is that when you absolutize reason you are left with only a partial view of reality.
Rand has influenced the contemporary debate about economics by her theory that the rich have no moral obligation to share with the poor. We hear her philosophy repeated by Rush Limbaugh and others when they claim that liberals want a class war. Any talk of distribution of wealth is quickly kicked out of the discussion with a strong Randian objection to requiring any reciprocity from the well-off toward the economic system that has rewarded them with wealth. In Ayn Rand's thought capitalism becomes a god. Sharing is an evil, socialist idea.
Reason is important. Individualism in proper perspective is good. Capitalism is a wonderful invention. But the lack of balance in Ayn Rand's system of thought is dangerous to our society, and to an individual's spiritual health.
