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Well, I think what Rand is talking about when she says "selfishness" and what other people are talking about when they say "selfishness" are two slightly different things.


Precisely right.

Rand was an atheist. To her, humans are the supreme beings, and each person's "prime directive" is to develop their talents and abilities. To lable this as selfish isn't really apt; I suppose "self-ish" would do.

Another theme in Atlas Shrugged glorifies the titans of industry, because they're the risk-takers that advance mankind [and exploit all earth's resources for the good of man...which makes me wonder what she'd think about global warming]. The simplistic interpretation is often that Rand espouses greed and trashing the earth, but that's not it.

For those of you who haven't read it, the main plot line revolves around a bunch of bigshots who gradually begin to disappear: No note, no financial affairs wrapped up, no evidence of foul play... They just poof.

What do you suppose happens in their absence? You'll have to read the book, but she makes the observation that there are two types of people. Those who DO things, and all those others who make a living off the efforts of those people-- The bureaucrats, regulatory commissions, politicians, etc. She has no respect whatsoever for those folks.

Uh, but anyway...She's not down on the poor. She simply makes the point that there'd be a lot more of them if the bigshots weren't researching, dreaming, taking risks, and investing their capital to do big things.

I really need to reread it. I'm sure I've done a poor job here.

P/P