I think there is such a thing as enlightened self-interest, but it's rather rare. A truly wise person is aware enough to see that their own self-interest is coincident with the interests of others. That is, what will benefit those around one will also benefit oneself...in the long run. The best solution is one that benefits all parties. One has to have attained a good deal of maturity and also be of excellent character and also respect and value others to arrive at that awareness.

As I said, such people are rather rare.

Our present social order caters not to such people, but to the rich, clever, and ruthless. I found Ayn Rand's philosophical musings to be primitive, cartoon-like, and virtually unreadable.


Bill D - Is it Ron Paul you're referring to? I don't know if he is genuinely a disciple of Ayn Rand, but I find most of what he says sensible, straightforward, courageous, and well worth listening to...whereas I find Ayn Rand's writing utterly unpalatable.