<p>Talking about Rand’s hatred to religion…
She does not believe in blind faith. She believed in reason and human’s ability to reason. That is truly intelligent in my opinion.</p>
<p>^…I think people started thinking that way even before the Enlightenment.</p>
<p>In my opinion, Ayn Rand’s problem is that she started building her philosophy with the intention to discredit Communism. (She had every reason to hate Communism, but when you’re trying to derive something with logic, you have to start with a blank slate.) To make this work, she had to gloss over some aspects of life and human nature.
I think the main value in reading Ayn Rand is that it makes you question some deep-rooted beliefs, eg “selfishness is bad.” Even if you don’t agree with her conclusions, you have to appreciate that.</p>
<p>Also, it’s important to note that the dictionary definition of “selfish” is promoting one’s own interests to the DISREGARD of others.</p>
<p>Rand believed the one could be selfish…minus the <em>disregard</em> part (if that makes sense).</p>
<p>Also, her metaphysics (objective reality) and epistemology (reason) aren’t too innovation (she owes philosophical debt to Aristotle, as she says), her defense of capitalism is less economic and more moral, and her ethics of rational self-interest is, to me, the most intriguing part of her philosophy.</p>
<p>^I completely agree. The fact that she is so thought-provoking and forces you to reexamine your own values and beliefs is pretty incredible.</p>
<p>“.I think people started thinking that way even before the Enlightenment.”
Wrong - There is a clear difference between Ayn Rand and Enlightement that goes with evolution of human intelligence. Yet it is true she adored Aristotle and borrowed his way of reasoning. </p>
<p>The way she thinks in terms of writers: Aristotle, Hugo, then Rand. It was very presumptious, but that’s Rand.</p>
<p>"I think the main value in reading Ayn Rand is that it makes you question some deep-rooted beliefs, eg “selfishness is bad.” Even if you don’t agree with her conclusions, you have to appreciate that. "
AGREED.</p>