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> the rand think tank that spews serious amounts of fascist policy. Like so many ideologies, the fan club is what most people dislike. If you are capable of ta

• michaelmrose 8y ago
  "If you are capable of taking Rands philosophies with a grain of salt, there are many brilliant concepts to glean." Such as? Minitel:It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. --Adam Smith Except in practice societies require self interest and benevolence and structures designed to promote the latter in order that we can all enjoy the fruits of our respective labor in a functional society.
  • minitel 8y ago
    The idea that attempting to help others out of a sense of moral duty often ends up harming everyone. (See the way local economies have been destroyed via foreign aid.) The idea that self-interest can form the basis for cooperation and lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. This seems obvious, but our society demonizes "selfishness" so it can be a real epiphany for some people to see it spelled out. That equality often leads to misery, since it's easier to grind everyone down to the same low level than it is to raise everyone up.