What’s Living and Dead in Ayn Rand’s Moral and Political Thought

Ayn Rand has been dead for 27 years, but the influence of the iconoclastic novelist and philosopher shows no sign of flagging. With the publication of two new major books about Ayn Rand (Ayn Rand and the World She Made by Anne C. Heller and Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right by Jennifer Burns) and an upsurge in public interest in her thought (witness the sales figures of her novels and the signs of “Tea Party” protesters threatening to “Go Galt”) the American public is evidently as excited as ever about Ayn Rand. The time would seem ripe, then, for a reappraisal of her ideas. However, Rand is a polarizing figure and discussions of her thought tend to be either unduly fawning or ignorantly contemptuous. In this edition of Cato Unbound we aim to fill some of the vast middle ground between these extremes with a probing, critical discussion of Rand’s moral and political thought by philosophers familiar with, and perhaps influenced by, Rand’s philosophy. What accounts for Rand’s ongoing appeal? Are her arguments for ethical egoism defensible? Does a social order based on individual rights, limited government, and free markets require, as Rand argued, a fundamental reshaping of our culture’s moral assumptions? What, if anything, should we take into the future from Rand’s moral and political thought, and what, if anything, should we leave behind?

St. John’s University philosopher Douglas B. Rasmussen kicks of this issue with a lead essay that asks “Why Ayn Rand?” as well as series of tough questions for our panel of contributors. Three outstanding Rand-literate philosophers will tackle Rasmussen’s questions and add their own. On deck, we have Auburn University’s Roderick Long. He’ll be followed by Michael Huemer of the University of Colorado. Rounding out our lineup we have Neera K. Badhwar of the University of Oklahoma.

As always, Cato Unbound readers are encouraged to take up our themes, and enter into the conversation on their own websites and blogs, or on other venues. Trackbacks are enabled. Cato Unbound will search the web for the best commentary on our monthly topic, and, with permission, may publish it alongside our invited contributors. We also welcome your letters. (Send them to wwilkinson at cato.org.)