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[[Image:Jhyu65.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Ayn Rand. A philosopher and writer who developed the [[Objectivism | Objectivist]] school of thought]]

[[Image:Jhyu65.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Ayn Rand. A philosopher and writer who developed the [[Objectivism|Objectivist]] school of thought]]

'''Ayn Rand''' (1905-1982) was a conservative author and libertarian activist. Ayn Rand was a [[fiscal conservative]] advocating free unregulated capitalism. She opposed [[collectivism]], [[socialism]],[[communism]] and [[fascism]]. However on social issues, she was more liberal. Ayn Rand as a big supporter of unlimited [[abortion]]-on-demand,<ref>Ayn Rand wrote that "An embryo ''has no rights''. ...  A child cannot acquire any rights until it is born." http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_FAQ#obj_nr_vs_ar (emphasis in original)</ref> and an [[atheism|atheist]] writer.  She began her career in Hollywood, and has been described as a [[libertarian]] and promoter of a philosophy known as [[Objectivism]]. Her best-known novels are [[Atlas_Shrugged|''Atlas Shrugged'']] and ''[[The Fountainhead]]''. Ayn Rand asserted that selfishness was a virtue and [[altruism]] was wrongheaded (see also: [[Atheism and uncharitableness|Atheism and uncharitableness]]). She wrote a book entitled ''The Virtue of Selfishness''.  

'''Ayn Rand''' (1905-1982) was a conservative author and libertarian activist. Ayn Rand was a [[fiscal conservative]] advocating free unregulated capitalism. She opposed [[collectivism]], [[socialism]],[[communism]] and [[fascism]]. However on social issues, she was more liberal. Ayn Rand as a big supporter of unlimited [[abortion]]-on-demand,<ref>Ayn Rand wrote that "An embryo ''has no rights''. ...  A child cannot acquire any rights until it is born." http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_FAQ#obj_nr_vs_ar (emphasis in original)</ref> and an [[atheism|atheist]] writer.  She began her career in Hollywood, and has been described as a [[libertarian]] and promoter of a philosophy known as [[Objectivism]]. Her best-known novels are ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'' and ''[[The Fountainhead]]''. Ayn Rand asserted that selfishness was a virtue and [[altruism]] was wrongheaded (see also: [[Atheism and uncharitableness]]). She wrote a book entitled ''The Virtue of Selfishness''.  

She was a highly political author, with her novels often serving as political messages. She advocated laissez faire capitalism, with minimum government intervention (known by the name Minarchism) in business and strongly objected to socialism and nationalism. Combined, more than twelve million copies of her two best-known novels have been sold in the U.S. alone. Despite her anti-Christian and liberal views on social issues, her opposition to state economic intervention has made her works and philosophy popular with the [[TEA Party]] movement.<ref>''Ayn Rand stars at Denver stimulus ‘tea party’ protest'', Colorado Independent, Wendy Norris - 2/28/09 - [http://coloradoindependent.com/23026/ayn-rand-stars-at-denver-stimulus-tea-party-protest] </ref>

She was a highly political author, with her novels often serving as political messages. She advocated laissez faire capitalism, with minimum government intervention (known by the name Minarchism) in business and strongly objected to socialism and nationalism. Combined, more than twelve million copies of her two best-known novels have been sold in the U.S. alone. Despite her anti-Christian and liberal views on social issues, her opposition to state economic intervention has made her works and philosophy popular with the [[TEA Party]] movement.<ref>''Ayn Rand stars at Denver stimulus ‘tea party’ protest'', Colorado Independent, Wendy Norris - 2/28/09 - [http://coloradoindependent.com/23026/ayn-rand-stars-at-denver-stimulus-tea-party-protest]</ref>

Her first name "Ayn" rhymes with "mine", and she was born in Russia as '''Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum.'''  

Her first name "Ayn" rhymes with "mine", and she was born in Russia as '''Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum.'''  

Rand's most famous and powerful follower was [[Alan Greenspan]] (b. 1926), long-time head of the Federal Researve System (1987-2006), though it is difficult to see manifestations of Rand's ideas in Greenspan's work.  

Rand's most famous and powerful follower was [[Alan Greenspan]] (b. 1926), long-time head of the Federal Researve System (1987-2006), though it is difficult to see manifestations of Rand's ideas in Greenspan's work.  

Rand was a moral absolutist with the virtues of rationality and hard-work as central themes to her writing. However, conservatives reject Rand’s elevation of reason over faith, sentiment, and tradition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlassociety.org/myth-ayn-rand-was-conservative|title=Myth: Ayn Rand was a Conservative|author=William R. Thomas}}</ref> Social conservatives in particular reject Rand’s view that sexual fulfillment is an important part of life and not merely limited to procreation. Her views are seen as hedonistic, selfish, and sinful--she accepts the usage of birth control and abortion<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5105|title=Abortion:An Absolute Right|publisher=The Ayn Rand Center}}</ref> as proper means to an active sexual life without the consequences of child-rearing. In general Rand’s view of the perfection of human character is at odds with the Christian view of man’s essential sinfulness.

Rand was a moral absolutist with the virtues of rationality and hard-work as central themes to her writing. However, conservatives reject Rand’s elevation of reason over faith, sentiment, and tradition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlassociety.org/myth-ayn-rand-was-conservative|title=Myth: Ayn Rand was a Conservative|author=William R. Thomas}}</ref> Social conservatives in particular reject Rand’s view that sexual fulfillment is an important part of life and not merely limited to procreation. Her views are seen as hedonistic, selfish, and sinful—she accepts the usage of birth control and abortion<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5105|title=Abortion:An Absolute Right|publisher=The Ayn Rand Center}}</ref> as proper means to an active sexual life without the consequences of child-rearing. In general Rand’s view of the perfection of human character is at odds with the Christian view of man’s essential sinfulness.

Rand's philosophy was anti-Christian to the point of even declaring that "faith, as such, is extremely detrimental to human life: it is the negation of reason."<ref>http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_topic_religion%</ref>  While Rand advocates absolutes in the realm of ethics,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/absolutes.html

Rand's philosophy was anti-Christian to the point of even declaring that "faith, as such, is extremely detrimental to human life: it is the negation of reason."<ref>http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_topic_religion%</ref>  While Rand advocates absolutes in the realm of ethics,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/absolutes.html

In metaphysics and epistemology, Rand argued for a reality-based outlook as opposed to the subjectivism of progressive post-modern academia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlassociety.org/tni/postmodern-assault-reason|title=The Postmodern Assault on Reason|author=Roger Donway|publication=The New Individualist}}</ref>  

In metaphysics and epistemology, Rand argued for a reality-based outlook as opposed to the subjectivism of progressive post-modern academia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlassociety.org/tni/postmodern-assault-reason|title=The Postmodern Assault on Reason|author=Roger Donway|publication=The New Individualist}}</ref>  

Rand can appeal to those conservatives who emphasize the Greco-Roman tradition of Western Civilization, especially Aristotle, while she disappoints those who give greater emphasis to the Judeo-Christian influence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6164|title=The Greatness of Western Civilization|author=Edwin A. Locke|publisher=Ayn Rand Center}}</ref> She continues to attract converts, especially the young, to right-leaning Republican politics--including notable figures with more traditional outlooks.

Rand can appeal to those conservatives who emphasize the Greco-Roman tradition of Western Civilization, especially Aristotle, while she disappoints those who give greater emphasis to the Judeo-Christian influence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6164|title=The Greatness of Western Civilization|author=Edwin A. Locke|publisher=Ayn Rand Center}}</ref> She continues to attract converts, especially the young, to right-leaning Republican politics—including notable figures with more traditional outlooks.

==Similarities to George Orwell==

==Similarities to George Orwell==

*''[[The Virtue of Selfishness]]''

*''[[The Virtue of Selfishness]]''

== See Also ==

== See also ==

* [[Atlas Shrugged]] by Ayn Rand

* [[Atlas Shrugged]] by Ayn Rand

* [[Big government]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[Nanny state]], leads to [[Police state]]

* [[Big government]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[Nanny state]], leads to [[Police state]]

<references/>

<references/>

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer Ayn Rand Institute]

*[http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer Ayn Rand Institute]

*[http://www.ARIwatch.com ARI Watch] — argues that the above misrepresents Ayn Rand.

*[http://www.ARIwatch.com ARI Watch] — argues that the above misrepresents Ayn Rand.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rand, Ayn}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rand, Ayn}}

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