What a beautiful speech. It's something that I can relate to so much. I believe it's crucial for a man to invest in their self-interests; it's really important for a man to be in his most elevated state of mind in terms of how he views himself before even thinking about pursuing a romantic relationship. This is such an interesting interview. I just don't like how the interviewer responded to her. I wished he had let her talk instead of always cutting her off. This just shows how dismissive people were. She made great points, but they kept getting disregarded because of society's beliefs at the time.

Ah look at this, people actually debating and asking hard questions on television. Haven't seen that in a while

I love the part where she points out that if you love everyone indiscriminately, you are actually loving nobody.love implies an affinity and special concern for something. If it is doled out indiscriminately, it ceases to have meaning.

*The fault in my college education, was my philosophy teacher taught Ayn Rand's Objectivism's philosophy as problematic. I knew I loved her view on life and believed in it, yet he taught me it was incorrect. Philosophy should not be taught with a view of right and wrong, we are students and free to choose.*

"man cannot expect love if he does not deserve it" Love this!!!!

I totally get it! Let's not water down emotions by giving love away freely. Let's make it mean something to us, for us! For my own sake! I love you because I see value and morals in you. I love you because you deserve it. I know what love is because I love myself fully and I can share with you the same love I feel for myself. I serve you because I serve myself. Ayn Rand is awesome

He accuses her of reducing love to a business transaction when it is he that is referring to monetary social programs and taxes as "love"

Wow. As a man who's worked most of my life for the benefit of others I can say she's right. A man does not have the obligation to sacrifice his life for the sake of others, but should pursue his own happiness. Choosing to sacrifice for the sake of others because it makes him happy would still fit within her philosophy if I'm not mistaken. It must be his free will choice, though. She speaks against altruism and even says it's evil. This is an interesting thought exercise. Is there anything we can do that is truly altruistic? In other words, no matter what kindness we do for others, isn't there always a personal benefit or selfish motive? It may not be visible or noticeable by others but it's there.

The Declaration of Independence did not state '......life, liberty and the pursuit of self sacrifice.' now did it? The ones that scream loudest for the 'self sacrifice' of others are always the ones with little to sacrifice themselves. Funny how that works.

Rand's philosophy is most useful in the psychological realm, in terms of dealing with the pressures of family, friends and peers to live for them, and sacrifice one's own goals and ambitions to the needs of others. Consider the freedom from guilt one gains when one is able to say "I will not give up my life or my future to tend to the weakness or decay of others."

I think she should have mentioned that love is selfish by nature. You love people because it benefits you to do so. if you say you love someone but you actually hate them, you don't love them... it's pretty simple. Their values benefit you. you keep them around because they're useful to you. Communal form of any type only exist to serve self interest or they wouldn't emerge.

I don't understand what the alternative to her view of love is meant to be. If you have no standards by which to judge other people, how can you draw any distinction between one person and another? If you can't do that, then how can you claim to love anyone in any meaningful way?

For a guy that's super preachy and on a moral high horse Mike Wallace sure is being judgemental, argumentative, sarcastic, condescending, arrogant, self centered, self-righteous and rude. And by example she pretty much proves her point by remaining calm, patient, thoughtful, intelligent, profound, logical, analytical, critical thinking and honest.

She is so right. People down here in the comments and that guy in the video have completely misunderstood her. She is very right about what she is saying

There's a huge difference between me seeing my neighbor in need, feeling compassion, and therefore freely deciding to supply their need or to assist them in some way, versus me seeing my neighbor in need and using their need as a justification to compel others to assist or to forcibly take from others in order to share what I have taken with the neighbor in need. The first is benevolence whereas the second is malevolence or tyranny. Moreover, struggle is a necessary condition for human growth and fulfillment. Take away the chance for failure and you have at the same time taken away the chance for success. Take away the reason to voluntarily do good and eventually nobody will.

People do everything for themselves, even altruism. Some feel good when helping others, either because they were taught to feel good or because they feel the pain of others through empathy. So I mostly agree with her objectivism. I think all the hate she gets is because most people have different standards in life. I may not agree with hers because it doesn't suite me, but she is accurate in portraying how the human mind works.

HIS HIGHEST MORAL PURPOSE IS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF HIS OWN HAPPINESS.

this is the philosophy i was searching for my whole life

I find that most who dismiss Ayn Rand’s morality don’t really understand it. Her “selfishness” is long-term, principled self-interest. People are a combination of the physical and mental, and your self-interest includes psychological values. Self-interest is not to be reduced to only the physical, such as money. Other people can be of tremendous psychological value (i.e. friends, lovers, children.) Rand recognized that benevolence toward strangers is in one’s own interest, in a free country.

Every time I watch her interviews, I find myself in awe of her thinking and philosophy of life!

so many people are getting her concept wrong. that's what is making people hate her.

this philosophy is a great anchor, individualism is easily forgotten and masses of the general public are too humanistic, too reliant on others and vice versa.

2:26 “are these accurate criticisms?” “Yes” 😂😂😂 Ayn Rand is the man!

This interviewer bias positioning is the reason why we have yet to achieve higher conclusions on regards to the human condition. But then again she holds it together and rises above it. What an example!!

Why is it that when it comes to objectivism, people become so emotionally against it. Geez! There's no reason to the people refuting it, no facts, only a deep, irrational hatred. I wouldn't be so disturbed if someone had a rational counter-argument to the topic, but the more I look, the crazier it gets. It's really disquieting.

Her eyes !! She was ahead of her times. What she says is relevant today too.

The further a society drifts from Truth the more it will *hate* those *who speak it.* - George Orwell

I don't agree with Rand on most issues, but when she describes Love, she describes it in the most accurate terms. It's not so much a system of morality, but a true description of human behaviour.

She plays no games... lol I love it. We need more objectivity in society today- too much arbitrarity and decisions fueled by emotions and not reason. Emotions are important but need to be subject to reason, because it is the only reason that gives man the best likelihood of doing what ought to be done, not what he feels is right or is to be done, objectively.

I haven't fully explored Ayn Rand's philosophy (only seen this video and read a few chapters of the Fountainhead) but I think she is misunderstood. I have a feeling people might have taken her philosophy at a rather surface/face value and labelled it selfish and evil. But I think there is more to it. I think its deeper and more profound than just being plain selfish.

I love the fact that in our society, we will take care of those who truly cannot function independently. That said, the philosophy offered by Ayn Rand need not destroy our tolerance for one another - we have the free will to tolerate and respect one another, but the idea of having RATIONAL(ie I won't harm others even though I know what I want) self interest is absolutely sound in that it is to neither assume being greater or weaker than another by birth, but to strive for his own greatness.

I don't think Mike is getting it. It's not about Loving someone, you can be concerned about your neighbors welfare, but you need to take care of yourself. And if he won't go earn his own living he shouldn't expect you to give it to him (sacrifice yourself), even if you feel bad for him, he needs to earn his own way, not have it handed to him by (big brother).

Note to all High School Debate Team members--do NOT debate Ayn Rand. You will only get a participation trophy .

Humans from the ancient of times have loved or selected a mate based on certain idiosyncrasies.We don't just love anyone,none of us have fallen in love on a whim,be it beauty or certain quality,it has always been a specific characteristics of a person which separates them from others which has attracted us to them,or in other words,a virtue!

I love this woman...and yes, I LOVE myself

Wow. It has taken me years to realise that I fully agree with Ayn Rand. In every possible way. That's why often people don't manage to understand where I'm coming from, where I'm arriving at. Yes, indeed. Man ought to strive for his/her own happiness first. He shouldn't be forced to self sacrifice - that should AT ALL TIMES be left to his judgement.

6:00 He dodges that question purposefully. He didn't want his wife to hear that he loved her because he had to, not because he wanted to.

I enjoyed the way she explained all and the man was a real interviewer asking and hearing her, knowing about the book, sadly those days has gone, when real reporters were in TV

No! We love other people, even strangers and the undeserving, because we are humans with empathy. It's who we are and we need to embrace it. We know that we are part of a family and community and that to be a part of that community we must care about others and expect others to care about us. This is not about a controlling government or church, it is who we are.

"My philosophy is BASED" Absolutely

Rational and respectful debate and exchange of ideas. How unfortunate that this has disappeared from public discourse today, mainstream and online media. We are so much poorer for this loss. We have seemingly dumbed down some many things

What an interesting way of viewing life.

1:16 - LOL - Wallace completely exposed for being intellectually outclassed. He also interrupts way too much.

Wow, she just defined my whole mindset. Something ive been unable to explain my whole life.

She was a Vulcan...

I just watched this for the first time and love it!

she is just saying love yourself first, do what makes you happy, and let other people do their thing

“There are very few of us, then in this world, by your standards, who are worthy of love” Rand: “Unfortunately yes” She ain’t playing 😂😂😂 In my young 20’s I subconsciously was an altruist; the life experience and seeing the outcomes of altruistic decisions make me wiser. I find myself leaning towards Ayn’s “objectivism”. Success is something you attract by the person you become. Life and societal success. Discipline oneself and build knowledge on the important topics of life. Be accountable for your mistakes and grow from them. The more I adopted these philosophies, it’s seems like a lot of things in my life just naturally improved. Health, fitness, relationships, happiness in life.

maaaan, its the first time a hear this, I dont know yet how to process this. it kind of makes sense.

We seriously need this woman; America is going down the drain due to it's 'altruistic' ideals. I fear for what may come.

Note that Ms. Rand unapologetically uses the indefinite pronoun 'he' in reference to a single, unknown individual which is the standard rule of English grammar. She isn't excluding women; she's just using a SINGULAR pronoun. Second, this discussion from nearly 60 years ago is far more erudite than the shouting matches that pass for debates on current TV.

Her work was utterly prophetic. Met her in 1976, still whip sharp. Anyone who talks about "altruism" is trying to con you - period. What they really mean is that YOU should sacrifice to THEM. Nothing on earth is more selfish than a self-professed altruist.

Beautiful person; love her books.

💚 She was the bravest women of the 20th century 💚

"Private property can only be created through Force," The above is one of the most idiotic statements I've ever read. I would be utterly shocked if an adult would ever say something so absurd. When a person goes into a jewelry store, and buys a necklace, that necklace is now that person's private property, that they have a right to own and use as they wish. What force was used to gain that private property. Absolutely none. It was a mutual exchange of goods for monetary value.

I really appreciate Ayn Rand's philosophy. I desire to be liberal, but am constantly fighting against my nature to be fair and caring. As an American Christian, I believe Rand's vision for the state is wholy correct; it offers no impediment for me to provide means to those I am compassionate for, allows every person to be as effective as they are able, and gaurantees the voluntarily unproductive members of society are at the mercy of those who choose to produce.

TELL THE TRUTH AYN! Love this woman!!!

I love her eyes! I think she misunderstood that there are different forms of love when examined in Greek. Agape is principled love for your fellow man. And it can come from the heart and not controlled by anyone else.

The highest tribute to Ayn Rand, abundantly in evidence here, is that her critics must distort everything she stood for in order to attack her. She advocated reason, not force; the individual's rights to freedom of action, speech, and association; self-responsibility, NOT self-indulgence; & a live-and-let-live society in which each individual is treated as an END, not the MEANS of others' ends. How many critics would dare honestly state these ideas and say, " . . .and that's what I reject"?

Mistakes and corrections: 1 Reality exist as an absolute. my answer: Absolute only in the mind of the person, but relative to other minds. 2. Highest moral purpose is his own happiness. my answer: The highest Moral purpose of man is to live in peace, which brings about happiness to all, not just himself. 3. Man should follow his own personal self interest. my answer: Man should grow in conscience and consciousness towards himself and others. 4. Living for others is Love for others. (Her definition of Altruism) my answer: Altruistic love, is unconditional love, not based on generality but on specificity about individuals and mankind. We don't love hate, jealousy, greed, etc in human beings, but we love compassion, Serenity, Humbleness, Courage, etc. 5. Mans is a sacrificial animal when he is responsible for other human beings. my answer: it's called Objective ethical conduct, based on love and compassion for other human beings, and not a being a sacrificial animal. Had to stop listening to this women, at 4:23 of the video. She doesn't know what she is talking about......

But her own novel 'Fountainhead' was full of bullshit sentimentality, especially towards the end, from the court scene onwards. Derrida pointed out very rightly that in every philosophical text, you can locate arguments against its own thesis. Rand was also displaying a subjective side when she pointed out that she 'created a morality...' She talks of morality here as if it's a work of art- a product born out of subjective underpinnings. Of course, I do think one can create works of art which are objective in nature, but then that objectivity being promoted is a product of the author's subjectivity. Rand's hypothesis that life should be lived objectively is her subjective stance. I don't intend to put anyone down here; I'm just wondering aloud.

Want to see the type of people who argue against Objectivism? Here are a couple of examples of the wonderful, brilliant and intellectually honest saints who make the case for the great ideologies of collectivism and altruism: "whatsgoingon07" just got steamrolled by me in an argument starting with his comment, "She just rationalized sociopathy," and now he, a typical smug Young Turks fan, has blocked me after giving himself the last word. Apparently his case against Objectivism - made so boldly - was so strong that it couldn't withstand a KZfaq comment! And he's not the only collectivist to do so; another one by the name of "TheThirdMan" (note the arrogance in one naming themselves after a brilliant philosophical argument, as if _they_ were its embodiment) reacted similarly when I revealed his numerous contradictions on the topic of regulations in engineering. Of course, he took the collectivist stance and argued vehemently for giving even more power to governments, proclaiming his own nature as the embodiment of "Science" itself, calling my arguments against his a fruitless case against "Science". After I observed his appeal to authority and presented him with apparently irrefutable evidence against his position, he, fed up with my horrible irrationality and sick of dealing with peons like myself, blocked me. He sure showed me! Remember the case these people are making: self-interest is greed and individualism breeds egomaniacs. Ironically, these people are the epitome of egomania and apparently don't even see it....

"How does the bank have nothing to do with free markets if they dictate how much money is worth?" A centralized public bank artificially dictating money's worth is NOT capitalistic. That is the point. It is antithetical to free markets.

It means a husband could tell his wife, i am marrying you just for your own sake... Lol! Thats never the case

One of the great thinkers of our time.

This is not a Christian view. Hence, she was an atheist and opposed Christian morality yet she's very popular among right-wing Christians.

she's so smart.. his feeble mind just couldn't comprehend her ideas as it was a little unconventional back then

Man has free will. Do whatever you want. Love who ever you want and the consequences follows. Wether positive or negative

OMG I just finished reading the atlas shruged and I just realized how deeply inserted were catholic values in my moral code even though I decided to reject this religion when I was a child. Now I now were all this altruistic morality came from.

This woman makes sense.

Ayn Rand was a genius. It is sad that her ideas have yet had so little impact on the world. The Earth would be incomprehensibly more prosperous, peaceful and happy.

Ultruism within the marriage is the EXACT reason why the divorce rate is so high. People think internally that they are not loved by the other because they aren't doing enough for them. Ultruism is selfish in the way that it gives someone an excuse to fall out of love because of a lack of mutual enslavement that is seen as one sided by the slighted party within the relationship.

She might be wrong..But i find myself agreeing with her.

Is Wallace defending socialism?

Say what you will about the content of the interview, but it was remarkably refreshing to see how politely and civilly they discussed the topic.

She speaks as if she is reading of a script. What a bold and beautifull woman.

According to Rand, it is impossible to profit from unethical actions. This is one of the most mind-bogglingly stupid things a person can believe, and it should be immediately dismissed by anyone who has ever lived in the real word or who possesses the slightest bit of intelligence.

Her shifty eyes freak me out. Anyone else?

I love how each of the TV personalities that got the chance to speak with Ayn Rand... CHALLENGE HER!!! HAHAHA. If you have Albert Einstein as your guest speaker, IT IS TO LEARN WHAT HE KNOWS WHAT HE THINKS WHAT HE CAN SHARE WITH YOU AND WHAT HE HAS CONSIDERED DIFFERENTLY FROM YOU. Not to challenge Einstein. That is basically what I saw Wallace and Donahue do.

@casperado666 I would agree that socialism is a great system for those who have no problem with morality of theft and seek to live as dependent children. There are plenty of places that practice this system (Greece, dare I say), but it would be nice if there was one pocket where individual rights are acknowledged. Only capitalism is consistent with the principle of individual rights. When America's light of liberty flickers out, the world will be a very dark place.

The 101 Philosophy of Self-help!

Critics don't understand Rand has no problem with charity, just that you shouldn't sacrifice your own happiness for others. Obviously charity makes people feel good, so that's a win-win. Taxation, or stealing for the "greater good" and calling it charity is not justified because it sacrifices individual freedom. In other words, Rand never thinks slavery is justified, whereas people who disagree do think it is sometimes justified

Wow. She is absolutely ahead of her time.

If only I could speak with half the level of articulation and eloquence displayed here. To say so much truth in so few words. She hit it home. I wish more people still valued having conversations like this these days ..

andrew ryan? anyone?

Ayn Rand 2020!!

(Part 6-D) Rand opposed public education because this is simply consistent with her political philosophy. Which is Minarchism. Again, if you were not so overemotional you would clearly see how absurd it is to say someone is an evil thinker simply because they oppose public education.. Consistent with Rand and Objectivism, education would simply be privatized and put on the free market. Objectivism espouses a separation of education and state, similar to a separation of church and state.

A brilliant woman, whether you agree with her or not. Very consistent/systematic presentation of her ideas, in the most simplified manner possible, while not sacrificing relevant details of the general principles.

I love her.

I always thought that morality was like that for a reason beyond neurotypicals in so I think this to be obvious.

The beauty of her philosophy is the simplicity............True free markets have to work..... Everything else falls into line...

actually, objectivism isn't against helping, only sacrifice. It does not consider immoral the man who gives a dollar to a beggar, but it considers the man who makes a bridge over water by drowning himself evil.

Massive respect for this woman.

mob rule be damned. Does it matter if 99.9999% of human history (including today and "at the time") agrees with the interviewer? IS SHE RIGHT? Argue *that* and we'll have a discussion... Edit: first sentence had a question mark, confused my intent.

"Your go" Ms. Rand, I do believe however that that there were a number of opportunities to question the interviewer's (forget his name) attempts to "dumb things down" for what he estimates is his Ratings Audience.

Even if you do not agree with her philosophy and whatever, Ayn Rand was a remarkably intelligent and talented woman who is very much worth listening to. Her non-fiction works are particularly insightful if you are daunted by the 1000+ page novels.

And, really, what can one say about Objectivism? It isnt so much a philosophy as what someone who has never actually encountered philosophy imagines a philosophy might look like: good hard axiomatic absolutes, a bluff attitude of intellectual superiority, lots of simple atomic premises supposedly immune to doubt, immense and inflexible conclusions, and plenty of assertions about what is "rational" or "objective" or "real." Oh, and of course an imposing brand name ending with an -ism. - David Bentley Hart

Did you like her opinion? Then like this comment.

1. I never said that self-interest was just about one's biological function. 2. suffering is the only real value in the universe. It's value is negative. Therefore we create a positive by alleviating or preventing suffering which isn't always in one's own self-interest. Jumping on a grenade to prevent it from harming others is a good example of this. 3. Not everyone values integrity. But integrity has intrinsic value therefore it we should act with integrity regardless if we value it or not...

"Make yourself worthy of love"