ndrosen

The other day, I found my way to an interview with the late Professor Milton Friedman back in the 1990s (the interviewer, Brian Doherty, died recently). I think that Friedman had wise words on various matters, and I was particularly struck by his views of Ayn Rand (whom he never met): “As I always have said, she had an extremely good influence on all those who did not become Randians. But if they became Randians, they were hopeless.”

That makes sense. Atlas Shrugged dramatizes the results of government trying to take over everything and manage the economy. Some of Rand’s essays standing up for liberty are also memorable, and make cogent points. But you should not mistake her for the great philosopher she thought she was.

Or, as someone said after the 2008 election, “You can disagree with her philosophy, and you can say that her heroes aren’t realistic. But you have to say one thing for her: it has now become clear that her villains are pretty realistic.”

And now to work.