A Morality of Rational Self-Interest

The left's pushback against the "going Galt" phenomenon seems to have peaked, but the fact is, we're likely just now seeing the beginning of a larger philosophical debate on morality, rationalism, and self-interest.

Today's Wall Street Journal features a piece by Yaron Brooks, the executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute, who notes, that the "fight for a morality of rational self-interest" explains the rising popularity of Ayn Rand's books and ideas.

But I particularly like Edward Cline's piece this afternoon, "On The Left-Wing Reaction to John Galt, Ayn Rand, and Tea Parties":

The world seems to be emerging from a moral and intellectual coma, perhaps temporarily, perhaps permanently. It is discovering that other ideas have other consequences, as well, ideas that promote life, promote prosperity, promote ambition and personal success, and that they are possible only in political freedom, and that this freedom has been violated, abridged, and nullified by the first set of ideas. True, politics is the last thing to be affected by a philosophical revolution. But one cannot help but be pleased with how startled the collectivists and altruists are now by the knowledge that they have not successfully pulled a fast one on Americans. These Americans have come knocking on the doors of elitists or leaning over the café railings or invading their legislated smoke-free bars and restaurants to ask: What in hell do you think you are doing?