The Journal of Libertarian Studies

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Money is the Product of Virtue: Tensions in Rand's Invocation of Market Success

The Journal of Libertarian Studies

Tags Media and CultureMoney and BanksMoney and BankingPhilosophy and Methodology

07/30/2014Jennifer Baker

Casual acquaintance with Ayn Rand’s ideas often involves the assumption that Rand would approve of Oliver Stone’s character Gordon Gekko (of “greed is good” fame) and of popular rich guys such as Donald Trump. It is easy to correct the misapprehension concerning Gordon Gekko. He spouts a philosophy at odds with Rand’s, insisting that morality must be abandoned for wealth while she suggests the opposite. But explaining why Rand would not approve of Donald Trump is a trickier matter—if it does not seem so, start to give it a try.

Volume 21, Number 4 (2007)

Author:

Jennifer Baker

Jennifer Baker is assistant professor of philosophy at the College of Charleston

Cite This Article

Baker, Jennifer. "Money is the Product of Virtue: Tensions in Rand's Invocation of Market Success." Journal of Libertarian Studies 21, No. 4 (2007): 37–53.