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Freedom Book of the Month
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November 2001
Ayn Rand and Business
by Donna Greiner and Theodore Kinni
Texere 2001, hardcover, 209 pp., $16.95
One thing that separated Ayn Rand from many other philosphers was her insistence on that morality and practicality are not mutually excusive. Where other schools of thought dismiss commercial enterprise as either a necessary evil to be tolerated, or an unnecessary evil to be dispensed with, Objectivism celebrates trade as one of man's highest virtues.
"Ayn Rand and Business" turns its sights to this unique aspect of Objectivism, and in so doing functions as an excellent guide for those interested both in the root principles of business ethics and of Objectivism.
Donna Greiner and Theodore Kinni begin with a short discussion of Ayn Rand and her work, including the movement that she began and which has experienced such tumult and schism. They don't pull any punches, but the view is positive overall.
>From there, the book moves into its main body with sections on "Randian Work" and "Randian Management."
The section on work is a tour de force in the application of individualist principles to our everyday endeavors. Subdivided into chapters on key virtues and values including rationality, independence, integrity, honesty, justice, productiveness and pride, the book zooms in on how each of these values fits into our work and lives. It draws examples from real individuals and their real experiences and shows the application of Objectivist ideas to real situations.
By contrast, the section on management is more general, concentrating on three topic areas: "Winning Through Innovation," "Managing People to Their Ultimate Potential," and "Leading With Purpose."
"If there is one book that we'd like to see on the packed shelves of bookstores," the authors write, " it is "The Objectivist Manager" by Ayn Rand. Unfortunately, Rand never wrote that book."
While it might go a bit far to proclaim that "Ayn Rand and Business" is such an animal, the book will be of immense value to businesspeople interested in the principles of Objectivism, and to Objectivists or those interested in Ayn Rand's philosophy who have long sought to understand the real application of Rand's ideas to the world of enterprise.
o Order "Ayn Rand and Business" from Laissez Faire for $16.95:
http://www.laissezfairebooks.com/product.cfm?op=view&pid=AR8563&aid=FM
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