Ayn Rand’s defense of “the virtue of selfishness” is probably the most controversial part of her philosophy—contradicting the idea that altruism and self-sacrifice are the very essence of morality. But as Rand recounts from living through the Russian Revolution, “[When] I first heard the communist principle that man must exist for the sake of the state, I perceived that this was the essential issue.”

Written by Atlas Society Senior Fellow Robert Tracinski, the Pocket Guide to Self-Interest delves into Ayn Rand’s defense of ethical self-interest—putting your rights, achievements, and career at the forefront of your life.