Ayn Rand Philosophy, Objectivism, Science, Self-interest

[a500lbgorilla]

I forgot to add that rational behavior in economics is different than the reason the interviewee discusses. Rational behavior in economics is an assumption that people try to maximize their utility. Utility has a different meaning in economics; it's along the lines of "happiness," but it's best to not think of it in the colloquial terms we do. Rational behavior in economics has nothing to do with thoughtfulness. The reason the interviewee discusses is all about thoughtfulness.

I know this. I also know the idea of utility is nonsense for one simple reason - if ever any rational agent made a choice that didn't maximize his utility, you'd never know. And there's no reason to believe that people must always maximize utility.