“Ideas are the greatest and most crucially practical power on earth,” wrote Ayn Rand. In the title essay of this collection, Leonard Peikoff applies this principle to the world of business. He shows that certain philosophic ideas, such as reason, egoism, and individualism, are needed to defend and protect the freedom of businessmen, while the opposite ideas, such as mysticism, altruism, and collectivism (which dominate our universities), destroy that freedom. Other essays in this volume will help businessmen understand the crucial role of philosophy in free trade, free markets, health care, and business ethics.

LEONARD PEIKOFF is universally recognized as the preeminent Rand scholar writing today. He worked closely with Ayn Rand for thirty years and was designated by her as heir to her estate. He has taught philosophy at Hunter College, Long Island University, and New York University and lectures on Rand’s philosophy throughout the country. He lives in Southern California.

Index of Contents:

Introduction by Richard E. Ralston

1. “Why Businessmen Need Philosophy” by Leonard Peikoff
2. “The Money-Making Personality” by Ayn Rand
3. “An Answer for Businessmen” by Ayn Rand
4. “Proposition 211: Lawyers against Justice” by Leonard Peikoff
5. “Warning: The FDA Can Kill You” by Leonard Peikoff
6. “Immigration” by Leonard Peikoff
7. “The Evil of ‘Respecting Nature’” by Leonard Peikoff
8. “Health Care Is Not a Right” by Leonard Peikoff
9. “Why Businessmen Should Be Honest” by Edwin A. Locke and Jaana Woiceshyn
10. “Individualism: The Only Cure for Racism” by Edwin A. Locke
11. “Wall Street Under Siege” by Richard M. Salsman
12. “’Buy American’ Is Un-American” by Harry Binswanger
13. “The Dollar and the Gun” by Harry Binswanger
14. “The Philosophical Origins of Antitrust” by John B. Ridpath
15. “Antitrust ‘Returns’ with a Vengeance” by Richard M. Salsman
16. For Further Reading
17. Afterword: The Ayn Rand Institute
18. Contributing Writers