Ayn Rand’s Open Affair With Nathaniel Doesnt Make Any Sense in Light of Her Own Philosophy ?

Question by smashingdelite: Ayn rand’s open affair with Nathaniel doesnt make any sense in light of her own philosophy ?
Ayn Rand said my personal life is a post script to my works/novels : it consists of the sentence “And I mean it “. I have always lived by the philosophy I present in my books – and it has worked for me , as it works for my characters .The concretes differ , the abstractions are the same. But as stated in ” The passion of Ayn Rand ” – she had an open affair with Nath for just a year or so , as she couldnot see herself as an old woman chasing a younger man . It is appalling to know that she could even think of such an arrangement. Also she swore to secrecy everyone who was involved in this immoral arrangement , thou she said one doesnot need to hide one’s love …which is the reflection of our highest values in another person.? I have always strongly felt that a philosopher has to first live the philosophy he/she teaches and i feel in this aspect (only ) Ayn Rand failed . Agree or disagree ? Im an admirer of her work but this is disillusioning , does it mean that when it comes to be
belief , unfortunately it has to be a choice between her works or her life as a role model ? I want objective answers please not an “emotional “outburst from her fans/detractors coz it seems the world is divided between two kinds of people – those who love n rever her works and those who denounce it completely. thks for your effort.

ps: i had posted this Q earlier in psychology but no one responded , i hope to receive some answers now atleast.
I stand corrected I should have used the word “unfair/irrational arrangement ” esp to her husband instead of “immoral arrangement”. I want this situation to be analyzed only vis a vis her own philosophy of Objectivism not by any religious definitions of immorality considering that both she n her husband were atheist.
also about judging another she herself said ” Judge and be prepared to be judged ” LOL.
and also she herself considered promiscuity immoral . So what was so “moral ” spending alone time weekly for about 14 yrs continously in her own aptment while her husband went for a walk ?

Best answer:

Answer by pbireton
I would think that the FIRST philosopher who would have an affair is the one writing “The Virtues of Selfishness”.

You call her affair an “immoral arrangement”. With Ayn Rand being an overt Atheist who redefined morality, what was immoral about it? If she wanted to have an affair but didn’t because of the potential of hurting others, she would not be following her philosophy. Under her philosophy, she would expect her husband to provide enough benefit to her that having an affair would not be worth the cost. If she was in an empty marriage, there would be little cost and therefore, the affair would be the right thing to do. She would not get a divorce first if her marriage still provided some benefit regularly. Rand was not one to follow religious morals. Not having an affair because the church say so would be letting the church run her life…not a behavior consistent with her teachings.

I’m not a rabid Rand fan, but have read her books. I think that they are good reads but drastically over-idealistic.

Answer by LJ K
I would lean toward the life-style saying more about the person than the books written… though it’s a tough call, all right. A piece is part of a writer, a book a long tale of how that writer sees things. When the writer seems to go against it all, it’s either because the work was fake (a rarity, and difficult to pull off) or the thing (an affair) that went against the work was “fake,” or a passing outburst of hormones; in Rand’s case, perhaps menopause or something like that.

oooh, I feel trouble coming because of my remarks, but let me assure anybody that I think men have menopause too, and call it a “mid-life crisis.” Equal time and actions all the way around.

At any rate, if you like her books, don’t let some temporary ‘achilles heel’ bring down the whole thing for you: go ahead and read and enjoy her work; who are we to judge another?

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!