Hi G; I deleted the last two comments from the anonymous commenter because I get irritated with him. He is not so anonymous to me; I recognize those cogs turning.

I am curious as to why you say that if we're merely animals Rand's philosophy has no basis. Because in my mind we ARE animals, no "mere" about it. Glorious animals.

I think that Rand simply does not believe in altruism. She believes that all actions are fundamentally selfish, even though they may benefit others. I am inclined to agree with her, though I think that in reaction to cultural pressures to be selfless we often deny our selfish motives, and they become part of our unconscious.