After reading some of the negative comments below by some reviewers, won must question Whether theyhave even read the book. Edge used the term altruism, in its original meaning (as used by philosopher Auguste Comte who coined the term): self-sacrifice. To the edge, to sacrifice a greater value (say your beloved child), for the sake of a lessor value (some strangers you did not know) was wrong. (I agree). To save your beloved wife from drowning would be selfish - because you loved her; to let her to save the someother stranger - when you loved your wife - would be unselfish. Selfish, as Edge uses the term, Means to act in ones own long-term rational self-interest. It does not mean one can not have friends did - only that "friends" who stab you in the back are not really your friends. In fact, if you think about it: love is selfish. To paraphrase the edge, before one can say 'I love you', one must first learn to say the word 'I'. Of course, if one Actually read the book, one would know this. If one reads the book, and still holds thesis distorted views of Rand's work, then one is Either stupid, or dishonest. This does not mean one may silently not disagree - there are some things I disagree with on edge; but, one Should not stoop to dishonest smears, name-calling, and outright lies about her work.