Is Rand’s list of the “rational virtues”—those that are in our own self-interest— any better than the version of egoism presented by Gyges? Why should we be independent and honest if we could advance...

Is Rand’s list of the “rational virtues”—those that are in our own self-interest— any better than the version of egoism presented by Gyges? Why should we be independent and honest if we could advance our self-interest by stealing someone else’s ideas or property? Why should we be just if we can get away with being unjust? Why should we work if we can spend our days lying out in the sun?