September 9, 1946
Mr. Leonard E. Read
The Foundation for Economic Education, Inc.
Irvington-on-Hudson, New York
Dear Leonard:
I was delighted to see your mimeographed copy of my TEXTBOOK OF AMERICANISM. I hope your staff and trustees will study it carefully, as I know that it will be valuable to them in helping them to avoid giving our case away.
Your introduction is excellent. You picked out the most important point—my definition of what constitutes the violation of a right. This definition is original with me. As far as I know from my reading, it has never been made before. And I think it is extremely important, because it is clear, concrete, specific and objective.
Good luck to you on this, and I hope it helps you in philosophical arguments with your associates.
You really should not leave your ghost floating up in the air (even though ghosts are supposed to do just that). You owe me an answer to two long letters.
Sincerely,
Ayn Rand
Copyright © 1985 – 2024 The Ayn Rand Institute (ARI). Reproduction of content and images in whole or in part is prohibited. All rights reserved. ARI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to ARI in the United States are tax-exempt to the extent provided by law. Objectivist Conferences (OCON), Ayn Rand Conference (ARC), Ayn Rand University (ARU) and the Ayn Rand Institute eStore are operated by ARI. Payments to OCON, ARC, ARU or the Ayn Rand Institute eStore do not qualify as tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. AYN RAND, AYN RAND INSTITUTE, ARI, AYN RAND UNIVERSITY and the AYN RAND device are trademarks of the Ayn Rand Institute. All rights reserved.
