c/o Random House
457 Madison Ave.
New York 22, N.Y.
December 10, 1961
Miss Ita Macken
1169 Beardsley St.
Akron, Ohio
Dear Miss Macken:
In your letter of November 1, you ask me: “Would you mind if I dedicated my book to you?” I would not permit or accept such a dedication, because it would imply a sanction which I cannot give to a person I do not know. I should also point out that I do not undertake to read unpublished manuscripts.
I appreciate your interest in my novels, but I must point out to you that the things you say in your letter are in direct contradiction to my philosophy. You write: “You are the only person in this world that I would follow blindly. I believe everything you say” and: “We jokingly call you ‘Our God’ but I think perhaps that it isn’t a joke at all.”
My philosophy advocates reason, not faith; it requires men to think—to accept nothing without a full, rational, first-hand understanding and conviction—to claim nothing without factual evidence and logical proof. A blind follower is precisely what my philosophy condemns and what I reject. Objectivism is not a mystic cult.
Since you are very young, I suggest that you study philosophy more carefully.
Sincerely,
Ayn Rand
AR/.rh
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.
