Sure, Ayn Rand’s version of libertarianism veered off course by anchoring moral value in rigid, universal truths—her "Objectivism"—while Austrian economics, a core influence on libertarian thought, teaches that value is subjective, shaped by individual preferences. Her moral framework glorified self-interest as a virtue and dismissed altruism as weakness, reducing complex human motivations to a narrow ideal. This moral absolutism clashes with the pluralism Austrian economics embraces. Libertarianism thrives on voluntary exchange and individual choice—Rand’s moral dogma, ironically, limits both. True liberty leaves room for diverse values, including cooperation, compassion, and community—virtues her worldview undervalued or outright rejected.

Self-interest as a motivator is one thing, but pairing it with a militant rejection of religion alienates the moral and cultural roots that often sustain a free society.