Ayn Rand and Objectivism By Danil Kolesnikov Ayn Rand, a Russian-American philosopher who had influenced Western society in 20th century with her ideas of rational egoism, laissez-faire capitalism, elevation of reason and comprehensive philosophical system called Objectivism. Alisa Rosenbaum (her original name) was born and raised in Russian Empire in the beginning of 20th century. She was from a well-to-do family. Her father was a successful entrepreneur who run his own pharmacy and her mother