Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology (it&#x27;s available on Kindle) has the kernel of what he is talking about.<p>Oversimplifying out of necessity, there&#x27;s been a long running philosophical conflict between empiricists (focus on reality) and rationalists (focus on theory). The hard sciences have managed to avoid the problems of philosophy for the last few centuries, but are increasingly running into fundamental methodological limitations. If, following Hume, induction is unreliable, how can we ever know our scientific theories are valid?<p>Ayn Rand developed a novel epistemology and theory of concepts to deal with these issues, but she&#x27;s almost universally slammed in academia for her political views.<p>All I can suggest is to read both her and her critics and make up your own mind. (But do read her own words, not just what her critics say about her - the book I mentioned above is a good starting point).