This paper discusses "Philosophy: Who Needs It" by AynRand, a fiction writer, historian, and a rebellious philosopher who dared to attack philosophical ideas presented by established thinkers like Kant and Kurt.
Abstract This paper explains that the book is all about individualism, something that has been termed a hallmark of Rand. The author points out that the book was published posthumously by her student, Leonard Peikoff, and contains a collection of eighteen articles, the majority of which had appeared in "The AynRand Letters". The paper concludes that Rand proved, through this book, that philosophy needs to not impress people, but is something that is very essential to understanding of one's actions and deeds in life.
From the Paper "Rand spent her 76 years of life preaching fundamentals of reason, truth and freedom and at her funeral; Dr. Piekoff said that she had changed the course of history. She has been subject of some condemnation too by staunch supporters of philosophers whom she argued against. Her Russian identity was linked to her "mind behind the Iron Curtain" and such terms but she has lived through it all, gaining acclamation from virtually all quarters of the U.S.."
Abstract This paper studies AynRand's dystopian novel "Anthem". The book is written as the journal of Equality 7 2521, a man struggling with his individuality, his will and his concepts of good and evil. The paper details the book's plot line, which is based on Equality's long and arduous -- though ultimately triumphant -- journey of self discovery. The paper shows how Equality overcame guilt, deprivation, punishment, banishment and betrayal and in the process formulated his own definitions of truth, freedom and love.
From the Paper "Ayn Rand's Anthem is a dystopian story written in the form of a journal kept by Equality 7 2521, a man born to an oppressive, backwards collective state set in a bleak unnamed place and time. This society, whose most recent technological advance is candlelight encourages conformity and drudgery and suppresses individuality and progress. Here, friendship and love, curiosity and creativity, and any display of self will or preference is punishable in the Palace of Corrective Detention. The punishment for swiping candles, alone, is ten years detention. In this world, there is no encouragement or even concept of self. "There is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone." Individuals refer to themselves as "we" and to other individuals as "they." In fact, the word "I," is not known to most, and to speak this word is the worst possible transgression. "There is no crime punished by death in this world, save this one crime of speaking the Unspeakable Word.'"
Abstract The paper presents the views of AynRand and Thomas Hobbes in regard to their argument in support of ethical egoism and points out the ways that their argument differ. This essay argues that the argument of Thomas Hobbes in this regard is considerably stronger as the Hobbesian approach and concedes the existence of important qualifications to pure egoism that the argument of AynRand in this regard does not.
From the Paper "Egoism: A Critical Inquiry While both Ayn Rand and Thomas Hobbes present arguments in support of ethical egoism, these arguments differ in a number of key respects. This essay will argue that the argument of Thomas Hobbes in this regard is considerably stronger as the Hobbesian approach concedes the existence of important qualifications to pure egoism that the argument of Ayn Rand in this regard does not. As will be seen, the approach of Hobbes is notably stronger than that of Rand in dealing with the challenges of both the publicity argument and the paradox of egoism although, in the case of the latter, the challenge to ethical egoism will be shown to be minimal."
"This paper shall examine three memorable quotations provided by the somewhat inscrutable protagonist of AynRand? 1957 classic, Atlas Shrugged. The p...
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, 2005, $ 44.95
Abstract "This paper shall examine three memorable quotations provided by the somewhat inscrutable protagonist of AynRand? 1957 classic, Atlas Shrugged. The paper argues that Gault's quotations are intended to underscore Rand's own conclusion that the de-sanctification of private property, free-market competition, human ingenuity and creativity and, not least of all, societal standards of excellence will lead to tribalism, wide-scale mediocrity and inefficiency, and will excise a society of its essential vitality. In an age where big government remains an ever-present danger, Rand? work has lost none of its importance."
From the Paper The world that Ayn Rand crafts for us in Atlas Shrugged is a deeply disturbing one in which individual thought and creativity has been suppressed to such an extent that society itself has stopped moving forward. This paper reviews Rand's work by exploring three passages found on our assignment worksheet in which his views about the society he has fled are delineated. The importance of these passages to the text's underlying themes will be discussed in their appropriate sections. However, it may be said that Rand's John Gault, the man who effectively stopped the motor of the world, is the diabolical seer whose vision leads to a society of cynical indifference, mistrust, and spiritual vacuity. The story begins with Eddie Willers in a heated discussion with President James Taggart, of Taggart Transcontinental.
Abstract This paper discusses the life and work of the author AynRand and makes a parallel between her background in communist Russia and her philosophy of objectivism. It show how Rand's works and ideals were the product of opposition to her background and homeland's philosophies by analysis of the themes in her novels "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged".
From the Paper "These concepts of total equality and selflessness are what Ayn Rand despised and fought with her concept of objectivism. Objectivism is Rand's most lauded philosophy; it is Rand's belief that all universal concepts can be explained rationality, neither being received by mystic forces nor created by the human mind (Baker 95). This train of thought conveys three arguments that are ever visible in Rand's writings: individualism versus collectivism, egoism versus altruism, and reason versus mysticism ("Overview" online). Rand embraces the former of each in her two most renowned novels, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged."
Abstract Starts out with a contrast of society's "ideal man" and Rand's man. Explains the influence of her upbringing and Communist Russia on her desired attributes of said man. Details obsession with portraying this man in all her writings. Discusses traits of creator: originator, "black or white" mentality, perfectionist, egoist, selfishness, individualist, atheist, requirement of suffering. Also touches on whether a woman can be an ideal "man", according to Rand's definition, and discusses, briefly, the rape scene.
From the Paper "If one does a search for "ideal man" on any web-based search engine, the majority of the webpage links returned describe physical qualities or list one of a number of celebrities. A recent survey to compile the most important characteristics returned the following attributes: "The ideal man is taller; athletic/toned build; hairless face and chest; medium butt and lips; blue eyes; short brown straight hair; with piercings - but depends where; and without tattoos" (Purple Tights). Now add just a single word to that search, ?Rand,? and the result changes dramatically. The web pages that are returned are primarily focused on the mental, emotional, and even spiritual aspects of a person. Ayn Rand was obsessed with the ?ideal man.? In her book The Fountainhead, the protagonist, Howard Roark, is Rand's vision of this ideal man. While Rand makes good arguments for her view of the idyllic man, there are several characteristics that alienate him from the rest of humanity and make his existence unrealistic, and more likely impossible. She has created an archetype, a superhero of sorts. And every superhero has at least one weakness. Though Rand may not classify them as weaknesses, they definitely affect his ability to interact with the society in which he lives."
Abstract This paper examines AynRand and Thomas Hobbes in their comments on the desirability of egoism of particular kinds, and in relation to opposing arguments that address publicity and the paradox that is egoism. The paper refers to a work by Louis Pojman, where he relates to these ideas, particularly the virtues of selflessness and humility.
From the Paper "Remarks on Egoism - Ayn Rand, Thomas Hobbes, and Related Arguments. Both Ayn Rand and Thomas Hobbes, clearly, saw through the competing cultural messages of self-effacement as the Judeo-Christian tradition so often encouraged in children. Virtues of selflessness and humility have long been promoted by different religious heritages and towards sometimes unhappy, but socially creative results. Louis Pojman opens his chapter on Rand, Hobbes and other topics of Egoism and self-interest, referring to these very ideas. (p. 79f)"
Abstract This paper explains that the protagonists in AynRand's "Atlas Shrugged" are industrial geniuses, such as Dagny Taggart and great minds, such as Francisco D'Anconia, who are fighting against a society that doesn't want them but desperately needs them; the society and the government are the antagonists. The author points out that this book is about losing to win, which is a philosophy created by AynRand, displayed by her characters and called objectivism, a system where each individual strives to be the best they can be and to profit themselves. The paper relates that feminists, who are sympathetic with the themes of Rand's literary work, say that Rand has created a rare female character, Dagny Taggart, on a par with any folk hero or medieval knight, but even sympathetic feminist readers have difficulty with Rand's seeming to define her female characters in terms of their relationships to their male counterparts as a derivative or dependent, if not subordinate.
From the Paper "For the adult Dagny, there are few men (individuals) in the world to whom she could submit or subordinate herself. As John Galt is following her into the long, dark, abandoned, granite tunnel of Taggart Transcontinental Railroad, Dagny chants to herself, "You will follow me." These words silently spoken are more a claim of right than a prayer, more a demand than a wish. Sensing that she is being followed, she moves even faster into the darkness, pulse beating rapidly, but unafraid. And then, despite Galt's "leashed intensity," the "harshness of his lips...down the line of her throat, leaving a trail of bruises and his elbow knocking her head aside," with "her teeth sinking into the flesh of his arm," there is less surrender than "worship of him.""
Abstract This paper deals with how AynRands? two main characters in her novella, "Anthem", compare to the Greek Gods which they got their names from. It includes detailed information about the myths of Gaea and Prometheus and a general outline of the novella, "Anthem". The paper explains why AynRand chose the names of the two Greek Gods for her characters. The paper includes two pictures of the gods Prometheus and Gaea.
From the Paper "In her novella, Anthem, Ayn Rand chose the names of two very popular and important Gods from ancient Greek myths for the names of her two main characters, Equality 7-2521 also known as Prometheus or the Unconquered, and Liberty 5-3000, also known as Gaea or the Golden One. Prometheus, the Greek God, was known as "The Rebel God". He was the wisest Titan and the son of Iapetus and Klymene. His name means "forethought", because he was able to foretell the future."
Abstract Objectivism is the philosophy of AynRand. This philosophy has been the butt of criticism since its conception. This paper reviews and refutes the misconceptions of the philosophy widely held by most critics. It covers such issues as the morality of ethical egoism, criticisms of the media and criticisms of AynRand's closest friends.
From the Paper "A major criticism of Objectivism is the idea that basing morality on self-interest is impractical (Bass). It is understandable that this concept receives criticism. It directly opposes all traditional philosophies, which are altruistic. However, the reasoning behind Rand's idea more than supports her views. The sole basis for Objectivism is that the individual's ultimate value is his life. This idea is perfectly logical. If an individual has nothing in life, he still has his life. If an individual does not have life, he is nothing. With this in mind, basing thought on self-interest is far more logical than self-sacrifice (altruism)."
Abstract The paper relates that AynRand's "Atlas Shrugged" is set some time in the future in the United States, which is experiencing a severe economic depression. The paper explains that the destruction of the railroad in the novel is a metaphor for the rise in socialism and the end of capitalistic competition in its purest form. The paper also discusses Rand's fears of a socialist society, one which is subordinate to an irrational majority that is drunk with power and greed. The paper further discusses Rand's belief that a government who strips individuals of rights and values will only lead to despair and hopelessness in the end.
Outline:
Introduction
Factors That Make the Destruction of the Phoenix Durango Railroad Possible
Relation of the Meaning and Theme of Atlas Shrugged to the Destruction Factors of the Phoenix-Durango
From the Paper "The influential characters in the novel include John Galt who initiates, conceives and implements the strike of the great minds, and invents the motor and the "destroyer" (343). Dagny Taggert is the vice president of Taggart Transcontinental railroad, who tries to keep her railroad afloat and out of the hands of looters. She eventually joins in a strike against the looters. Hank Reardon is a steel baron, one of the nation's greatest industrialists, and Dagny's lover. He also joins the strike against the looters. Francisco d'Anconia is a hedonist, playboy, a copper industrialist, and the wealthiest man in the world, who is an ally of Galt and the first to join him on strike. He is Dagny's first lover and suffers the most for joining the strike. Dan Conway is the builder and owner of the Phoenix-Durango Railroad, which is a dominant force in the southwest United States, and overtakes Taggart Transcontinental as Colorado's major freight transporter."
Abstract This paper explores the themes of hunger and poverty in "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck and "Anthem" by AynRand. It compares the authors' views on the subject and shows that while Steinbeck would choose to clothe the poor and feed the hungry, Rand feels that it is a person's choice to be in a state of poverty.
From the Paper "This attitude was expressed well in her short novel Anthem. To appreciate Anthem, it is necessary to realize the context against which it was written. The United States was firmly entrenched in New Deal philosophies and social programs to aid the unemployed. Rand, who moved to America in the 1920s, had spent the first years of her life in Communist Russia, where she had grown up with the revolution, and its ideas of collectivism.
She found these distasteful, as she found the growing socialism in America distasteful. She saw great danger in the idea of the "one-ness of mankind." When she wrote Anthem, therefore, she set it in a modern advanced society of the future, one in which great collective goals had been achieved. No one was hungry and no one was sick. The government took care of everything. As you read the book, however, you realize that you do not see the word "I" used. Everyone is addressed as "you" and "we" and "us.""
Abstract This paper explains that, in AynRand's "Atlas Shrugged," all of the novel's heroes believe in the primacy of individualism and capitalism. The author points out that the villains of "Atlas Shrugged" attempt to control the flow of capital and of creativity by creating a socialist state in which the greatest thinkers and entrepreneurs stifle their natural inclinations. The paper concludes that the chaos, which takes place throughout the course of the novel, illustrates Rand's thesis that money is the root of good, not evil, and that state-controlled industry is the ultimate affront to the human mind and human potential.
From the Paper "For example, John Galt, the statuesque hero of Atlas Shrugged, creates the "strike of the mind" in response to the government's attempt to usurp the free flow of capital and ideas. His name reflects the centrality of money to the novel's theme: Galt sound similar to gelt, a slang term of German and Yiddish origin denoting money. The meaning of Galt's name is underscored by his heroic stature. The protagonist of Atlas Shrugged, Dagny Taggart, also upholds the book's central theme of the beneficence of money."
Abstract This paper examines the book "Atlas Shrugged", by AynRand, which depicts the interplay of two forces-- regulated economic freedom and free-market system. The philosophy and the practical stances of both the schools of thought within the context of events that occur in the book are discussed.
From the Paper "Atlas Shrugged is a fictional account, which depicts the causes, the results, and the ultimate connotations attached to the moral and philosophical self-destruction that the mankind, in general, is slipping into in a gradual fashion. The most significant cause and hence the philosophy behind this moral decadence is the lack of belief in the morality of self-interest. And the vehicle through which this is perpetuated is the governmental control featuring diminishing economic freedom. Therefore the plot of Atlas Shrugged revolves around diminishing economic freedom resulting in intellectual stagnation. However there exists an opposing force that provides a directly opposite plan of action with a directly opposite belief system. Those belonging to this school of thought are intellectual and highly capable, rebelling against a society that preaches altruism, a society that teaches struggling victims that sacrifices for the sake of others is proper and moral, a society that indoctrinates its youth with a vicious, destructive skepticism. In this society, need is the most important claim to virtue, and so the most productive, capable men are forced into virtual enslavement by a vicious code of directives intended to eliminate all economic class distinctions."
Tags: economics, free-market, self-destruction, society, morality, government
Abstract The title of AynRand's "Atlas Shrugged" represents the major theme of the novel, which is to detail what happens to the world when the best of men can no longer exist in it. The "Atlas" of the title is the character John Galt, the hero of the novel. This paper compares the Atlas of Greek mythology with John Galt and examines the significance of the reference with the political message of the novel.
From the Paper "To look at Galt and his role in holding up the world, it is now necessary to consider exactly what Galt represents. While Galt is one man, he also represents all the thinking men of the world. He is the perfect man, the ideal man who fights to save the world. This is akin to the brave warrior who saves the world by battling enemies, except Galt fights with his mind. His fight is against society itself and a political system that encourages capitalism and rejects the individual. Galt describes himself saying, "I am the man who loves his life. I am the man who does not sacrifice his love or his values" (Rand 936)."
Tags: greek, mythology, world, heaven, decision, society
