...Essay on Rand’s Ideas Ayn Rand states in her essay that there is an alternative between being either an altruist, who will sacrifice their lives for complete strangers, and being cold egoist who would not lift a finger to help anyone. Ayn developed a theory which known as Objectivism, which means that those that follow that will only pursue their own happiness and will only sacrifice themselves for those they love or hold interest in. She states that just because one is not willing to sacrifice their life for a complete stranger, it does not mean that they are cold and self centered, only that they hold more respect for their own lives or those of the ones they love. Rand’s ideas on Objectivism may not have fit very well in to the moral world we live in today. For example, take our military service member’s, if they were not altruists, who would defend our country in these times of war. If everyone only fended for themselves and for their own happiness, who would join the military. Our service members risk their lives every day, especially during this war on terrorism, they are sacrificing themselves for perfect strangers. If they were not altruistic individuals, how else would our country stay safe. Ayn Rand and her followers believed that the military draft was not right and went against individual rights. In the “In the lecture, “The Wreckage of the Consensus,” Rand specifically argues against withdrawal from Vietnam, calling it an act of “appeasement”: To continue...
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...Ayn Rand was a prolific and very popular author. Her engaging philosophy has captured the minds of many students and professionals. Because Rand has written both fiction and philosophical essays, her influence has been felt in very different ways. For some she has provided an inspiring vision of a society of liberty and individualism through her fiction, particularly Atlas Shrugged. For others she has provided the main thrust of a philosophical justification for the advocacy of liberty and individualism. (1) Many readers are shocked to find a twentieth-century author who advocates moral absolutes with the vigor Rand does. She stands in sharp contrast to our culture of relativism. She opposes the ethical nihilist. She ridicules the subjectivist. According to Rand, altruism is found in various forms. The mystic theory of ethics, or any ethics based upon alleged revelation from God, offers humans meaning only beyond this life. As such, it is an ethics of death. The social theory of ethics locates the value of human life in society or the collective. As such, it is an ethics of death for the individual. The "subjectivist theory of ethics" is really a negation of ethics. It can supply no real guidance for life, and is the ethics of death. Altruism, in whatever form, is the morality of the past. It has lead humans only toward death rather than promoting life. What we need to live is not a return to this old morality, which is essentially irrational, but to discover a rational ethics...
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...When I received a copy of James S. Valliant’s book, The Passion of Ayn Rand’s Critics: The Case Against the Brandens, I was a little apprehensive about reviewing it. It seems that every time a discussion commences about the “juicy” bits of Ayn Rand’s sexual and romantic entanglements, it takes on a life of its own, and the discussion never seems to end. Cyber-forums can’t even mention this book without provoking hundreds of rancorous posts among people who are still personally involved in the developments surrounding the break between Ayn Rand and Nathaniel Branden and Barbara Branden. It’s as if the War of ‘68 is still raging. I was fortunate when I came to the study of Ayn Rand. I was eight years old when Rand and the Brandens went their separate ways. I knew none of the principals involved, and didn’t actually discover Rand’s work until nearly ten years later—when I was a senior in high school in 1977. And even after I’d discovered her work, I'd read everything she wrote without the assistance of going to live lectures or attending group meetings of people sitting around a vinyl turntable or an audio-tape player, listening to recordings of said lectures. I eventually listened to the vast bulk of those lectures as background for the preparation of my book, Ayn Rand: The Russian Radical, but even that research was pursued independently. My work was not the product of any assistance from any Objectivist institute or organization. Around 1992, however, as I was researching my...
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...egoism. It will examine how someone who believes in psychological egoism explains the apparent instances of altruism. It will also discuss some arguments in favor of universal ethical egoism, and exam Pojman's critique of arguments for and against universal ethical egoism. Psychological egoism, a descriptive claim about human nature, states that humans by nature are motivated only by self-interest. To act in one's self-interest is to act mainly for one's own good and loving what is one's own (i.e. ego, body, family, house, belongings in general). It means to give one's own interests higher priority than others'. "It (psychological egoism) claims that we cannot do other than act from self-interest motivation, so that altruism-the theory that we can and should sometimes act in favor of others' interests-is simply invalid because it's impossible" (Pojman 85). According to psychological egoists, any act no matter how altruistic it might seem, is actually motivated by some selfish desire of the agent (i.e., desire for reward, avoidance of guilt, personal happiness). For someone who believes in psychological egoism, it is difficult to find an action that would be acknowledged as purely altruistic. In practice, altruism is the performance of duties to others with no view to any sort of personal gain for one's efforts. However, the psychological egoist argues that there is almost always some benefit to oneself in any action one chooses. If one performs an act beneficial...
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...What does Scott Harmon imply with his statement? Motive CEO Scott Harmon's statement, "We're not warm and fuzzy, there's not a lot of cheerleading, and we don't give backrubs on Fridays.", implies that the overall focus in the company is driving force of the product not so much the coddling of the employees, but impeccable production. Scott Harmon is a fan of the one and only Ayn Rand. (Source: http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2003/0217/054.html). The company's mission and name relate directly to Ayn Rand's 1957 novel, 'Atlas Shrugged'. The statement is apparently his credo. Moreover, Harmon is a wee bit headstrong, and driven by profits. His assertion in the company's competence is effervescent and I think many may be intimidated by his way of running things. Harmon creates a clear distinction between emotion and making business decisions. Explain what Marvin Bower meant by his statement. Bower believed "that consulting was not a business but a profession" and that the "basic philosophy was to make money the old fashion way—earning it ethically." I think that he meant that the best way to build a strong company was by values and to give back also. Just by looking at the company's website, they talk about the Soul of McKinsey and its derivative from Bower. This firm speaks on how it was founded on so many of Bower's good leadership (page 255: “the art of motivating employees to enhance their performance in order to achieve corporate goals ethically) ideas and that they give...
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...Activity 3.4 - Essay on Rand's Ideas Using "The Ethics of Emergencies" by Ayn Rand (pp. 215-218), develop an essay between 2 to 3 pages discussing her ideas in today's moral environment. Provide one other reference in addition to our text. The Ethics of Emergencies describes how some people base their ethical principles on emergency situations. The classic example is the lifeboat scenario. The scenario is that what if you are stuck on a lifeboat with some other people, and there's not enough water for everyone to survive the trip to shore. In order to live, you have to sacrifice someone else. The lesson of the scenario is that you have to choose between your life and the life of another person. There is a fundamental disharmony of interests, and it is to kill or be killed. Which means in life, you are either a murderer, you are a victim, or you can sacrifice your life for other people. The problem is that these ethics-derived-from-emergencies are anti-contextual. It is not true that there is a disharmony of interests and we do not have to choose between killing and dying in day to day life. We do not have to choose between sacrificing ourselves to others or others to ourselves. So abstracting general principles from these situations is a really bad idea. By trying to use these situations as a representation of real life, it actually becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you accept that life is full of conflicts of interest, you will act accordingly and create conflicts where...
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...While a Keynesian idea of a government is needed to help boost economies in the time of when money is in need to lower taxes and inspire demands, however in Dharavi everything is controlled among them not with an outside government assistance. I believe that Keynesian economics would not work in this scenario in Dharavi because Keynesian economics is focused and works best in a short term while Dharavi needs so much more assistance. How might a Hayekian respond to Dharavi? Would Libertarians, Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand (from the egoism article) who are largely Hayekians, be horrified by this scenario? Unlike a Keynesian a Hayekian would be satisfied with what Dharavi was able to achieve. Hayekians believed that when people were able to freely do things in life and make decisions that the economy ran more efficiently. There economics is defined by a more freedom economy and less government interference. I feel that Libertarianism would not be horrified; their theory is of freedom from the government as long as there is no harm to others because of that freedom. I also think that a libertarian would be scared for people’s safety because of the poisonous living conditions in Dharavi. Are the technologies produced in Dharavi and the barefoot college, a product of capitalism or socialism? The technologies produces in Dharavi and the barefoot college are more of a product of capitalism....
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...I may win an award or get famous because of it. I stopped because I have been in that position before and know how it feels to be stranded with your children. Why would someone help another person whom they don’t even know? There have been some controversial theories on the helping of others. One theory is from the egoists. A major believer in the egoism theory is the famous author, Ayn Rand. She believes that a person should only help another person if they hold value to them, or if in helping them they will receive something in return, which is all supposed to relate to one’s own happiness. Egoism claims that each person has but one ultimate goal: his or her own welfare. This theory also implies that not everyone can be an egoist. It relies on other people being altruistic. Most altruists believe that each person has an obligation to give pleasure and take away the pains of other people. Altruism involves the unselfish concern for others. It entails doing things only out of a desire to help, not because one feels obligated to do so because of loyalty, duty, or religious reasons. Altruism involves true selflessness. The sacrifice of one’s own welfare for the welfare of another is what this theory is about. Rand believes, as do most egoists, that an altruistic person has low self-esteem and a lack of respect for other people. I can’t see how this could be true. I think...
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...itself sounds preposterous considering, the simple thought that not everybody could possibly agree that. The ironic part about it is that most of the citizens in that society, or rather dystopian, strongly believed it and went as far as punishing those who questions. This is where Equality 7-2521 comes in because he secretly questioning that, but not openly due to fear of punishment. He has all the right to because man is naturally curious and has questioned everything since the beginning of time. The exploration of the world, inventions seen today, and many others simple things proves that theory strongly. Man may form bonds because humans need other humans to keep sanity, but taking away singularity to ensure that bond is similar to stealing a man’s soul. Socrates, philosophical scholar from ancient Greece, said, “To find yourself, think yourself”. This seems very much in line with Ayn Rand’s thinking for Anthem. Equality 7-2521 shows a lot of self-conflict, at first, with what’s right and what he wants to do. Essentially, he discovers electricity and has the thought to show the scholars his invention so that they may use it to help the other brothers of that society. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned when the brothers see evil in Equality 7-2521’s invention and are scared of what he’s created. This brings another point in mind, which is man tends to be afraid of what they do not know so they usually automatically reject it for being different. This is portrayed numerous...
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...One of Ayn Rand's essay's is particular interesting. It's in the Virtue of Selfishness, and it's called the Ethics of Emergencies. The title describes how some people base their ethical principles on emergency situations. The classic example is the "lifeboat" scenario. There's a few variants, but essentially the story is that you're stuck on a lifeboat with some other people, and there's not enough water for everyone to survive the trip to shore. In order to live, you have to sacrifice someone else. The lesson of the scenario is that you have to choose between your life and the life of another person. There is a fundamental disharmony of interests, and it's kill or be killed. Which means in life, you're either a murderer, you are a victim, or you can sacrifice your life for other people. What happens next is that this scenario is taken to be some kind of proof of moral principles. You're expected to learn the lesson of the conflict, and decide on a method of conduct that conforms to it. Will you choose to be a murderer? Or will you voluntarily sacrifice yourself for the greater good? These are your options. The problem is that these ethics-derived-from-emergencies are anti-contextual. It's just not true that there is a disharmony of interests. We don't have to choose between killing and dying in day to day life. We don't have to choose between sacrificing ourselves to others or others to ourselves. So abstracting general principles from these situations is a really bad idea...
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...Ayn Rand “I guard my treasures: my thought, my will, my freedom. And the greatest of these is freedom.” (Rand. 58). Ayn Rand treasured her personal beliefs, which were reflected through her writing. Rand lived in two distinct countries: Russia and the United States, during her lifetime. Ayn also lived during a time where many major global events occurred. A very unique and interesting childhood and adult life, subjective beliefs and philosophies, and major events occurring in the world around her were all factors that contributed to Ayn Rand’s perspective and style of writing in her infamous novel, Anthem. Ayn Rand, the oldest of three daughters, was born on February 2, 1906 (Gladstein. 3,4). Rand’s given birth name was Alisa Zinovievna...
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...The Fountainhead Essay Contest Howard Roark, the main protagonist of The Fountainhead, embodies Ayn Rand’s depiction of individualism and originality, trying to fulfill his potential in a manipulative world. He never regrets any of his actions or decisions despite rejection from the rest of society. Even from the beginning of the novel, he was clearly aware of the obstacles ahead of him and was confident in his abilities to succeed in a selfish environment. “He knew that the days would be difficult… he knew also that he would not think, because everything was clear to him already” (pg. 15). As an independent man, his interactions with the other characters of the novel clearly represent the author’s notion that being self-sufficient in a collectivist society is a virtue. Rand’s main point throughout the book is that Roark dismisses conventions and is driven by passion, not like the others around him that only lust for power. Ayn Rand’s characteristically dry writing style accentuates the relationships between the characters of The Fountainhead, especially the ones between Howard Roark and his “rivals” like Peter Keating and Ellsworth Toohey. Roark is unique in his willingness to embrace his individualistic mind, act on his own decisions, and be generally indifferent towards the opinion of others. This is a stark contrast to a head figure of architecture like Toohey who is blinded by his own hubris, taking advantage of the work of others in order to achieve his own standing and...
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...Have you ever thought that your parents were so strict on the rules in your house? Do you ever think that you’re not allowed to do anything even though you really wanted to hang out with your friends but your parents wouldn’t let you? Well the book Anthem, by Ayn Rand will make you think your parents aren’t bad at all, in fact, be thankful for them because in this essay we are going to be looking at a society with strict rules and theorize why they exist, and we will look at Equality 7-2521 and find out if he will follow the rules of this society. The rules in the society focus on equality, no individuality, and they want everything to be fair. So that means for the sake of equality the rule is that everyone is the same, nobody is different...
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...In The Fountainhead, Rand characterizes her thoughts of the ideal human being throughout the embodiment of the novel’s hero who lives by his own achievement, does not give or receive the unworthy, and values accomplishment and dismisses resentment and jealousy. The novel’s central character, Howard Roark is a brilliant architect who struggles against a traditionalist society that rejects his revolutionary designs, therefore giving voice to Rand’s own Objectivist philosophy. The Objectivist philosophy states that the ethical purpose of human life is the quest for one’s personal happiness and rational self-interest. Therefore, Roark is innately selfish, entirely unaware of others, and dearly committed to his own success and prosperity. Throughout...
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...Ayn Rand was born Alissa Zinovievna Rosenbaum in St. Petersburg, Russia on February 2nd, 1905. She produced many works of fiction within her life and is applauded for the cultivation of her philosophical system-Objectivism. Ms. Rand passed away in 1982; her writing and ideals continue to influence society, literature, and surprisingly, the video game industry. After reading Her Second Career and Good Copy, it is easy to see why this author is held in such high esteem. Despite the tone of the stories being very different, the concept of wealth, the behavior of the main characters, and the traits of Ayn Rand's philosophy are all shared. While Her Second Career takes place in the glitzy scenes of Hollywood and Good Copy in the small-town of Dicksville, Ayn Rand does a fantastic job of conveying the influence of wealth no matter the setting. The characters in both stories run the gambit on the socioeconomic scale of the haves and the have-nots. Claire Nash lives a lofty life with "a palace in Beverly Hills and two Rolls Royces" pg. 112 while Laury McGee resides in an old apartment building. It is not until Ms. Nash undertakes Winston Ayer's challenge that she is forced to understand the struggles of aspiring actresses and the financial hardships endured in pursuit of their dreams. In Good Copy, it is not until Mr. McGee has kidnapped Ms. Winford that he receives his crash course in economics. It is obvious to the reader that Laury is aware of Ms. Winford's value based on...
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