blog
Atlas Shrugged
by Johanna
Whether I was riding the subway, in an elevator, or even standing in line at the grocery store, the sight of Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged peeking out of my bag incited more comments from complete strangers than I'd ever experienced. Whether it was positive or negative, the sight of the title and distinctive graphic on the book cover received strong reactions from people who had read the book.
Whether or not you agree with Ayn Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, chances are that if you've read one of her novels (the two most famous are Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead), she's made you reconsider your view of how society should work.
Most of the Objectivist theory flows from the idea that "man is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others." In Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand rejects the idea of "charity," and posits that societies who force individuals to give to the needy will ultimately fail. Objectivism rejects government policy that results in wealth redistribution, because it "punishes" individuals who have worked hard for what they've earned, thus draining the life from society's most productive members.
This book sparked an interesting discussion at kasina because most of us had already read and formed opinions about Ayn Rand's philosophy. The kasina culture is one that is very pro-giving, pro-charity, pro-assistance; however, we also operate in the private sector that benefits from many capitalistic freedoms. While no one fully agreed or fully rejected her theories, Ayn Rand's ideas provided good fodder for philosophical debate.
Posted by Johanna Willer at 11:37 AM Permalink Comments (2)
Dear Johanna,
I think it's great that you have read Atlas, and the first part of your review is bang on. Please know, however, that Rand had no objection to charity whatsoever.
There are lots of good reasons and occasions in which she and understanding Objectivists act charitably. In situations where there is a clear value to them they will do so, and quite happily. The value they seek, contrary to superficial thinkers, is not just monetary but may be for the life affirming enjoyment of seeing someone rise to an occasion they otherwise could not. Perhaps it is an artist, or a young businessman with a good idea, or a bright student who cannot afford an educational trip that would help them achieve more in life. The point is that such charitable acts must not be self-sacrificial (altruistic) in nature.
Rand was opposed to altruism, a.k.a. self-sacrifice, whether to others or to animals or gods, etc. Government imposed welfare forces people to sacrifice to the causes they may or may not care for. Coercion, by the state or any individual, is the essential that Rand opposed. In the words of Thomas Jefferson (or John Locke?), "no man has a right to that, which another has a right to take from him." That is one of the greatest things about America's founding --and which subsequent Presidents and politicians have largely destroyed.
When I read Atlas the first time I missed a lot of things in it (similar to the charity confusion you have expressed). One day someone pointed out to me one of my own misunderstandings of the book, and I realized that I had not read it very well at all. I decided I should read it again, and I was stunned. I kept having to re-read paragraphs to make sure I actually understood what was meant (whether by Rand or by a character).
By the end of my second reading, I realized that I still did not understand a number of things. How did John Galt's conversations with Eddie Willers provide him with so much information about what Dagny was doing? Which characters represented, or expressed in capsular form, the ideas of which great philosophers? What is the relationship between the events in a chapter and the name of the chapter?
To expand on one issue, what was the significance of Rand's use of light ? In Chapter One, "The Theme" it is particularly prominent... well, it refers to the fading of the Enlightenment, and it is very important as an essential part of the theme! So obvious, yet so widely missed. She repeatedly uses the light allusion in other chapters, hinting to us of the existence of great minds as points of 'light' etc. Cigarettes amount to the same thing, not because cigarettes are good, but because at night they 'reflect' man's control of fire! There are hundreds of such metaphors and allusions. There is considerable pleasure in spotting them but, more importantly, they support the ideas and principles she brings forth.
For example on my third reading I noticed that the young James Taggart says, "Any grafter can make money." and Francisco responds saying, "Some day, Jim, you ought to discover that words have exact meanings." I had to look up "grafter", and re-read Francisco's Money Speech, and then think, to realize that Francisco was right. Jim had no idea what the words he was echoing --having heard them from others-- meant. I had to start the book all over again!
Did you notice that the paragraph about Halley's Fifth Concerto in Chapter One is repeated word for word in the last chapter? It has a completely different meaning.
It would be rather neat if you re-read Atlas, and then reviewed it for Kasina again. I contest that the more people at Kasina who understand Objectivism, the more Kasina and its employees will succeed.
Before I forget... Great website, Aidan!
I was asked to read the Fountainhead for an honors seminar called Social Fact Through Fiction. Rand definitely has a way of making you rethink society and the actions of others, whether you come to a new conclusion or not.
I actually had a conversation recently with a guy shopping at Banana Republic who was carrying the book around. Apparently some corporations are paying universities to teach courses on Objectivism using Rand's novels. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90104091