Individualism And Collectivism In Ayn Rand
III Semester Professor Silika Mohapatra 8th October 2014 A LEAP TO INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM “My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.” - Ayn Rand, Appendix to Atlas Shrugged (1957) Humans are capable of infinite genius and originality, only if they have the opportunity to do it freely without having to fear the burden of the social norms. The individualism-collectivism debate is gaining substantial emphasis considering its robust effects. We see traces of disagreement regarding individualism and collectivism in every domain of our lives, be it social, political, religious …show more content…
The concept of individuality has been eliminated and unknown. Equality 7-2521, the protagonist, writes in a tunnel, explaining the society around him. His exclusive use of plural pronouns ("we", "our", "they") tells us about the alienation of the word ‘I’. People are burned at the stake for acting or wishing for oneself because it was ‘evil’. They couldn’t desire anything for themselves or be alone or even choose their friends; it was considered a transgression. He enjoyed the science of things and dreamed of becoming a Scholar. However, the Council of Vocations that assigned all people to their jobs assigned him to the Home of the Street Sweepers. He accepts this mandate since he wanted to repent for his sin to desire. Nevertheless, he skips his recreational hours at the Theatre and escapes into the tunnel to study stolen manuscripts and conduct experiments. Meanwhile, he falls in love with Liberty …show more content…
It plainly suggests that egoism means that no person shall bend another to his or her will; that no one has the right to do so. We must discern the delicate contrast between an egoist and an egotist. The egotists would adopt Rand’s philosophy as a tool for their own shortcomings, to forgo the rule of communal synergy. "Politically, true individualism means recognizing that one has a right to his own life and happiness. But it also means uniting with other citizens to preserve and defend the institutions that protect that right" (Shawn E. Klein, Community and American Individualism. A commentary from the Navigator Special: The Assault on Civilization posted October 17,
Ayn Rand: The Virtue Of Selfishness
477 Words | 2 PagesUpon first hearing the story of the fateful night of Kitty Genovese and her brutal murder, the room for speculation on the part of the neighbors seems to be slim. Thirty-eight people chose, during this situation, to see or hear what was going on but then did nothing. One could seemingly argue—and very easily—this is immoral and unethical. This assumption is based on a pre-set societal standard. A standard that was made by people who may not have necessarily ever been in such a situation.
Summary Of Individuality In Ayn Rand's Anthem
1128 Words | 5 PagesIn Ayn Rand’s novella, Anthem, mankind is a philanthropic machine. The brotherhood nobly works together to achieve a common goal. In doing so, each man is asked to disregard his own personal means and goals. For every decision must be a collective thought and every advancement, a joint action. However, one man in this machine malfunctions.
Collectivism In Ayn Rand's Anthem
983 Words | 4 PagesA city based on stifling collectivism that is challenged by one young man who discovers freedom through individuality perfectly describes Ayn Rand’s book Anthem. Anthem depicts a society oppressed by stripping each member from any ounce of individuality. Ayn Rand is commonly known for her view points on collectivist and centralized political standpoints as her philosophies are the structure of many pieces of her writing. Her writings are a publicized way of creating controversy with her opinions. Rand’s philosophy goes entirely against the belief that the individual should be subjugated to the group and sacrificed for the common good which in turn is the main focus of Anthem.
Comparing The Mind, Body, And Self In Ayn Rand's Anthem
175 Words | 1 PagesIn Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem, she writes about mind, body, and self in a collectivist point of view. In this text, Equality 7-2521 lives through his society. He is scolded for being smart and standing out from his brothers. He grows up and defies the laws and then runs away with his sweetheart they then become immune to their previous world in the forest. In a collectivist society there is p self, no opinions.
Altruism In Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead
1302 Words | 6 PagesIt is not wrong to want to be happy and be an individual rather than follow the thinking of others. In fact, it is more immoral to not live one’s own life. Humans are given one life, and it should be lived in a way which brings one happiness. Yes, helping others is a prodigious act, though, does it count when it is only done as an act for the world? Through Howard Roark Ayn Rand displays a magnificent story of human progress and man’s ego - ego becoming the fountainhead of progress.
Examples Of Individuality In Anthem By Ayn Rand
705 Words | 3 PagesIndividuality allows every person to be themselves and be different from each other. However, In Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem, Rand describes a society where the people were not allowed to openly be themselves, or else they would be punished for being different. The main character, Equality, notices he is different slowly throughout the novella, but kept continuing to be like everyone else for awhile. These rules exist in this society to strip human individuality in order to achieve total equality.
Chris Mccandless Leaving Society Analysis
1162 Words | 5 PagesIndividualism is when a person has achieved non-conformity, self-reliance, free-thought, confidence, and finding one’s self through nature. Although individualism may be achieved in society, it cannot be fully achieved until one removes himself from society. Chris McCandless did exactly that; he removed himself from society by backpacking and hitchhiking throughout the United States to test and achieve individualism. McCandless’s last great adventure was to Alaska to fully obtain individualism, unfortunately, he died trying to find his spiritual belonging and individualism. Many people would think it was absurd that Chris left his family and threw his life away, and they would think that he was not justified in leaving society, however, Chris McCandless was justified in leaving society because by doing so he could achieve non-conformity and self-reliance without being oppressed.
Compare And Contrast Declaration Of Independence And Civil Disobedience
759 Words | 4 PagesAmericans sometimes have conflicting values. A persistent debate centers the individual and society. Individuals create and shape the society around them. They intertwine and depend upon each other. Much like yin and yang, they create balance and affect each other yet this interdependence also leads to conflict.
Losing Individuality In Ayn Rand's Anthem
530 Words | 3 PagesHow could losing individuality affect a society? The novel Anthem by Ayn Rand is about a guy named Equality 7-2521 who is trying to find himself in a society where everything is controlled and different. Later, he finds himself even though he will have to go through many obstacles to get there. The process behind losing individuality in an Anthem’s society are in forcing strict laws, brain washing of their citizens, and removing of family. The Anthem society in forcing of strict laws made it easy for everyone to lose their individuality.
Ayn Rand's Argument Against Ethical Egoism
566 Words | 3 PagesThe philosopher Ayn Rand believed that an individual’s life is of the utmost importance, as is her well-being. She knew that altruistic ethics require individuals to sacrifice their own wellbeing and lives for the sake of others. With ethical egoism, and will value their own wellbeing above all others. So, she was for ethical egoism. Ayn Rand also had an argument against ethical egoism believing it is a mistake to treat the interest of some individuals as being less important than the interest of others.
Collectivism And Selfishness In Ayn Rand's Anthem
594 Words | 3 PagesCollectivism and Selfishness in Anthem Imagine living in a world where everybody's lives are completely mapped out by the government. Where every decision is made without the input of the citizens it affects. In the novella Anthem, Ayn Rand depicts a completely collectivist society, where every idea, action, and invention is purely for the benefit of society as a whole. Everything is done with the entire population in mind, and individuality is extremely frowned upon.
The Role Of Individualism In Art
2076 Words | 9 PagesDuring the 19th century, the idea of individualism quickly arose and became more prominent among society. Related to philosophical systems such as hedonism, humanism and existentialism, individualism is a moral stance which places the individual as above all else. Independence is greatly stressed, as well as notions of self-interest and self-importance. Originally linked to philosophers such as Robert Owen and Henry David Thoreau, ideas on individualism have had both positive and negative connotations throughout history, and have had a most profound impact on the art world and creative work in general. With regards to individualism, and in turn, the cult of the individual that emerged with it, enlightened subjectivity arose within the art world,
Ayn Rand's Collectivism And Why It Is Evil
445 Words | 2 PagesNow, collectivism has calmed down. There's always gonna be collectivism, imperialism, and even racism. There's always going to be people who have different opinions about many things in life. One may say that collectivism is a great thing, while another will say that collectivism is a terrible
The Importance Of Individuality In Literature
529 Words | 3 PagesNear the end of the novel, Anthem, the protagonist discovers the concept of “I” and says, “ I shall call to me all the men and the women whose spirit has not been killed within them and suffer under the yoke of their brothers”(Rand 101). Society is in need of individuals who know what is right, who show others to free and self thinking. Without the right leaders society can potentially be that of Anthem’s where everyone has no free will. This demonstrates how leadership is necessary in society in order for it’s citizens to be led properly. Finally, individualism is needed in society since it gives people the chance to be creative.
Collectivism And Individualism In Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead
388 Words | 2 PagesIn The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand individualism, collectivism and objectivism dramatizes the struggles of the characters and reinforces the immediate benefit being self-reliant in a collectivism society. The tragic hero Peter Keating lacks creatively, Keating accepts the help of others. His absence of his own vison is visible in his struggle in executing decisions, as he displays when he cannot establish at the start of the novel whether to peruse his studies or to join Francon’s firm. Roark does not understand Keating's need for other people to tell him what he wants to do (Source).”
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