The socialistic idea of compromise has always been a part of human history. To achieve mutual goals, to end conflict, to pursue happiness, there has always seemed to be a need to agree on terms that equally benefit both parties. Ayn Rand, the creator of the philosophy of Objectivism and author of the philosophical novel, The Fountainhead views compromise differently than it is traditionally defined by society. Society says that compromise is generally a settlement of a dispute by both sides making concessions, and Rand affirms this ideal, only however in situations “ only in regard to concretes, or particulars, implementing a mutually accepted basic principle, that one may compromise.” Basically, the only compromises that are “moral” by her definition, are those that are rational. This poses a question to the reader- What system of morality does Rand follow? To answer this, it’s best to define what a compromise is, according to the author. According to Rand, a true compromise is not about subjecting oneself to a level of inferiority. Rand says “ Accepting a lesser job than one had wanted is not a “compromise.” Taking orders from one’s employer on how to do the work which one is hired is not a “compromise.” Instead, compromise has more to do with not backing …show more content…
In all circumstances, Howard Roark lives his life in such a way to pursue what he desires; Not to please others, ( which proves to be impossible) but to gratify himself. The one who is different from everyone else (which is everyone), the one who brings something new to the table, the one who loves to create, the one who marches to the beat of his own drummer can finds comfort and insight in the simple message of The Fountainhead- “ Throughout the centuries there were men who took steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own
To read a story that deals with this theme makes us realize that it is not everyone that can accomplish what they really want in their
Ayn Rand, in Anthem, illustrates a futuristic, socialist society. In the novel, Rand destroys any sense of individuality and describes the social setbacks endured after living ‘only for the brotherhood’. The individual person fails to exist and is but a ‘we’ and recognized by a word and a series of numbers rather than a name. Additionally, she describes the horrors encountered within this different system of life: from reproduction methods to punishments. Through the life of Equality 7-2521, Rand demonstrates a person’s journey from obedience to exile in this socialist society. Throughout the entire novel, Rand criticizes Marxist theory as she demonstrates socialism’s failure to suppress revolution, thwart material dialectic, and its detriment to humanity.
One man never gets to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing things by or for himself. All will have been done collectively for him, thus something fundamental is missing from his life. This can be likened to the pride Equality 7-2521 feels after hunting and preparing his own food in the forest (Rand, 1946, p. 63). He finds happiness in doing things for himself. This idea can be found in many instances, such as while he is studying in the tunnel (Rand, 1946, p. 30). The invention he makes there becomes so important to him that he is willing to be beaten and later leave everything behind in order to protect it, and such is a testament to his desire for independence and strides toward acting on his own
In conclusion, it is shown that Equality 7-2521 makes his journey from a prisoner of collectivism and extreme social dependence to an exclusive freedom. Ayn Rand portrays a society afraid of change, rebellion, and the idea of any singularity at all. Equality first frees himself from the shackles of his brothers, allowing him to be an individual. Next he discovers that he, as one person, can judge the truth, others change the truth the way they want you to understand it. Finally, the reflection of himself in a stream shows Equality that he is not only mentally, but physically different than what seems to be a shapeless society. Ayn Rand conveys the theme of individualism through the development of Equality's ego, he is able to find the importance of one’s self and help society ameliorate itself for years to come.
The compromise of 1850 was one of the most important compromise made involving land and slavery, it was very important to the new following states. did the compromise help separate the tension of new coming states to the Union during the Mexican-American war, it also to help give more power to the South with acts. The compromise of 1850 ended war which helped resolve many disputes between the Southerns and Northerns by introducing the Popular Sovereignty, ending slave trade in Washington D.C. and the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act, was the most effective solution at its time. This three bills were very important to the new territory, did this bills help settle doubt and dispute it also helped keep control and order in the new states it also
A compromise is when two or more parties in disagreement reach an agreement that does not give all sides exactly what they want, but enough of what they want so that they can be happy. Compromise is the best possible solution to a conflict however it does not always work. One needs only to look at situations such as the Bosnia-Herzegovina to see that. During the events prior to the American Civil War, many different compromises were made in an attempt to impede the growing disagreements. However this merely prolonged the inevitable. The differences between North and South were far to great and compromise did not stand a chance at preventing the impending conflict. This was most clearly shown in the ways in which the three main compromises, the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, failed.
Morality is a particular system of values and principles of conduct. In the novella Anthem written by Ayn Rand that she writes about two opposite moralities: collectivism and individualism. Collectivism is followed by a totalitarian dictatorship. Equality, the protagonist, is opposed to collectivism morality; instead, Equality chooses individualism as his moral compass. Equality’s characteristics are curious, intelligent, and strong. He lives in a society that encourages universal uniformity and crushes individualism.
Ayn Rand said that the theme of The Fountainhead is "individualism versus collectivism, not in politics, but in man's soul." I want to comment on three specific aspects of this theme, as it is embodied in Roark's character and his interactions with the other figures in the novel. Roark is a man of independence, he is an egoist, and he is a creator, a paragon of productive achievement. These three concepts—independence, egoism, and achievement—are the key to understanding the moral sense of The Fountainhead and the ways in which it differs from the conventional ethos.
However, Roark’s adherence to this lifestyle signifies another facet of his individualism: “…unfortunately, in practical life, one can’t always be so flawlessly...
In order for him to feel happy, he must pay no mind to other people in his life. Roark demonstrates that the most important thing in life is to find happiness. The happiness Roark finds is at work, being an architect. “Don't stare at me like that! Can't you look at something else? Why did you decide to be an architect?’ ‘I didn't know it then. But it's because I've never believed in God.’ ‘Come on, talk sense.’ ‘Because I love this earth. That's all I love. I don't like the shape of things on this earth. I want to change them.’ ‘For whom?’ ‘For myself" (Rand 49). Despite that fact that the initial comment from Roark is about changing the earth and making the area a different shape, the reason for his job is mentioned and it is for himself. This is not the immediate signs of selfishness but Roark decided to become an architect for himself, because he decided that that was what he wanted to do. This shows the selfishness Roark has, how the decisions he makes are only based on him and the views he has. Roark expresses his self selfishness by not only thinking about himself but never caring about how others feel. “In a moment, he had forgotten her presence. She sat in a corner and watched his hands. She saw them molding walls. She saw them smash a part of the structure, and begin again, slowly, patiently, with a strange certainty even in his hesitation” (Rand 324). The fact that Rand decides to use the words
To Thoreau, life’s progress has halted. It seems people have confused progression with captivity driven by materialism. To Krakaeur, people are indifferent to pursing the sublime in nature. To Christopher McCandles the world around him is forgetting the purpose of life. People are blind to nature. In the eyes of these men the world is victim to commercial imprisonment. People live to achieve statuses that only exist because man made them. Fame, money, and monotonous relationships do not exist in nature; they are the pursuits of soulless fundamentalism. The truth is that people pursue meaningless goals, and people don’t want to hear or know how they are foolish. When exposed, reality is so unsettling that it seems wrong. Yet, to be free of the falseness in life is in essence the point of singularity that people realize if there is no truth in love then it is false, if there is no truth in money then it is worthless, if there is no truth in fame then it is undeserving. Without truth everything is a worthless pursuit of a meaningless glass ceiling.
In a society, at what point does uniting to benefit the greater good suppress one’s right to possess individuality? The social and political construct of utmost unity is called collectivism, or the practice of emphasizing a whole picture rather than each individual component. The common theme of collectivism versus individualism is prevalent within the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand, wherein the individual motivations of the members of society are suppressed without their knowledge. While contributing to the greater good may have its appeal, one must learn that for this to be possible, individual sacrifices are necessary. The ultimately collectivist society depicted in Anthem is justified by its rulers through ideas of
Throughout life, you are faced with everyday conflicts; getting cut from soccer tryouts, not receiving the grade you wanted on a biology test, arguing with your siblings, etc. Equality 7-2521 was faced with conflicts as well; however, to a more extreme level. Several external conflicts throughout Ayn Rand’s Anthem, shape Equality’s character. The controlling factors of Equality’s society, that lead to several conflicts, prevented him from sharing his intelligence, choosing and communicating with others and venturing outside the city walls.
In the movie The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, an ethical dilemma is shown by Sandra Bullock’s character, Margaret Tate. Margaret is the executive editor in chief of a book publishing company and Andrew Paxton is her assistant. Margaret’s visa is soon to be revoked as she violated some of the terms in her work visa. Andrew has worked his way up at the book publishing company and dreams of being an editor at the company. With Margaret on the verge of deportation, she expresses to Andrew that this could also set back all of his accomplishments and he would have to start back at the bottom if he didn’t have her to help him.
The Negotiator is about a veteran police officer played by Samuel L. Jackson who finds himself with his world turned inside out. He is a heroic hostage negotiator for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) but, during the course of film his job and life are threatened by a pension scam for which he is set up to take the fall. He enlists the help of an outside police officer, Kevin Spacey, to help him find the real thief. The movie is full of different negotiations and tactics. This paper will analyze different types of conflicts, how trust can be gained and used, different thinking strategies, and biasness of other interested parties from the film.