Howard Roark Equality

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Howard Roark, in his closing argument in the courtroom scene of the The Fountainhead, upholds that selflessness must be forgone for personal dignity, as the true worth of any human comes from none other than their ability to work and create in an individualistic manner rather than one of collaboration. This argument is not only one-sided and opinionated, but simply an excuse portrayed in philosophic manner to justify one’s own selfish desires in the name of individualism and independence. When looked at from this perspective, one finds that Roark was incorrect to praise selfishness and denounce altruism.
A common theme of freedom versus equality is present throughout Ayn Rand’s work, a theme which has formed a seemingly endless debate that …show more content…

Independence is a vital trait to which every person must utilize to become their own self, as anything else would be unnatural. This is not, however, is not the “independence” Howard Roark argues for. To state that “no work has ever been done collectively, or by a majority decision” means very little in the grand scheme of things. Milestones of achievement have been plentiful throughout time, most accomplished not by the work of one man, but by that of collaboration and collectivism. For it is not one’s own creativity that is the vital tool in the formation of great works, but the ability to see each others “individualism” and thereby utilize it in a collaborative effort. Could Orville Wright single handedly pioneer a heavier-than-air craft that would revolutionize transportation forever? Without a doubt it was not by his own “ego” (as Howard Roark would suggest) that this creation came about. It was not Orville alone, but a team-effort with his brother. Society does not remember Orville Wright or Wilbur Right, but rather the Wright Brothers. In the evolution of microbiology and medical science, Watson’s name appears almost meaningless without the mention of Crick. Even in recent years, could Steve Jobs become what he was without the efforts of Wozniak? Even today, we know that the American Government was not created by the ideals of one man, but the compromise the melting-pot of innovative ideas the created a society that …show more content…

By simply avoiding the needs of others for the betterment of his own prosperity, Roark unknowingly “uses” other people as he claims he doesn’t! Society, at least in present day, is not so simple that everyone can thrive under their individual drive to create and succeed. The entirety of Roark’s argument is under the false assumption that the playing field is level for all people. Little does he know, that as people rise in stature and prestige through the egotism that he promotes, others begin to fall. Prosperity is unlimited in Roark’s mind. In reality, it is all but unlimited. Roark deems altruism as an unnecessary evil, and thus deems a life lived out of love something that compares to “slavery.” This idea is nothing but an excuse to “sacrifice others” as Roark claims so adamantly that he is not doing. Perhaps there is no single answer to improving the society in which the human race lives. But the “altruism” that Howard Roark opposes so much seems like a decent place to

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