Half a**ed critique of "Atlas Shrugged"

mine | Mr. PolishHammer

[Mr. Polish-hammer]

Just read "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. Here is my take:

I think we all agree on the basic tenet that capitalism is good, and anything else is bad. However, Ayn Rand seems to take this to a whole new level, one which I don't like. She places capitalism into her own moral egoist philosophy; capitalism is not a means to an end, but an end in itself, a moral one. Acting in ones self-interest is moral, altruism is immoral. So donating to charity, in her mind, is immoral. To me, donating to charity is perfectly moral. What is immoral is when the government, or any other third party, forces one to be charitable. Any action done on voluntary terms, or any deal, is perfectly moral, and to call it immoral is non-sensical, if not scary.

To Ayn Rand, the lazy and incompetent, those without ambition, are immoral. Even if they seek no harm, mind their own business, and violate no ones rights, they are still immoral. Their only sin is to not be productive, which only harms society as a whole. It seems that Ayn Rand deems immoral that which does not benefit her, her being part of society.

Another strange aspect to her writing is her animus toward religion. Religion takes a beating in "Atlas Shrugged", being accused of fostering socialist mentality. Paradoxically, she praised the USA, especially its first one hundred years, as being the closest to her ideal. If religion fosters socialism, how does she explain the religous founding, and continuing religous existence of the USA? Moreover, why is it that the strongly socialist countries (USSR, Sweden, etc.) are strongly atheist, or have governments that despise religion?

Many inconsistencies are present in her writing. I'd be interested in hearing her defense. I know there are many fans on this forum.

[Aquinasfan]

Capitalism was her religion. Like all religious fanatics she was intolerant of other religions.

I'd go further. She was her own religion. It's the dirty little secret of atheism.

[gjenkins]

I am sure you have been given the revelation of a non-tautological basis for us all.

[gjenkins]

God is God?

[Petronski]

The morality and practice of Objectivism can seem quite intimidating at first. But after reading Atlas Shrugged many times and following the literature of Objectivism . . . and classical liberalism . . . you will see that there are many reasons to believe that such a society would be both advanced and benevolent.

Sounds like a cult to me.

[OWK]

God is God?

Are you askin, or tellin? :^]

[corkoman]

But fails to address the question of the origins of God.

Wow, talk about maximum philosophical impact with the fewest number of words.

[Aquinasfan]

I think a major philosophical omission, which does have a direct bearing on Rands' approach to religion, is the relationship between parent and child.

Very astute point. Rand's ideology could have been made more coherent if she had based it on some kind of rationalistic monotheism. But the problem of the mystery and irreducibility of the family would remain (among many other problems).

We now know through revelation that God, in His essence, is a "family," Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And earthly families somehow reflect this Mystery.

[TheLionessRN]

There was a small portion about child rearing in the book, if you will recall. While Dagny was in Galt's Gulch, there was a famous actress who gave it all up for a family. (I hope I am remembering this right) She decided that focusing on her child and the future was the greatest achievement she could reach for, so she dedicated herself to this end. As already stated, homeschooling is a fantastic example of this. Encourage the child to be all he can be and educate him properly. That IS such a great calling!

[gjenkins]

I am askin', tellin', and analogizin'. (I may not be very good at it.)

[Mudboy Slim]

"People, who know me, think I am the most generous person they have ever met. I tell them au contraire, I am the most selfish person they will ever know. I only do what I do, because it makes me feel good."

Well said, my FRiend...MUD

[Kevin Curry]

If religion fosters socialism, how does she explain the religous founding, and continuing religous existence of the USA? Moreover, why is it that the strongly socialist countries (USSR, Sweden, etc.) are strongly atheist, or have governments that despise religion?

Libertarian revisionist history holds that the United States was actually founded by hemp-smoking Judeo-Christian-despising athiests and deists on the principle that Judeo-Christianity is a collection of detestable superstitions that are anathema to liberty.

[gjenkins]

The morality and practice of Christianity can seem quite intimidating at first. But after reading The Bible many times and following the literature of Christianity . . . you will see that there are many reasons to believe that such a society would be both advanced and benevolent.

Is that better?

[razorback-bert]

Rand had the left pegged. Her description of their tactics is as accurate today

Ditto that!

[Mudboy Slim]

"She did not personally like religion becuase of the herd mentality it causes."

Does she feel likewise about a similar term, "spirituality"? The term "religion"--in Ms. Rand's eyes--may have developed some bad connotations; however, I never got the impression that Ms. Rand was either an atheist or an agnostic.

FWIW...I've never read Ms. Rand's work but am told by people who know me and have read her that I'd like her quite a bit. Believe me, she's definitely high on my "To Read" list.

FReegards...MUD

[gjenkins]

She holds that each of has the right to choose our dependencies ... not that we don't or shouldn't have any.

[dubyagee]

Because she had a revelation about man's promise, I believe she ended up sort of worshipping man.

From what little I've read, you're right on the money. Although I would say she worshipped man and self. Which only goes to prove all philosophies are a form of religion. Which would make her dislike of religion fairly contradictory, IMHO.

[constitutiongirl]

I enjoy Rand's works, however, I have always been amused by her views on religion. Like you stated, she believed it caused a 'herd mentality'. At the same time, she did not tolerate any of her followers, particulary The Collective, possessing views that differed greatly from hers. She believed that SHE was the fountainhead of wisdom and if a person was truly reasonable and truly logical, they would arrive at the same conclusions she did. She, in effect, drove many of her followers into the same 'herd mentality' that she despised in religion. (Sorry about the long response, I think my coffee kicked in.)

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

I am sure you have been given the revelation of a non-tautological basis for us all.

Cheese. The other white meat.

[gjenkins]

She also drove many to understand that her ideas transcended her glaring faults and inconsistencies.