Examples Of Altruism In Anthem By Ayn Rand

“I am neither foe nor friend to my brothers, but such as each of them shall deserve of me” (Rand 36). This excerpt provides insight to Equality’s personal view on the ethics surrounding morality. Morality is a complex and unique concept of the perceived difference between right and wrong. Within each environment and each new set of standards comes different ideas of morality, whether they are forced by a society or thought of individually as guiding principles for oneself. Ayn Rand’s Anthem presents an ideological war between Equality’s society and Prometheus’s views: a war fought between collectivism and individualism. Within the idea of collectivism and the contrasting belief in individualism, one finds different concepts of morality.

“To be free, a man must be free from his brothers.”when people hear this they may think

In the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand, the City has numerous rules and controls on what their society can and cannot do. The whole book tells about how their society lives. Their people look upon their brothers and always do what they are told to do. They also do not try to explore new things their knowledge is based on what the Council tells them. Towards the end of the story it goes more into depth on why they have these rules and what all the things the Council was hiding from them.

From the earlier times in our lives till now, we humans have been struggling hard to be free and independent of the things that limit our right to be free. And even though some people say that having security in life can regulate our lives and messy societies, I believe that too much security or limitation causes more dilemmas. Also, by being independent and free, one can learn new things rather than just by sticking to some widely held beliefs. We can see many examples related to this assumption everywhere in our lives, movies, books, and history.

Ego- a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance. Also known as the forbidden word of the totalitarian society created by Ayn Rand in Anthem. In Rand’s 1938 novel, her main character, Equality 7-2125 unknowingly followed the path of individuality, which was against the wishes of society. Proving that knowledge is a product of the observations and mental integrations of individuals, he rebelled against the ideals his society chained him with. He found his ego and sense of self, amidst a world who deemed it a sin to do so. Through the point of view/narration, themes, characterization and conflicts, Rand wanted to convey the dangers of a failed government, and the need for individuality.

Anthem by Ayn Rand In the book Anthem, by Ayn Rand, it talks about individuality which could be the key to happiness and freedom. Equality ran away from the society to find freedom and happiness because the society he lives in controls his life. He wanted to be free and happy so he ran away and found a tunnel that no one knows about.

Many factors contribute to a broken down society. Though many may not see it , once pointed out, all becomes clear. In “Anthem”, the novella by Ayn Rand, societal blindness is caused by a government who limits information and conformation to society. Blindness, not in the sense of not seeing, but not knowing or understanding. With that societal blindness can be cause by a secretive government, which could start dangerous uprisings, or raging wars that could highly impact the community.

Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, is a novel set in a futuristic dystopian city. The main character, Equality, has specific positive feelings towards his superiors in his society. They believe in the power of “we,” frowning upon individualism. All of men are equal in education, finances, social status (except for the leaders). However, over the course of Anthem, Equality’s feelings change superbly. His positive thoughts change drastically to negative and critical feelings as the novel concludes. He denounces them morally, as his views are seemingly different from his leaders. Equality is correct to do so, as his feelings are realistic and valid. On the contrary, the thoughts of his superiors are unrealistic and invalid.

In “The Virtue of Selfishness”, Ayn Rand states that “...human good does not require human sacrifices and cannot be achieved by the sacrifice of anyone to anyone.” (Rand, Ayn) And that “In popular usage, the word “selfishness” is a synonym of evil...Yet the exact meaning and dictionary definition of the word “selfishness” is: concern with one’s own interests.” (Rand, Ayn) In Ayn Rand’s excerpts, she discussed the idea of being selfish and of self interest. She mentioned how “Men have been taught that the ego is the synonym of evil, and selflessness the ideal of virtue. But the creator is the egoist in the absolute sense, and the selfless man is the one who does not think, feel, judge or act. These are functions of the self.” (Rand, Ayn) These excerpts show how Ayn Rand feels about the ideas of selfish and of self interest. Rand expressed in her work that self interest isn’t as bad as society today makes it seem. She says that “The first right on earth is the right of the ego. Man’s first duty is to himself. His moral law is never to place his prime goal within the persons of others.”

Well-known American author, Ayn Rand, in her short novel, Anthem, explores a post-apocalyptic world where individualism has disappeared. Rand’s purpose is to inspire readers to be original and not conform to society’s standards. She adopts a tone of pity for most of the humans in the story, but a tone of respect for the main characters in order to raise awareness about the dangers of all people being alike in her young adult audience.

To rule, a ruler needs control. It is the cornerstone of any society with a leader. The society Ayn Rand creates in Anthem is no exception. In Anthem, the rules in the society depicted by Rand exist for control, and were initially created for equality but spiraled out of control into a world built on collectivism and backward teachings. The society Prometheus, or Equality, envisions in the final chapters of the novella would never have any of the rules in his past society, as he realizes through his journey that they are evil and damaging.

Throughout the story of “Anthem” by Ayn Rand, there was one character that sticks out to me throughout the entire story was the main character himself, Equality 7-2521. In the beginning of “Anthem”, Equality 7-2521 seemed to me in my opinion a depressed person, who seems like he has no opportunities in the world, as Equality 7-2521 mentions about the different sections of his city along with the laws of the Council of Vocations and how it would be a sin to go against their rules. Even though it seems like Equality 7-2521 is a benighted person, he is aware or from his perspective that he seems to be aware that he is different than everybody around him such as his personal experiences and travels with a good friend International 4-8818. Despite

Rand believes that it is selfish to do good things just to look like a good person in front of others. Looking at good and evil, morals and values, and societies powers the only way people should view

Ethical Egoism is a normative claim; it believes that individuals should always in their best interest. Another view of ethical egoism is that a person should act according to his own self-interest even if it goes against the values and beliefs of others.

On the other hand, ethical egoism is a theory that prescribes moral obligation, where all people should be motivated out of self interest (Rachels, 2003, p. 70). This means that every person ought to act in a way that is best for him/herself. Ethical egoism claims that it is moral for all of an individual’s actions to be based on self-interest, without concerning him/herself with the interests of others. In fact, this thought may be continued by stating that altruism is, therefore, personally hindering and even demeaning (Brink, 1997, p. 122). Hence, ethical egoism must consequently mean that actions taken in an individual’s self-interest are moral actions, and actions taken that are not self-beneficial to an individual are immoral and should, as a result, be avoided.