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Essay / The idea that individualism should be promoted in "Anthem" by Ayn Rand
In the novel "Anthem", Ayn Rand attempts to represent the idea that everyone in the world should have the opportunity to pursue his own happiness. She criticizes the philosophies of collectivism and socialism, which limit people's individuality, and she also encourages people to join Equality 7-2521 to escape the restrictions. The philosophy that Rand promotes in his novel is objectivism, which is fully exemplified in his later works by four principles: reality, reason, self-interest, and capitalism. This philosophy is widely used by the contemporary world and there are many examples throughout history that can prove the correctness and develop the ability of objectivism, for example the British would prefer to escape from England to unknown wild lands instead of remaining in the “advanced” British lands. and the rise of America and Japan in supporting their self-interest and high technology can testify to the correctness of Objectivism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay A good society has freedom and few laws. In the book “Anthem,” the government completely controls people’s lives. Everyone is identified by codes rather than names, work is assigned by the vocations council, and the people of "Anthem" don't even get to choose their own spouses. “Since the Council has no knowledge of this hole, there can be no law allowing entry into it. And everything that is not permitted by law is prohibited", in this dystopian city there is never a free room, no matter that the individual decides on his own fairs and not everything is permitted than what is prohibited. However, the founders believe that a good society should have few laws that are clear to and respected by the public. The first American population contributed greatly to the immigration of the British, they left Europe to live in these new and wild lands. Some settlers come here for religious freedom or to seek wealth. In this "New World", people can enjoy a greater degree of freedom than in England. It is significant that the 17th century was a century of revolution. During this century, the British launched the English Revolution, the Civil War, and the Glorious Revolution. In this turbulent era, the English government also changed from a monarchy to a republican form and established the English constitutional system, which greatly limited the powers of the monarch. Through the history of England, we learn that people do not prefer many restrictions, they enjoy freedom of life, which allows them to choose and do whatever they want. Laws should be a positive means of maintaining the peace of society, instead of an obstacle to people's lives and happiness. Personal interest is as important as the public interest. In the world of the novel “Anthem”, individualism is always behind the collective will. “We are all one in all and all in one. There are no men but the great WE, One, indivisible and eternal. They do not have their own identity, but rather a group identity. Acting as individuals, thinking one's life is unique, and caring about themselves can be considered sinful. Although ancient moral philosophy stated: to be moral, one must sacrifice one's self-interest to the needs of others. However, this old view has been challenged by the rise of American capitalism. Tocqueville described American democracy: the free and robust society, 19901999.