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Anthem. “Indeed you are happy. How else can men be when they live for their brothers?”. Ideal Society. What type of society would be considered ideal? Can a society without freedom be productive? Does my life belong to the group? Do I have a right to pursue my own happiness?
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Anthem “Indeed you are happy. How else can men be when they live for their brothers?”
Ideal Society • What type of society would be considered ideal? • Can a society without freedom be productive? • Does my life belong to the group? • Do I have a right to pursue my own happiness? • What is a moral and just society? • What does it mean to be an individual?
Collectivism A society where individualism is prohibited. Instead, everyone acts together (as one) for the greater good of the whole. A person’s only purpose is to exist for the benefit of others. • No individual/personal names (Equality 7-2521) • Transgression of Preference • Condemnation for independent thought • Condemnation for questioning routine/authority • All decisions of society are made by the World Councils of Scholars as a whole, “collectively”. • Education is not highly value • No personal wealth is permitted
“A Selfless individual is a mindless individual” - Rand • The results of an oppressive society such as collectivism include, but are not limited to: • Lack of motivation • Absence of ambition • Little to no hope for change and the future • The opposite of these ideas is known as EGOISM
Egoism • When an individual is concerned with his or her own interests above those of the collective whole. • Ambition • Desire to learn • Loving another individual above all others • Satisfying physical and emotional needs of self
Individualism • A society where every man is viewed as an independent entity. As a rational being, every man has the right to make his own decisions. • No individual can think/reason for another • Compromises must be made to maintain a functional society • Those who are individuals practice EGOISM.
Throughout the novel, in what ways does Equality 7-2521 progress toward and eventually practice the idea of EGOISM and individuality? Consider the following: • The light box discovered by Equality 7-2521 • “The Golden One” • The Palace of Corrective Detention • The Uncharted Forest • The Unmentionable Times • The World Council of Scholars • Use of the word “we” vs. that of “I”
Prompt: The novel Anthem praises man’s individualism. Using specific textual evidence from the novel for support, describe how Ayn Rand illustrates this theme throughout her novel.