Is Atlas Shrugged overrated or necessary?
Can materialism be linked to inner-realization? How is possible that powerful but unhappy people exist?
And how does society impose us its own limits? Are we mere slaves to oblivious expectations only to be accepted?
My reading habit is, essencially, focus on non-fiction books. Until nowadays, I was reading self-help and philosophy content. History and Science were being added to the list, which I know like you, they maybe helpful to get near to our goals whereas applying their concepts on our real life (inspiring from past strategists; knowing how stuffs work from an algoritmically point of view).
I was wondering why some people recommended “Atlas Shrugged” as a philosophic approach for altruism. Je me demandais pourquoi certaines personnes recommandaient « Atlas Shrugged » comme approche philosophique de l'altruisme.
— ‘Well, I guess it’s gonna be my next book’ — I said when instantly I grab my phone.
My first impression about it `reminded me` ‘Atlantis’ because of it’s fiction title. Then, the intrigue about the meaning of altruism grew stronger (being just the egoism’s antonym). Yet, this book is supposely “a whole” that covers many topics as we go through.
The work presents us a couple of characters that differ on some features but as anyone else, they pursuit acomplishing their objectives to get MORE. Each has their own philosophy accorded to their principles. No one being essencially ‘the enemy’; they just confront their ideals.
Which character fits best for you?
I’d like to shortly emphazise on the four characthers that contribute most along the plot:
- Dagny Taggart: A diligent person who focuses in improving her business. Her ideal about material achievements is “a proof” of the inner ones.
- James Taggart: He’s the Dagny’s brother and the president of the Taggart Continental, supposely the antagonist by his altruism as a collaborative worker.
- Hank Rearden: He shares Dagny. He’s such hardworker to the point of ignoring his family.
I see this as filosofical approach rather than ‘story qualifier’. Yet, I noticed that none presents a mistake or something that induces them to develop their ‘unperfection’. The characters we meet are a sort of “richs interested for pleasure along the work, which is all their life” stereotype.
Indeed, I call them “dopaminergic” models about the business owners life.
I’ll provide a general vision of the context it drives us to create the quote and the chapter where it takes place. Let’s concentrate on reflecting.
Is marriage and family the biggest distraction?
In the Rearden family, we find the typical case of the American stereotype. The debate on how the overwhelming focus on work for each individual breaks the family bonds they have. Hank focuses solely on his steel business, which makes him absent from his wife’s point of view. Meanwhile, his brother has just been laid off and worries about what will happen next; Hank refuses to hire him by no derserving it, despite his wife’s insistence.
The title of chapter two, “the chain,” raises the question of whether our family or loved ones impose responsibilities on us that we shouldn’t bear. Asking out to Wikipedia, Hank’s wife is viewed as an antagonist because she attempts to destroy his ambitions by insisting he should be more emotionally present. The book explores a hypothetical scenario where Hank, driven by his desire for self-improvement, breaks his ambitious progress due to the advice of his wife, family, and friends. This raises the question of whether this is a defeat; while he cannot stop working by the necessity of winning money, is being ambitionless being “dead alive”?
The narrative insits into the societal pressure to conform, suggesting that others may want Hank to revert to his former self, viewing him as a possession. Their perception of his struggles may lead them to believe he is suffering, even though adversity can contribute growth. The chapter emphasizes that hitting rock bottom can lead to strength, as it forces individuals to question their purpose and expand their comfort zones.
Additionally, the chapter covers Hank’s background. Unlike the Taggart brothers and Francisco d’Anconia, he comes from a lower social class, always desiring to shine up. He founded Rearden Steel independently, rather than inheriting it. Since childhood he had that spirit of entrepeneur, repeating to himself constantly “pain is not an excuse to stop”.
Who do you work for ?
After embarking on a new venture, despite their difficulties, Hank Rearden jokes with Dagny Taggart remarking how materialistic are they. They focus only in achieving more. However, she disagrees with that by percieving work as an external expression of oneself and material possessions as representations of their accomplishments. In the end, they control the train industry.
In today’s fiercely competitive world, simply having a job is no longer enough; individuals must cultivate multiple skills and engage in productive leisure activities to avoid missing their potential. This contrasts sharply with ancient civilizations, where the focus was on being rather than doing, Obiously, there were exceptional-polifacetic cases like Socrates and Aristotle, who achieved masteries through intention rather than sheer effort. These performed the being itself by actions, their achievements weren’t purposely gotten by “huge effort” as if they’re material things to obtain . Instead, everything was about “intention to get in the path”.
Thus, here’s the question: Do you work to live? Or do you live to work?
How does a foolish think about this? Working to get basic sources they need and then behaviouring hedonistically. That’s shown when the weekend arrives to waste money or staying all the Sunday in front of a digital box while losing the real world. Before starting that, their mind thinks “Well, it’s time to reward after the hard-annoying work I don’t like”. And then, that “party” finishes; having to wait for the next week to “live” once more.
Furthermore, living solely to work often leads to a cycle of hedonism and dissatisfaction. It is essential to focus on inner growth and mastery in chosen fields, rather than trying to be “everything”. That contributes to unattachment on external rewards. While material needs are necessary, they should not dominate one’s life. True success is found in personal development and the joy of the journey, rather than merely the end goals.
Not everything is about business
In chapter 6, Hank Rearden “celebrates” his anniversary without feeling like it. Upset by his family’s atmosphere, they accuse him of egocentrism despite his desire for power qnd getting better. He continues to prioritize work.
For this concept, we’ll light one side of the room while darkening the other. Hank may be overstating his feelings, as this fleeting celebration won’t impact his business progress for better or worse. However, questioning your choices is valid.
Sometimes, we need to negotiate with ourselves to achieve our goals, which may require humility. Other times, we must confront our fears directly or relax while honing our skills.
Perfection is an illusion that can hinder your life if pursued relentlessly. Even if achieved, it limits further progress. Life is multifaceted; we should seek completeness rather than perfection. Focus on a specific path where you can invest your time, as various interests can grow together. Without clear focus, what is your purpose? What is “a man” without a scope he can dominate? — as Francisco d’Anconia said, a businessman who values freedom and knows how to reward himself.
I want to quote “To seek for logic is confronting philosophy” as a synthesis about the conversation between the Dr. Pritchett and Dagny Taggart. Mastering a field is essential, but the approach matters. For great entrepreneurs, work transcends mere “business.” Take time to explore the art and technical aspects of your craft.
Are power and happiness the same?
James Taggart tells a young girl he isn’t as happy as he seems. During a taxi ride, she asks why he’s quiet, and he explains that his achievements feel insignificant compared to the macroscopic scale (e.g. A bridge to the sun). Despite being recognized on Earth, he feels he could achieve more.
We often chase specific results, believing they will secure our happiness, but this cycle leads to constant dissatisfaction. The mind becomes trapped in a loop, especially when associating suffering with power. Just like on the physical training, doing it excessively can weaken us instead of strengthening us. A similar result can be seen in individuals born into wealth who may lack the readiness to face responsibilities. Their inherited power often masks a deeper emptiness.
True fulfillment comes not from external validation but from self-control and skill development. However, the ego can misinterpret internal growth as external achievement, creating a “false spirituality.” Recognizing that power and happiness aren’t necessarily linked is essential for genuine progress and inner strength.
Attaching your current self to the past can lead to a life of dissatisfaction, as it fosters constant comparison. The Stoics advise living slowly to observe our impressions and reactions. Just as appearances can be deceiving with filters, efforts don’t always correlate with results; some may struggle while others excel effortlessly. Experience is crucial for growth, but rushing the learning process can lead to frustration. Once survival is no longer a concern, we might try to replicate past successes, but true progress takes time and humility.
Mastery involves reconnecting with details we may have overlooked along the way. Even if I do not feel powerful nowadays, I find happiness in perseverance and self-awareness. Past experiences shape who we are, and dwelling on disappointments is a mental trap. I recognize the need to challenge the belief that more hours worked equals better results, as this mindset can lead to burnout and compromise the quality of our efforts.
Do externals restrict our potential?
In the final chapter, Dagny Taggart and Hank Rearden confront external challenges. Rearden’s metals business suffers from legal defamation, leading to a decline. All products must now meet strict standards, lowering quality. Despite their efforts, Dagny and her team cannot surpass the new legal limits on train speed and capacity.
I’m going to be brief on this point, as the Stoics addressed it centuries ago. Every individual possesses unique capabilities that can shine in various fields, but realizing this potential requires time and intention rather than mere brute effort. While facing challenges is part of life, it’s crucial to focus on the problems that matter and not let external distractions drain your energy.
Results are essential for maintaining motivation; without them, efforts may feel futile. As Confucius noted, “life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated,” especially regarding uncontrollable events. True mental strength lies in accepting circumstances rather than feeling pressured to solve every problem immediately.
Ultimately, we must heed the wisdom of masters before taking action. Dagny Taggart exemplifies this by creating her “John Galt Line,” aware that external factors, like government regulations, can change unexpectedly. Similarly, Hank Rearden must practice self-compassion in the face of defamation, understanding that ego can blind him to potential challenges. Remember, relative power is what truly matters — the ability to master oneself amid external pressures.
You’ll across many problems on the road to the glory and that’s ‘okay’. Life is a continous process of problem-solving. Some challenges were already mastered as habits, others will require attention yet. Stay focus on these ones, don’t let anything outsided drain your energy and enthusiasm levels. “Simply” tackle the problems who will bring you the desired output and keep stronger.
Conclusion
Despite being a work of fiction, it doesn’t cover “monsters or aliens.” Everything unfolds in our real world with normal characters. Many consider it a book where ultimately nothing interesting happens, requiring an analysis of the few notable phrases, often inspired by other life experiences.
I quoted my reflections from my journal and “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle. Rather than complementing, the book relies on other works, which may not be favorable for those starting in personal development.
However, it offers a great opportunity to discuss the presented ideas, even if it requires other readings. The article allows for deep reflection. Let’s summarize the points covered in this “essay”:
- The book is seen as “a whole.” While searching for self-improvement books, I found it frequently recommended for its philosophical approach. It also depicts typical American worker personalities and the importance of fulfillment in their jobs.
- Family can be a distraction only if we allow it. Choose a partner who shares your values rather than being attracted by physical appearance. The real enemy is becoming the lazy family man. I agree with Ayn Rand that focusing on oneself is essential, even if it means not wanting children.
- Live to work, but not as a mindless slave chasing future rewards. The goal is to stay on the path while appreciating the present. I share Dagny’s idea of expressing oneself spiritually through work, but life is a project requiring effort until the end.
- Life isn’t just about work. It’s crucial to enjoy the present moment and approach your job as a game. Reflect on your mindset: is this becoming an addiction? Don’t forget to take time for relaxing activities that recharge your mind.
- Power and happiness are not the same. Having power over others doesn’t mean having control over oneself, which can lead to sadness. One can achieve many goals without feeling fulfilled, as discussed by James Taggart in chapter 9.
- Finally, while we can inform ourselves about our path, we can’t fully control it. You have the choice of your work environment, but some fields will always be governed by others. Everyone faces challenges, but with the right intentions, various solutions can be found
Thanks for reading this article, this was Fabrizzio Machado.
