Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - Book Review & Philosphy
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- Alas Shrugged by Russian-American writer Ayn Rand is one of the most cherished by capitalists books. The reflection of Rand's objectivism philosophy is conducted in an enticing novel about a dystopian America. The novel rises the question to what extent can a state regulate economy without breaking the motives of business and competition. Another theme is the healthy selfishness vs the irrational altruism. The book has been condemned by left thinkers and cherished by businessmen and free-market supporters including Alan Greenspan, a big fan and friend of Rand.
I know the topic is controversial, but this book got me so inspired that i could not resist but shooting my thoughts about it. I have only read one third so far, so another video will follow.
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Do you agree with Ayn Rand? Is selfishness good ? Should the state regulate businesses or let the economy free?
@Dennis Walker Thanks for your comment and for watching !
I don't see it as selfish when you're the one providing jobs for other citizens as a business owner. Socialism is about getting handouts. It's very hard to start a successful business in the U.S.A because there are is SO much regulations.
@@JH-qy8no agree, anyone who has tried starting own business in UK or the US knows it's an administrative challenge.
@@JH-qy8no socialism is about getting handouts? what? do you seriously think noone works in socialist countries?
@@JUK3MASTER I'm talking about those who choose NOT to work and apply for unemployment like what's happening right now in the U.S. Socialism slowly encourages total dependence on the government therefore loss of freedoms more and more. It will cost the country something either way. It is a slow gradual process that takes decades.
To clarify, Ayn Rand's justification for her atheism wasn't that there is no evidence for a god but that such an entity as a god or a disembodied consciousness with the ability to manipulate reality at a whim is, in essence, a contradiction. And also, Rand isn't a rationalist, in fact calling someone a rationalist is kind of an insult in Objectivism. I would recommend her non-fiction books as they go much more in-depth than her fiction and clarifies a lot of misinformation.
Thanks for the extra context here!
There is a socialist on the Seattle city council here in Washington state. Whenever she talks about the people being poor victims of the capitalist and how we need to force them to give their money to the state for the benefit of the people, my skin crawls. It's been a long time since I have read Ayn Rand. You have inspired me to reread her works
Thanks for your comment! Yes, there are a lot of analogies nowadays. Here in Europe the European Union is an example of a nosy gov organisation :)
Much better for the rich to kick the beggars, eh?
@@LovesickAussieBoy I don't believe that it is right to have the state TAKE my money, which is compensation for my labor, so they can build a larger bureaucracy that will ultimately want more. The worst part of it, even worse than being a slave to the state for half of every day, is it doesn't help these poor people. I see them defecating and shooting up on the sides of the freeways. Taxes go up, the problem gets worse, so taxes go up.
MeSoTrashed You could not be be more wrong. Let me ask you a question: which countries have the lowest crime, lowest unemployment lowest poverty, lowest drug use, and highest happiness? Here’s a clue: they all have high taxes and lots of government regulations. What say you to that fact?
@@LovesickAussieBoy Then by all means, live under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party. By your logic, it must be the happiest place on earth. I'm sure that's what the party would say.
wow ayn rand really described Argentina in 2022
I read this every several years and i have never felt like i was watching it play out in real time as much as today. It is devastating to watch America crumble and free speech disappear. Rereading this book still gives me hope that we can course correct as a species and believe in a better tomorrow.
Thanks for your comment and for watching the video! There are some chilling similarities to nowadays, yes. I can't say about America, as I don't live there, but I have amended some in the UK.
American is crumbling because, starting with Reagan, it embarked on a course of more and more unfettered capitalism, the very system Ayn Rand advocates. Only one system is proven to work, and that is the mixed economy.
A course correction according to the book would be elon musk and jeff bezos running off to a magic valley and blowing each other till we all died because we forgot to inhale without them telling us to.
@@LovesickAussieBoy Let's see, the Democrat line up of total fails and destruction to the USA.
Wilson creating a private banking firm to control our money - FAIL
Roosevelt and the gold theft - FAIL
JFK starting Vietnam, LBJ ramping up the effort with 500,000 more troops for a war they knew they could never win since 65 - FAIL
LBJ - signing the Act to allow unchecked immigration into this country (leading to doubling the population in 50 years) which is terrible for the country itself, considering a high percentage of these people will never integrate, but want to change and destroy the country. They are doing this today in spades (which apparently you are a big fan of?), with so-called "cancel culture", and "woke" movements - with the stated goal of completely dismantling Western Civilization for more Socialism and Marxism, horrid.
Jimmy Carter's presidency - FAIL
Bill Clinton - Signing of NAFTA so more jobs could leave the country
Obama - more handouts, total fail handing more things to China - Total Fail
The current geriatric - the continued allowance of teachers to have more rights over kids than parents, promoting sexual demented crap in grade school, sexually grooming kids, wanting parents to use puberty blockers, and worse.
The Democrat left-wing is completely destroying this country, it is now past fixable without serious draconian measures. Democrat terrorist groups attacking the elderly simply because they did not vote the way they wanted.
Amazing how Democrats are living in cities where crime is off the charts and keeps getting worse and spreading throughout the cities more and more but they still keep voting for these same numpties every cycle as they boil along with the other frogs in their hell-scape of a town.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, woke culture liberals and the liberal agenda are definitely ruining America.
Love your channel. You’re very intelligent and have a knack for giving great summaries. Thanks!
The problem I have with her philosophy is with two issues. The first is that without regulation, man tends to cut corners for profit which puts the public at risk. Two is that it puts the less fortunate in a pigeon hole that they are where they are of their own accord. It doesn’t take into account mental health for example. This is not a society that humans should aspire to.
I agree that to some extent the book oversimplifies the reality. However I don't think more regulation is a solution. If there is a strong incentive to break the rules people will find a way. I am bigger fan of the right incentives for businesses to encourage positive outcomes for most of society.
This book describes society as it actually is, not as it attempts to be.
Natural Selection and Evolution play important roles. Business Ethics are an evolutionary advantage for instance. It may well be that cutting corners eventually leads to greater success for society. It may not. But the freedom to allow that societal evolution to take place is the core value of Rands philosophy
We have the most regulation in history and companies still cut corners and now intentionally make products with obsolescence in mind
Who is John Galt? 😁
I enjoyed this book a lot. The thing I took away from the book was I am responsible for my success and failures.
Also, how bad policies are a disaster. Beside all the government changes, a good example of bad policy is where Eugene Lawson makes loans to everyone and ends up bankrupting his own bank.
The bill of equal opportunity reminds me of some real situations involving the European Union...
@@OdolenaKostovaDigitalMarketing The EU are looters. 😂
@@endmity6659 hahha only someone who's read the book would get this one right
There's no such thing, as Jon Gaaaaalt!
I don't think she is a great novelist, but her ideas and attitude are admirable. She is a quite unique thinker. Nowadays she would be easily cancelled and persecuted, USA is not a safe haven anymore.
That government is best which governs least. - Thoreau
Hello Odolena!
I hope you are doing well! I appreciate this video, as well! Thank you for providing your opinion!
I'm not very familiar with Ayn Rand's Philosophy. However, does it contradict (Yes, a contradiction that Ayn Rand would say doesn't exist!) Stoicism's idea of Determinism (I don't agree with Determinism)? I agree with Ayn Rand's idea of Free Will, however I doubt I would agree with all of Ayn Rand's Philosophy (I do believe in God.).
In fact Christianity has contradictions within its different branches. I believe in Free Will (Eastern Orthodoxy). Protestants (Calvinism) do not believe in Free Will, they believe in Determinism also known as Absolute Predestination.
I would say I believe some of Stoicism, some of Ayn Rand, and most (not all) of Eastern Orthodoxy. As I said before, I seek Truth wherever it may be found regardless of the source. As you said before, you believe Stoicism and Eastern Orthodoxy are compatible at a very deep level. In my opinion, this is one of the hardest skills you will ever master (Understanding God and Life). You can never learn everything there is to know. There's no cap. And you will always, there is ALWAYS something to learn!
What is your belief? Do you believe in some of each of these Philosophy's like I do? Or do you have one school of thought that overrides all others?
Take Care and God Bless!
Thanks for the comment and for following my videos, Adreana! I take what I like and what fits with my experience in life from every book. My favourite approach is the on of Ray Dalio, you can watch my video about him here: th-cam.com/video/cTwh8ggWPgo/w-d-xo.html
What I love most about his tips for life is: being radically open-minded.
I wish I’d pipped for that edition. The signet edition is hurting my eyes, the font is so tiny
Thank you for all your book reviews! New subscriber here and many of your reviews are books I want to read but haven't yet got around to.
The book illustrates the dangers of the common good.
yes, or the dangers of welfare state type of thinking in its extreme.
Great review so far. 👍
Thank you!
Robert kiyosaki recommends atlas shrugged in his publications.Robert enlightens one to innovation ,so doesn't surprise me if a woman objects socialism,Robert challenges conventionalism which I challenge too as business conventionalism survives on the objectives on non conventionalists(the innovators)
Ayn Rand was wrong about everything. EVERYTHING! See my video for details: "Ayn Rand & Atlas Shrugged in Under Ten Minutes."
Nice video. Keepitup
A question
Is atlas shrugged a biography. Like my question is, should i listen it in audiobook or read it🤔
It's not a biography, it's a pure fiction novel. You can listen it in an audio book, it's like a movie, quite easy to follow.
@@OdolenaKostovaDigitalMarketing Thankyou
Hello Ms. Kostova:
Thank you for the review. As a student of Objectivism, I appreciate your tone.
Please see The Ayn Rand Institute on Atlas Shrugged. I think that you will find their free lectures on the subject interesting.
Thanks a lot! I will check it out, it's a new subject for me, but I really love the book so far.
Thanks - I am inspired to read this from your review and the recommendations of Aleksander Svetski
Don't forget everyone, Ayn Rand collected social security!
I don't see it as selfish when you're the one providing jobs for other citizens as a business owner. Socialism is about getting handouts. It's very hard to start a successful business in the U.S.A because there are is SO much regulations.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this book. You've made a lot of good points about Ayn Rand's views of Socialism and Capitalism as well as how someone can still make decisions with weights of these quite different perspectives. I also liked your perception of how women in the workforce might connect with this book. Thanks for including that Ayn Rand discussed issues with inequality and human rights too. You're a quality reviewer with one more subscriber now ;)
Keep pushing...
Thank you!!
Thanks for this
Very good job!! Thanks for share your knowledge!!
I loved the book!!
You are so welcome! Thank you so much for watching!
This book is great and Ayn Rand was a brilliant women. I'm a extreme capitalist, so of course i agree with her when she says the collectivism/estatism leads ultimately to an fake equality, coerced equality, that only hinders the progress and happiness of the indivual.
I live in a country that the people have not a capitalist mind, everything has to be done by the state. Not to wonder why Brazil is such a poor country... Anyways it's slowly changing as Bolsonaro got elected.
I like her book because i hate the victim mentality, that is being pushed by the left. This mentality can never lead to greatness.
I like her philosophy also because i like stoicism and libertarianism. For me is very important to be self-reliant(read self-reliance if you hadn't) and free.
Thanks for watching, Helcio! I agree, having seen what's the effect of regulated state even 30 years after it is supposed to be free. The worst result is the imprint on people's mindset
Not to rain on your parade but Rand's philosophy is very much opposed to Stoicism and libertarianism.
@@bruno.6610 thanks for your comment! As I mentioned in the video, I am a Ray Dalio fan - I like being radically open minded, meaning I have no problem holding two opposing ideas and not being devoted to a single philosophy
@@OdolenaKostovaDigitalMarketing If you venture deeper into Objectivism I think you'll find very quickly that you gotta go all or nothing. Rand's ideas cover almost all essentials in philosophy and are very tightly integrated and related.
Of course you can honestly hold some Objectivist principles as true and others as false but I find it hard for most people to do so because of how interrelated everything is.
I'm glad you enjoyed the book, enjoying both this book and/or The Fountainhead shows me someone who is capable of appraisal.
For more on her philosophy I recommend (in order):
Philosophy: Who Needs It? by Ayn Rand
The Ominous Parallels by Leonard Peikoff
The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand
Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal by Ayn Rand
Romantic Manifesto by Ayn Rand
Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand by Leonard Peikoff
Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand
Keep in mind the list above assumes you are willing to dive very deep into Rand's philosophy. Good luck, great video. Have a nice day :)
@@bruno.6610 It's not opposed to libertarianism at all. It can have a few differences, but she is compatible with the libertarianism. Stoicism I'm interested, I didn't say it's the same as her philosophy. I'm just interested in some practical wisdom stoicism offers, not deterministic part as a whole.
Good video, kept my interest. Will watch more soon
Thank you for watching and I hope you enjoy the channel!
Best review right here
This philosophy economically is one of trickle down economics. The US tried that during the Reagan era and it does NOT work. Ayn Rand is failed on this one.
It is clear that a dystopia society will be the result of trickle down economics - pure capitalism. Why? When you work with enough people and can see the extent of their intellectual function, you realize they can not make it to the top; they will forever be at the bottom struggling - working but struggling because their wages are too shitty. Then you have disabled and sick people like my brother that will never be able to work. IS that his choice - NO! In pure capitalism, what happens to him. Pure capitalism would have him starving. GOOD GOD have some heart here Ayn Rand.
Thank you for your comment. Everyone has their limits and it's important to have conditions to live a respectful life even if not everyone makes it to the top. I do think that responsible businesses can provide such conditions
Businesses can provide these conditions? The whole premise of Rand is greed and that does not support anything but making the rich richer and a failed trickle down system. Excuses to be greedy - oh boy.
@@LS-vp3du
You are a looter .
You have no claim on the production of the individual .
If you want what someone else has the only ethical thing is to trade for it .
If the state robs me to pay for you're brother do not consider you're self anything but a void of eternal chaos where all production gets destroyed and made nill by the madness of you're irrational mind .
really enjoyed your thoughts on the book, and capitalism in general
Thank you, I am glad!
Boriana Kalein said recently that she was reading this book and that’s how I got here ♥️
Great summary, thanks!
Thank you for your book review TH-cam channel and selected this book. Perfect timing to read this book again to create the next generation capitalism for all of us and the future society.
Your summary is very good (because my opinions are so similar to yours 😄)
Thanks! 😊
Do you believe that logic is the art of non contraditive information?
great video :)
When I hear Dagny Taggart’s name I imagine your face.
Wow, now this is flattering!
This is a fantastic review.
When did you start and at which page are you on now? I'm on page 813 and started reading it since last year April.
I started reading 3 weeks ago, I am at page 780. I will most likely finish it this week. After part one I lost a bit of interest, tbh.
Honestly, I like the ideas, but I don't like the book. I prefer The Fountainhead and her execution of Individualism.
I keep hearing that The Fountainhead is kind of the better novel of Ayn Rand. Getting curious!
@@OdolenaKostovaDigitalMarketing She's a good philosopher, untill she's not and then it's really dark. The Fountainhead is one of those stories that end with "And then everybody clapped." But it's still good. It's more about individualism.
I like such stories, when everyone claps at the end! Thanks for the recommendation. Let me know other books which you found good.
"It produces mediocre people to go on the top" ... Like Donald Trump perhaps?
I don't think Donald Trump is mediocre, you can use many other words and would be right : )
@@OdolenaKostovaDigitalMarketing I think five bankruptcies classifies him as, at best, a mediocre businessman, at worst a cheat and a crook.
@@LovesickAussieBoy Yet he became president. That would suggest that may not be as mediocre as you think.
@@Wordsalad69420 Or, that the political system is more mediocre than you think.
I've read in reviews that it is a badly written novel and kind of repels me from even bothering to purchase it.
What do you think of the way that it's written?
Thanks,
Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease
Higher scores in this test indicate that the written material is easier to read. This readability score is widely used across many commercial and Governmental sectors.
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level
Used throughout the field of education and beyond, this test scores your text as a U.S. grade level. This makes it much easier for teachers, librarians, parents and others to correctly assess the overall readability level of their reading materials. It also can be referred to as the number of years of education that are required to properly understand the text.
Gunning Fog Index
This score estimates the number of years of education required by the reader to fully understand the written content. For example, a fog index of 12 would indicate a reading level of a U.S. high school senior, at 18 years old.
Coleman-Liau Index
This test aims to gauge the U.S. grade level required to understand a passage of text.
SMOG Index Score
This index scores according to the humber of years of education needed by the reader to understand the text. SMOG is actually a fun acronym for Simple Measure Of Gobbledygook.
Interpretation: if this kind of text excites you, you're reading level is around US grade 6. I'm not american but suspect the numbers translate to pre-pubescent, around 11-12 years old.
@@NeilKelly_is_angryexpat Thank you for taking the time to write about this. However, I doubt the correlation between enjoyment and level of reading capability unless proven wrong of course
I know this is five months late, but it is written adequately. The writing is not clever or elegant, but it is, in a sense, comforting in its directness. The only part that really screamed bad writing to me was Rand's compulsive overuse of metaphor. Some of them will really make you wince. She has no talent whatsoever at figurative writing.
The book was beautifully written. And Ayn Rand believe min capitlism so much some of it was funny.
Something can not be and not be at the same time.
Hey. I am part of an Objectivist community on discord. We talk on voice about ideas/art/self-improvement. It would be interesting to have you come and share your disagreements with Objectivism. We might have some answers that will make you think. If you are interested let me know where to send a direct message with an invite.
Hi, thank you for your comment. I don't have big disagreements with Objectivism, I am still learning about it. Would be interesting to discuss. Feel free to contact me on LinkedIn, you can see my link in the description.
You know what, i am Surprised
You look like a indian Bollywood actress, namely - Juhi chawla
😄😄 I just googled her! Yeah, I can see some resemblance. Thanks for letting me know
I could never get into such Ann Runt drivel.
Ayn Rand is Eve. Just ask Adam.
Almighty's Book is the Real Guide. Amen
Ayn Rand is NOT a pseudonym, that is her real name, she changed her name when she moved to the state.
Thank for clarifying. I didn't know she actually changed her name officially.
Odolena Kostova I just wanted to put that out there, no worries. Thank you for doing great review :)
No, Ayn Rand was not her legal name. It was literally a pen name. From Wikipedia: Alice O'Connor (her married name, after she married Frank O'Connor) (born Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum;[c] February 2 [O.S. January 20], 1905 - March 6, 1982), better known by her pen name Ayn Rand (/aɪn/ INE).
From Encyclopdia Britannica: Ayn Rand is the pen name of Alissa Zinovievna Rosenbaum. She adopted it when she moved to the United States in 1926 (although I read somewhere she was already using it before she immigrated?). The first name, which rhymes with “pine,” was inspired by the name of a Finnish writer (whom she declined to identify), and the surname she described as an abbreviation of Rosenbaum.
@@DeathEater93 Wiki is wrong, she has legally changed her name to Ayn Rand.
@@DeathEater93 I literally said that.
Next author to review: Leo Strauss
Natural Right and History; History of Political Philosophy;
The City and Man; Thoughts on Machiavelli
Just to start
what is individual ... i think it is super hypocrite thing i have ever heard .. cause if we see physics and our own life , it says all we do or did has some kind of external influence ( our genetics and sorrounding shapes us from our childhood ) . i think ayn rand is just like a child who is trapped in her own world and she is just a foolish narcissist .... what do you think ? .. she has 0 intellect
cannot agree more. Then again the same critism is directed to Marx. Being fed and clothed by Engels
Ahh yes
The psychopath's favorite book
I am okay with that. I know a lot of people don't like this one and I have my explanations why ; )
@Aaron Alfeche I would agree - Ayn Rand is building her case with crisp logic. It may sound shocking at first but it makes perfect sense to me.
@@sfdko3291 You do not have to agree with everything she said/wrote.
There is no reason to get offended by Atlas Shrugged to the point of calling it's fans "psychopaths" unless you are viewing it through the lens of a collectivist looking to justify mediocrity and lack of personal responsibility. AKA the kind of people who were starving in Seattle's autonomous zone because they called for a race and class revolution to destroy the "evil oppressor capitalist white males" without first even bothering to learn how to grow vegetables to feed themselves. Oh how great it must feel to destroy property for the sake of "righteous" perpetual victimhood.
@@OdolenaKostovaDigitalMarketing Except that her logic, based on a straw man argument, is broken.
I don't see it as selfish when you're the one providing jobs for other citizens as a business owner. Socialism is about getting handouts. It's very hard to start a successful business in the U.S.A because there are is SO much regulations.
I don't see it as selfish when you're the one providing jobs for other citizens as a business owner. Socialism is about getting handouts. It's very hard to start a successful business in the U.S.A because there are is SO much regulations.
A man thinks and works alone. A man cannot rob, exploit or rule - alone. Robbery, exploitation and ruling presuppose victims. They imply dependence. They are the province of the second-hander.
Rulers of men are not egoists. They create nothing. They exist entirely through the persons of others. Their goal is in their subjects, in the activity of enslaving. They are as dependent as the beggar, the social worker and the bandit. The form of dependence does not matter.