Analysis Of Andrew Carnegie's The Gospel Of Wealth

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Andrew Carnegie, a self made millionaire stated “the man who dies thus rich dies disgrace” (Carnegie). The inspiration came from his belief that men like him held a great responsibility to contribute their wealth for the good of mankind. In his essay “The Gospel of Wealth” he emphasizes on how millionaires should spread their wealth even by leaving a positive impact in the world. However his main concern is how wealthy man should contribute to society when they’re alive. According to Carnegie, wealth can be distributed in three ways, first passing it down to the following family generation. Carnegie’s opinion on leaving money to the family was not a wise choice not just because the family may not be deserving of the money or it being a sense …show more content…
Enoch Pratt, a wealthy business man, donated over a million dollars to opened a library in 1882 in Baltimore with goals that it will be free for everyone regardless of their background. Carnegie admired Pratt for his generosity, “Mr. Pratt has done more for the genuine progress of the people that has been done by all the contributions of all in terms that people could advance from generous wealth contribution to society can help them realize they’re capable of helping themselves instead of expecting handouts. And rich people to help those who cannot or will not help themselves” (Carnegie). With the creation of Pratt Library, the public has access to books where they can learn for free and help themselves by expanding their knowledge in books instead of depending on welfare. However his weaknesses is categorizing anyone below his wealth as poor and ignorant as one group would destroy the work of those who accomplished a decent life with or without an education but may not be a millionaire example in “and it safe to say that 37,000 frequenters of the Pratt Library are of more value to Baltimore, to the State, and to the country, than all the inert, lazy, and hopelessly poor in the whole nation” (Carnegie) There are people who make a decent living without the need of handouts but does not have the expectation …show more content…
People would benefit more from the creation of hospitals, parks, libraries, museum , and etc. than receiving a specific amount of money and waste it, only to start over again to the beginning in search of welfare. A generous $100 million donation to Central Park Conservancy for example, giving by John A. Paulson, will help the park be renovated. Paulson donation will benefit society by having a place to enjoy nature and unwind from a busy city. This donation will contribute not just for the people of today but for many years to come. The Gospel of Wealth has impacted America history in how millionaires are view in society and how fortunate they’re to have wealth and use it to help society develop such as Paulson

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