The Role Of Objectivism In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Anthem by Ayn Rand is a short novel about a young man in an extremely collectivist society. This young man is born with unique qualities that separate him from the majority. Eventually, the young man is forced to escape the city. He goes on to learn what it means to be an individual, and he vows to bring down the broken society. Ayn Rand’s objectivist belief system is based on ideals that are opposite of the city found in Anthem. Objectivism puts individual goals ahead of a group, and it focuses on a person’s own pursuit of happiness. Objectivism should be considered particularly strong and feasible. Ayn Rand’s objectivist belief system shows to be near ideal because it strongly promotes the pursuit of happiness. "My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute." (Rand, 1957, Appendix) …show more content…
This importance of freedom aligns with American beliefs and ideals. America was founded on the idea that freedom and liberty were basic human rights, and Objectivism shares this concept. Freedom of speech, thought, and most importantly, choices, are incredibly crucial in the Objectivist belief system. “Rights are conditions of existence required by man’s nature for his proper survival. If man is to live on earth, it is right for him to use his mind, it is right to act on his own free judgment, it is right to work for his values and to keep the product of his work.“ (Rand, 1957) A strong sense of freedom would lead a society away from dictatorships and militaristic governments, which have proven to be inevitably unsuccessful and disgustingly oppressive. On top of steering society away from negativity, it would lead to positivity, happiness, and progression, through individual’s abilities and creative