The philosopher Hobbes viewed Humanity as naturally immoral, and incapable of ruling itself through democracy. Ayn Rand addressed this in her novel, Atlas Shrugged, where she displays the issues of mob rule by the ill-informed. Dagney's interactions with Dr. Staddler represent the broader implications of impulsive mob rule.
Dr. Staddler is the chief scientist in the government technology department. He is approached by Dagney in order to discuss why Rearden Metal has been deemed unfit for public use. As the conversation unfolds Dr. Staddler reveals that he must conform the the public will in order to keep his position and funding. Staddler is the sell-out of the novel, who goes along with the looters even though he knows it is wrong.
This interaction relates to the rest of the novel because it sets the tone of the lesser complaining in order to take down the greater. As people like Balph are unable to be succesful they are convinced that it is due to the lack of regulation in the market place. Since this benefits the majority of people in this society, it is advantageous to join and persecute the makers. Though this philosophy seems good in the short term, it results in a stalling of production and innovation.
The reason this quote is effective is because it is a feeling that is easy to relate to. Giving into peer pressure is something that many people experience in their life-times, and Ayn Rand conveys this feeling on a much larger scale. Anyone who has made a decision based on the will of the majority can attest that it often results in a negative outcome. Dr. Staddler's inability to resist the pressures of society result in a negative impact on the market and his own desires.
Atlas Shrugged, specifically the interactions of Dr. Staddler and Dagney exemplify the danger of impulsive mob rule. Without a leviathan of change, then this system is doomed to fail.
I like this essay, partly because I think Hobbes' philosophy is extremely funny, but reading about the rest of the essay, it really reared me in. I would focus a little more on showing imagery though. I didn't see any. But diction and detail are just fine. Maybe you can start to work in more syntax too. Using these techniques will really shape the essay from a almost complete circle to the best circle in the world!
ReplyDeleteBtw what is the prompt of the essay?
It would have been helpful to have the prompt...I'm not really sure what question you're trying to answer in this essay. I find the idea of this essay very interesting (mob-rule, people doing things to please others, etc). It seems like you're summarizing a little bit too much, especially in the second paragraph. Remember to write the essay assuming that the reader is familiar with the work, and just refer to smaller details. I like your reference to Hobbes's ideas of inherent evil in men, it helps give some background to the essay. Atlas Shrugged has always been a book I've wanted to read, so perhaps I will try to do that. Good job!
ReplyDeleteYes, copying the prompt at the beginning is a requirement of the assignment. It IS confusing trying to evaluate the answer without the question. The argument in this essay is somewhat unclear, and there is not much support aside from some plot summary--I look forward to seeing some growth in the next few essays.
ReplyDelete