John Galt is one of the main characters in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged. An engineer by trade, Galt is the male hero of the story; his actions include withdrawing his talents, 'stopping the motor of the world', and leading the 'strikers' against the 'looters'. The question "Who is John Galt?" is asked repeatedly throughout the story. Despite rumors and legends, the identity of the actual Galt is learned only after a prolonged search by Dagny Taggart, the female heroic character, with whom Galt has a romantic relationship. Galt is the same character as the Mystery Worker.
The Greek God Titan Atlas is best known for bearing on his shoulders the pillars which keep earth and heaven apart as punishment for the Titanomachy.
So what is the connection between Atlas and John Galt? Ask DK or read the book to find out! :)
3 comments:
Okay, so I know that you really shouldn't trust all you read on Wikipedia (even though I love it), I am a little disconcerted by the bit about Ms. Rand that says she opposes ALTRUISM. How can you oppose that? Does that mean she is all about economic darwinism? That goes well beyond your run of the mill Libertarian, and I cannot like her if that is the case, what with my liberal leanings and all. I will have to study more. But don't worry, I am still planning on reading the book... It is not often that an engineer gets to be the protagonist. : )
Whew! Okay, first we must remember that Ayn Rand came to the US to escape communism in Russia. So, if you can look at her political/economic views from that stand, yes she is opposed to altruism as an economic principle. However, I do not personally think she opposes it individually and by choice... just politically by force. She is all for economic darwinism, but only in that a ecomony bases solely on altuism creates a race of working class that are incapable of thinking, troubleshooting, problem solving by themselves. By focusing too intensly on the good of the many, the one becomes incompetent.
The book is the meat of her personal, political, and economic beliefs... gotta read it.
Okay Em. I will reserve judgement until I finish the book. Adorable pic of you and Paul on your profile by the way.
Also, CONGRATULATIONS! I will come to give them in person once I get this nasty exam out of the way.
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