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The Fountainhead

By Ayn Rand

(128)

| Paperback | 9780451093806

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7 Reviews

2 people find this helpful

The 2 pricks deserve each other. Horrible hateful people, rubbish philosophy and an overlong shitty book.

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Danelectrico said on Dec 6, 2007 | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

The way things ought to be...in an imperfect world

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Wes said on Feb 21, 2010 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

Superb from beginning to end

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Jon Randy said on Jun 27, 2009 | Add your feedback

Re-read

Ayn Rand has a beautiful style of writing. The environments and disruptions of externals match the characters and artfully illustrate her purpose. It is thoroughly enjoyable to read.
As to Rand's worldview: She sees selfishness as the supreme ideal of man. She sees man as valuable when he lives to ... (continue)

Ayn Rand has a beautiful style of writing. The environments and disruptions of externals match the characters and artfully illustrate her purpose. It is thoroughly enjoyable to read.
As to Rand's worldview: She sees selfishness as the supreme ideal of man. She sees man as valuable when he lives to create and enjoy his own ideal. Man is capable of great if they will strive for excellence and refuse dumbing down for the common man. She abhors humanism, altruism, pity, and every form of collectivism and statements of general equality. Humans who do not think for themselves and stand with integrity by their own evaluation of absolutes are pathetic. Those who understand that and use it for the purpose of gain, influence, or control are worse.
Ayn sets out to show that It demeans the greatness of man to consider the lowest, laziest and most incompetent as equal with those who reach to the full capacity of man's will, reason, and industry. In this regard her thinking is surprisingly similar to C.S. Lewis' views as expressed throughout his works and particularly in Screwtape Proposes a Toast. Lewis also argues that much self denial is indeed selfish, though he would say we should be motivated by genuine charity (desire for the good will of others).
Wile a worldview with man at the center and selfishness as it's law seems entirely opposed to Christianity, her work has these redeeming truths: Man has great value as the image of God is in him. Industriousness, creativity, and competence are reflections of that image and should be celebrated in those who display them, and others should be rebuked for their lack. The book also provides a helpful reminder of the sin of seeking other's judgment and approval. It is before God alone that we stand approved or condemned and the praise of man is a pathway to ruin. There is much freedom in allowing one's own taste be the rule their enjoyments wherever it does not transgress Christ's law of Love to God and others.
Much of Rand's condemnation of the motives behind humanitarianism and pity could also be leveled against the church. Sadly, we enjoy pitying others because we are lifted up, we enjoy hearing that all are the same and achievement doesn't matter because it excuses our sloth. Indeed, much of our supposed selflessness is actually selfish pride.
If one adheres to John Piper's view of Christian Hedonism, many this book's ideals are redeemable, but with an important shift. Man's highest purpose is to pursue his own pleasure, and that pleasure is only finally found in the enjoyment of God. By enjoying God we glorify Him. We live then only for God's glory, which is expressed in our enjoyment of Him. We serve others, not because we are all equal or from altruistic motives, but because in so doing we serve God and bring Him glory. And in bringing Him glory we find our own enjoyment and further His glory. Scripture often encourages us to be motivated by the reward offered in Heaven. This is not altruistic, but I would argue, also not selfish. It is God-centered, which marries both others and self in the highest good of His glory.

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Brandon Current said on Jan 16, 2012 | Add your feedback

I read The Fountain Head before I read Atlas Shrugged. I actually enjoyed this one. Maybe that is why Atlas Shrugged was such a let down!

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Jamie Gemuend767 said on Oct 28, 2008 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback