Anthem by Ayn Rand

The Question at hand: "Man—every man—is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. He must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own  happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life."First of all, how is this ideal realized in the story of Equality 7-2521?  Secondly, according to Rand's philosophy, humans should act selfishly in their own self-interest first and foremost.  Therefore, how does our understanding of virtue change if we alter the question as follows:  When a character acts selfishly against the prevailing vice(s) of the dominant social order, true virtue exhibits itself?  Does this question even make sense now?  Discuss the possible conundrum with reference to the novel.  

           This ideal is realized in the story of Equality 7-2521 when Equality 7-2521 finds the tunnel, enters it even though it an act against their vice, and comes to the realization that he has a want to know more about the light box. Equality wants to expand his own knowledge, knowing that it is a strong, personal desire. At this point, the idea of thinking and acting for oneself is recognized as something needed, but absolutely forbidden. All along Equality 7-2521 has had self thoughts about what he wants, (to become a member of the house of scholars) but punishes himself for having these thoughts because the vice of the story says everyone must think alike. In short, do what you are commanded to do and if you dare believe in anything otherwise, you will be punished. When the tunnel is found by Equality 7-2521 and the overwhelming want to disobey the vice and make a self choice happens, he realizes he no longer wants what the vice wants, discovering the ideal Rand talks about. Equality 7-2521 puts his own rational self-interest and his own happiness at the highest purpose of his life, versus thinking about what the rulers want from him. Equality 7-2521 continues to realize the ideal Rand talks about when he realizes just how incompetent the World Council is. When Equality brings the electric light from the tunnel to the house of scholars, the reaction from the Council is terrified at first. “They leap to their feet, they ran from the table, pressed against the wall, huddled togehter, seeking warmth of one another’s bodies to give them courage” (Rand 78).  Then once the fear, the Council becomes enraged at Equality 7-2521’s want to improve life for everyone, but mostly for defying what they had been told, which was pretty well to never have self thoughts. When Equality 7-2521 realizes the pure stupidity of his elders, the people he has looked up to for his whole life, he then goes with the ideal and jumps out the window, acting the way he wants, and fleeing the world of banal activity behind.  

            The second question asked was,  “Secondly, according to Rand's philosophy, humans should act selfishly in their own self-interest first and foremost.  Therefore, how does our understanding of virtue change if we alter the question as follows:  When a character acts selfishly against the prevailing vice(s) of the dominant social order, true virtue exhibits itself?  Does this question even make sense now?  Discuss the possible conundrum with reference to the novel”. I would say this question is twisted, meaning that their are multiple answers, seeing as it is more of an opinion question. However, I think that if our understanding of virtue in relationship to the question and the story of “Anthem” has been altered, it has been altered to believe that selfish acts exhibit true virtue. This is the opposite of what we usual think, that selfless acts exhibit true virtue. However, in “Anthem”, when Equality 7-2521 acts selfishly against the prevailing vice of the dominant social order and true virtue exhibits itself, I think Equality 7-2521 is also performing a selfless move by risking his life, and giving up everything, which in the end, would really be furthering the knowledge and freeing the minds of mankind. If this is true, this tells us the so called selfish acts of Equality 7-2521 are not actually selfish but are truly selfless. Extending on this though, I would then have to say that the reworded question “When a character acts selfishly against the prevailing vice(s) of the dominant social order, true virtue exhibits itself?” does not make sense. I guess it depends on your values and your thoughts on being selfish, but I think that if you are exhibiting true virtue by acting against a prevailing vice, it is for the better good, and will help other people than just one. Hence, it would not make sense that a selfish act against a prevailing vice of a dominant social order would allow true virtue to exhibit itself. This is because in my opinions of virtuous behaviour, acting selfishly does not allow true virtue to exhibit itself. 

           I would say that yes, there is possible conundrum with this book in relation to the question  “When a character acts selfishly against the prevailing vice(s) of the dominant social order, true virtue exhibits itself?”. In the beginning of the text, Equality 7-2521 is always thinking of the rest of their society, and how the Council wants him to act, in comparison to what he really wants for himself. He acts the way he is told for other people, which is a selfless act. He puts his own wants and desires second to what other people want. Then, when Equality 7-2521 finds the tunnel and the light source, although he is disobeying his elders, he continues his work for the good of mankind. Although jumping out the window and fleeing from society because of his own personal wants could be looked at as selfish, in the long run, Equality 7-2521 is performing a difficult selfless act by putting themselves at risk. The conundrum is that it seems as though a selfish act (in regards to the story) leads to a selfless one, creating a cycle.