Ever read "The Fountainhead"?

[PookieGirl]

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I cited it as my favorite book read in the last few years for a school's secondary. Just wrote something quick but want to be sure fellow Fountainhead readers see my point. Any interest in reading it over? PM me if yes.

 

[Garuda]

I don't know if that's a good idea. That book has a heavily charged (and I would say rather unpopular) political message.

 

[PookieGirl]

I don't know if that's a good idea. That book has a heavily charged (and I would say rather unpopular) political message.

This is what I don't get. If this was my favorite book, why can't I write about it? It would be one thing if I agreed with the philosophy but I don't. Instead I am writing that the reason it was a favorite was because it stimulated me, was well written, and made me really question the author's individualistic philosophy. I had planned on saying that I disagree with her in this secondary. Do you still think I should not write about it? What is the "right" way to answer this question?

 

[rtmcad2319]

I cited it as my favorite book read in the last few years for a school's secondary. Just wrote something quick but want to be sure fellow Fountainhead readers see my point. Any interest in reading it over? PM me if yes.

That book is one of my favorites....Is it bad that I believe somewhat in her philosophy?..


Did you read Atlas Shrugged? (DO IT)

 

[bigbaubdi]

I wrote my PS last year on repudiating her doctrines and embracing altruism. I got a bit too political though, which was a mistake IMO.

 

[kush4444]

rand is the greatest philosopher of all time...atlas shrugged is her best book though. My advice though is to leave her out of your essays. Even i wouldn't touch her with a ten foot pole. Good luck.

 

[TTSD]

My most life-changing book was "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein. But its talk about cannibalism, heresay and group orgies make it a no-no.

 

[Garuda]

I think you may be able to pull it off.

Keep in mind that almost no one is going to read through the entirety of your essay. I applied to 28 schools last year, and had 10 interviews. At every single one of my interviews I got the distinct impression that my interviewer had briefly skimmed through my essays and jotted down a few key words which served as talking points.

I did a lot of political stuff in college. I had leadership in political organizations, which I was proud of and put down on my application. I'm not saying shy away from politics. But there's different kinds of politics. What I am saying is that Ayn Rand's politics are the kind that you shouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

A lot liberals consider Ayn Rand to be "right-wing", because of her bizarre worship of capitalism. Social liberals such as feminists typically dislike her (e.g. one of the main characters in the Fountainhead gets raped by a macho guy, and she seems to enjoy it). Then again, mainstream conservative Republicans are kind of freaked out by her because she's against religion. She summons strong responses from people, and they are usually negative ones.

So it's up to you. Do you really want someone skimming through your application, seeing that you've devoted an entire essay to Ayn Rand, then tossing it in the reject pile because of the uncomfortable feelings it's summoned up?

 

[G_Eagle]

I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged and read The Fountainhead in high school. I do agree that she has a third-party appeal as she would antagonize both Republicans and Democrats. I was glad to read her book, but I disagree with much of what she says. The best point she makes is that we shouldn't be second-handers, copying our lives after the achievements of others. We must produce things on our own. A "road less travelled" philosophy of life.

 

[kahoo99]

I've read her books too, i like atlas shrugged much better, disagree with a lot of her ideas, but what is the context of you discussing her? Was there a promt that said, discuss your favorite book? or like the U of Chicago discuss influences?

 

[mspe22med]

Like the last post, I wonder "what is the context". I have read most of Rand's books. I agree with most of her basic premises, but I would not call my self an objectivist. I guess I don't see the point in writing a secondary essay disagreeing with a philosopher. Well, I guess if you actually think altruism can work. Is that what you are getting at?

 

[leechy]

My most life-changing book was "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein. But its talk about cannibalism, heresay and group orgies make it a no-no.

👍

 

[jlee9531]

if it asked to state your favorite book and why, then go for it.

 

[CoffeeMug]

Ayn Rand is a ****ty philosopher and is an even ****tier writer. Anyone familiar with the basic history of industrial revolution will immediately see the problems with her thinking from page one and anyone who has read more than three books in their life will have serious trouble finishing her books. I don't need different characters to preach me the same thing over and over and over again for a thousand pages. If I did, I'd read the Bible.

 

[Sweet Tea]

Am I the only one who associates "The Fountainhead" with the movie "Dirty Dancing"? Yes? Hmm...I may have watched that movie just a few too many times. 😛

 

[elin]

Ayn Rand is a ****ty philosopher and is an even ****tier writer. Anyone familiar with the basic history of industrial revolution will immediately see the problems with her thinking from page one and anyone who has read more than three books in their life will have serious trouble finishing her books. I don't need different characters to preach me the same thing over and over and over again for a thousand pages. If I did, I'd read the Bible.

👍 👍 👍

I don't understand why people like her books. I guess her third-rate philosophy complements her crappy, overblown writing style.

ETA: Basing a PS around the Fountainhead is like writing a PS about liking Harry Potter.

 

[PookieGirl]

👍 👍 👍

I don't understand why people like her books. I guess her third-rate philosophy complements her crappy, overblown writing style.

ETA: Basing a PS around the Fountainhead is like writing a PS about liking Harry Potter.

Wow people are closed minded. First of all, I was not planning on writing a personal statement about her. Simply, a secondary app asked me my favorite book. QUite frankly, I don't have favorites of lots of things, including books. THis book stuck out because it is quite intellectual, different from many other philosophy books and is exceptionally well written. You can like a book without buying into its philosophy, and that is my case.

 

[CoffeeMug]

Wow people are closed minded.

Sometimes, the more open minded people try to be, the more close minded they become. Try reading Closing Of The American Mind by professor Allan Bloom. May be you should write your secondary about that.

THis book stuck out because it is quite intellectual

Are you kidding? Philosophy is the only discipline that isn't established to find answers: it exists to pose questions. All great philosophers have managed to pose questions that were not thought of before them, or at least tried to approach existing questions in innovative ways that gave insight into the problem that wasn't available before. Ayn Rand doesn't pose any new questions, nor does she approach existing ones in ways that allow us to think about them differently. Instead, she proposes solutions through her characters: already not a philosophical approach. Coupled with the fact that her solutions are plain crap, her book is hardly philosophical at all. Saying that this is your favorite book in your secondary tells something about you: your inability to differentiate innovation from populistic banter.

is exceptionally well written.

I'd argue that Ayn Rand has mastered the English language at a very primitive level. If she was a good writer, she wouldn't need to use up a thousand pages where two hundred is probably sufficient.

 

[elin]

Wow people are closed minded. First of all, I was not planning on writing a personal statement about her. Simply, a secondary app asked me my favorite book. QUite frankly, I don't have favorites of lots of things, including books. THis book stuck out because it is quite intellectual, different from many other philosophy books and is exceptionally well written. You can like a book without buying into its philosophy, and that is my case.

Ayn Rand's literature is looked down upon in both literary and philosophic circles. You may think "The Fountainhead" is 'intellectual' and 'well written,' but her exclusion from both canons speaks volumes. Some people may agree with you that Ayn Rand is great lit, the majority won't. Just like some people think Harry Potter is complicated, deep lit, and some don't. It's your choice, but if I were you, I would pick another book. Good luck. 🙂

 

[Phaedrus]

This is what I don't get. If this was my favorite book, why can't I write about it? It would be one thing if I agreed with the philosophy but I don't. Instead I am writing that the reason it was a favorite was because it stimulated me, was well written, and made me really question the author's individualistic philosophy. I had planned on saying that I disagree with her in this secondary. Do you still think I should not write about it? What is the "right" way to answer this question?

Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead are masterpieces, and writing about one of them shows that you are an intelligent, critical thinker. Works of philosophy are meant to be examined and challenged and it looks as if you are doing that--so good job.

P.S. Individualism and Objectivism are amazing and inspiring philosophical frameworks.

 

[dmk724]

I'd argue that Ayn Rand has mastered the English language at a very primitive level. If she was a good writer, she wouldn't need to use up a thousand pages where two hundred is probably sufficient.

Have to agree with that statement. The woman really should have ended her passionate love affair with the soliloquy.

 

[CoffeeMug]

Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead are masterpieces

In what universe?

 

[Darko]

People like Ayn Rand for her philosophy, not her writing ability. She does have a refreshing ideology not found in any other literary circles, but she cannot write.

My 10th grade social sciences teacher actually told us to skip entire chapters of "Atlas Shrugged" because it was so repetitive. I tried reading them anyway, but they were drier than the catalogue of ships in The Iliad.

 

[Phaedrus]

In the only universe that really matters--mine. Reading the works of Rand has caused me to view and think about the world differently. Many of the philosophical foundations of individualism/objectivism work with my personal world views (including my Christian values), some do not.
I don't need to defend Rand's philosophical views in this forum, her work does that for her.
Again, responding to the original poster--writing a critique of any philosophical work shows that you are an intelligent, critical thinker.

"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." Ayn Rand


P.S. Attempting to discredit Rand's philosophy by attacking her writing style is nothing more than an ad hominem logical fallacy. A thoughtful critique of her philosophical arguments would be more appropriate. Kant is an awful writer, but philosophers don't critique his writing style, but rather, his arguments. Rand also has a unique writing style (building a fictional novel around a philosophical framework) in the Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged that works for me, but indeed, not for all. Maybe you would prefer her shorter philosophical works that leave out the fiction? I would suggest Philosophy: Who Needs It, For the New Intellectual, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, or The Virtue of Selfishness.

 

[Sweet Tea]

It makes me sad that no one commented on my "Dirty Dancing" reference.

*goes back to singing "I've had the time of my life"*

 

[jlee9531]

It makes me sad that no one commented on my "Dirty Dancing" reference.

*goes back to singing "I've had the time of my life"*

its why people dont migrate from the lounge to preallo....😉

 

[CoffeeMug]

In the only universe that really matters--mine.

There is a very big difference between liking chocolate chip cookies and liking a paper that suggests two equals three. Your personal feelings about Ayn Rand's philosophy and what it means to you are completely irrelevant because we're not talking about cookies here.

Again, responding to the original poster--writing a critique of any philosophical work shows that you are an intelligent, critical thinker.

Ayn Rand's work is only considered philosophical by people who have a very primitive understanding of philosophy.

P.S. Attempting to discredit Rand's philosophy by attacking her writing style is nothing more than an ad hominem logical fallacy.

The two attacks were separate. The fact that her works only contain thoughts that are either worthless or stolen from others is very destinct from the fact that she's a terrible writer. As for critique of her arguments, her complete lack of understanding of the complexity of human nature and her demented views of a desirable social structure are self evident. Her obvious disregard for benefits of altruism didn't tip you off?

 

[elin]

In the only universe that really matters--mine. Reading the works of Rand has caused me to view and think about the world differently. Many of the philosophical foundations of individualism/objectivism work with my personal world views (including my Christian values), some do not.
I don't need to defend Rand's philosophical views in this forum, her work does that for her.
Again, responding to the original poster--writing a critique of any philosophical work shows that you are an intelligent, critical thinker.

"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." Ayn Rand


P.S. Attempting to discredit Rand's philosophy by attacking her writing style is nothing more than an ad hominem logical fallacy. A thoughtful critique of her philosophical arguments would be more appropriate. Kant is an awful writer, but philosophers don't critique his writing style, but rather, his arguments. Rand also has a unique writing style (building a fictional novel around a philosophical framework) in the Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged that works for me, but indeed, not for all. Maybe you would prefer her shorter philosophical works that leave out the fiction? I would suggest Philosophy: Who Needs It, For the New Intellectual, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, or The Virtue of Selfishness.

When you write a PS, the only universe that matters is that of your reader. Many readers would be less than impressed with someone that cites The Fountainhead as his/her favorite novel.

No one is discrediting Rand's philosophy by attacking her writing style. Her philosophy is unsophisticated, so it fails as a philosophy. Her writing style is awful, so the novel cannot be considered a great piece of literature.

 

[Asclepius]

The choice is...do you want to tailor your application to the pretentious snobs, or do you want to be honest?

Yeah, one would probably make a better impression by discussing his own translation of Hegel's Phenomenology of Mind. ...that would an accomplishment., but you're not going to impress anybody by name dropping favorite books. Pick the one that you've actually thought about, that will give you a chance to explain your motivations to study medicine.

If it's the Fountainhead, then great; it is a good and important book, despite what the experts here (and "the majority" of philosophers and literary critics that make decisions for them) say.

 

[superdevil]

Originally Posted by elin
Her philosophy is unsophisticated, so it fails as a philosophy.

note to self: the defining trait of tenable philosophy is sophistication.

Originally Posted by CoffeeMug
There is a very big difference between liking chocolate chip cookies and liking a paper that suggests two equals three. Your personal feelings about Ayn Rand's philosophy and what it means to you are completely irrelevant because we're not talking about cookies here.

i think what CoffeeMug is getting at is that liking ayn rand is not a matter of taste--it is a factual matter of right and wrong. apparently you are wrong.

aren't you gald that SDN exists? if not, you may trick yourself into thinking your opinions are relevant and valid, which of course, they are not. have a nice day! 🙄

 

[Phaedrus]

Ayn Rand's work is only considered philosophical by people who have a very primitive understanding of philosophy.

Shoot. You are totally right. I wasted four years and am burning my B.A. as we speak.

The fact that her works only contain thoughts that are either worthless or stolen from others is very distinct from the fact that she's a terrible writer.

Woah. Slow down Coffee. I thought we weren't talking about cookies? Do you see how hypocritical and inane your argument is? You want us to believe that you are entitled to your "correct" opinion and that my opinion is "incorrect" and therefore wrong, since anything that differs from your point of view must be wrong.
You must be able to realize (it might be hard, but just try) that ultimately the value of anything, especially philosophy, is judged by personal opinion.

As for critique of her arguments, her complete lack of understanding of the complexity of human nature and her demented views of a desirable social structure are self evident.

Sorry, this doesn't count as a critique of her arguments. It's more opinion. And you are entitled to your opinion, which I respect.
Note: You can't argue against something by saying that it is "self-evident." When the truth of a conclusion is assumed by the premises this is called begging the question--another logical fallacy.

Her obvious disregard for benefits of altruism didn't tip you off?

Nice work--this is almost an argument. Rand does give little regard for the benefits of altruism. Here's more of my (probably incorrect opinion):
I believe that she does this to emphasize her philosophy of rational self- interest opposing a collectivist welfare state, rather than to detract from the value of altruism. For me, rational self-interest and altruism are not mutually exclusive. When I help someone else, it benefits me as well. I don't know if my views are the same as Rand's, but I've never met a philosopher who fit me perfectly.

 

[Phaedrus]

note to self: the defining trait of tenable philosophy is sophistication.


i think what CoffeeMug is getting at is that liking ayn rand is not a matter of taste--it is a factual matter of right and wrong. apparently you are wrong.

aren't you gald that SDN exists? if not, you may trick yourself into thinking your opinions are relevant and valid, which of course, they are not. have a nice day! 🙄

 

[palatanmr6]

hmm coffeemug, have you read the book? 😉

 

[PookieGirl]

The choice is...do you want to tailor your application to the pretentious snobs, or do you want to be honest?

Yeah, one would probably make a better impression by discussing his own translation of Hegel's Phenomenology of Mind. ...that would an accomplishment., but you're not going to impress anybody by name dropping favorite books. Pick the one that you've actually thought about, that will give you a chance to explain your motivations to study medicine.

If it's the Fountainhead, then great; it is a good and important book, despite what the experts here (and "the majority" of philosophers and literary critics that make decisions for them) say.

THe problem is that I don't have a favorite book, just as I don't have favorites of many things. I read books and some I like better than others. So in this situation, how would one write about their favorite book if indeed they didn't have one? I feel that AdComs would see it as a cop out to not answer the question, or to answer it with "I don't have one."

By now, I've seen what Ayn Rand evokes in terms of people's reactions so I'll be sure to steer clear.

 

[Howard Roark]

I talked about Ayn Rand as my favorite author at one interview and DID NOT GET IN but was accepted at better schools. Be careful - there are a lot of socialist scum out there and they might hold it against you.
good luck



.

 

[dmk724]

I talked about Ayn Rand as my favorite author at one interview and DID NOT GET IN but was accepted at better schools. Be careful - there are a lot of socialist scum out there and they might hold it against you.
good luck
.

Whoa - socialist scum?? That's an interesting point of view.

 

[dmoney41]

I talked about Ayn Rand as my favorite author at one interview and DID NOT GET IN but was accepted at better schools.

Hard to imagine... her philosophy (if you want to call it that) is so in line with what medical schools espouse and expect from their applicants.

Oh wait, that's completely false.

 

[Sweet Tea]

its why people dont migrate from the lounge to preallo....😉

doh! my bad. 😛

 

[Swack]

I'm about to finish the book, I have 100 pages or so left. I thought it was very interesting and entertaining. It doesn't sound like her philosophy would fly in the real world though, but it's interesting to read about 👍.